b-seen Performing Arts
NovAria
Opera for today’s audiences
Founded in 2015 by the tenor and artistic director Sergi Giménez Carreras, the production company NovAria —as its name suggests— was established with a clear aim: to make opera more accessible and in tune with contemporary cultural tastes, breaking down barriers surrounding the genre through productions aimed specifically at those unfamiliar with classical music.
By focusing on major works from the traditional operatic repertoire, the uniqueness of their artistic approach lies not in contemporary reinterpretations or conceptual updates, but in choices regarding format and duration designed to create an emotional and enjoyable experience. All this is achieved without compromising on artistic quality, fidelity to the original works, or the genre’s distinctive language.
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La Traviata, Palau de la Música Catalana 2026 ©Damia Figueras
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Jofre Bardolet, the young new orchestral director ©Damia Figueras
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La Traviata, Palau de la Música Catalana 2026 ©Damia Figueras
Their productions remain entirely faithful to the original musical structure and dramatic composition, retaining a classic and recognisable staging style, but with a more intimate and immersive theatrical format. The absence of an orchestra pit brings the musicians, choir and soloists together on the same stage. The performances last approximately two hours, with a fifteen-minute interval.
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La Traviata, Palau de la Música Catalana 2026 ©Damia Figueras
To ensure the consistency of its approach, NovAria has its own in-house structure—production, artistic team and musical direction—which guarantees both the artistic quality and the viability of the format across a variety of venues. This stable framework also enables new generations of artists trained in Catalonia to take on leadership roles without being forced to look for work elsewhere, thereby consolidating local talent within the region itself.
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La Traviata, Palau de la Müsica Catalana, 2026 ©Damia Figueras
The 2026 Season
This year’s programme takes place across key venues on Barcelona’s cultural circuit, ranging from the grandeur of the Palau de la Música Catalana to the more intimate setting of the Casino Aliança in Poblenou. This diversity of venues allows NovAria to connect with both local audiences and visitors alike, becoming an integral part of the city’s opera season.
The productions selected for 2026 cover key milestones in traditional opera:
• Carmen, by Georges Bizet: The production that served as a pilot and the starting point for the NovAria project.
• Madama Butterfly, by Giacomo Puccini: A production in which the costumes take centre stage thanks to the original creations of Barcelona-based designer Josep Abril, combined with authentic pieces acquired in Japan.
• Turandot, by Giacomo Puccini: one of the most monumental works in the operatic repertoire is included this year to mark the centenary of its premiere.
• Tosca, by Giacomo Puccini: A landmark work for its dramatic intensity and the vocal and stage prowess of the singers.
• La Traviata, by Giuseppe Verdi: The season’s flagship production, as it marked the debut—on 22 February—of the new orchestral conductor, Jofre Bardolet.
At the age of 26, Bardolet —a violinist and conductor trained at the ESMUC and the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp— embodies the spirit of NovAria. With a career that already combines conducting and his own compositions (such as the opera *Ferides*), his arrival reinforces the company’s commitment to young local talent, bringing a youthful energy to the ensemble’s podium.
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Jofre Bardolet en La Traviata, 2026 @Damia Figueras
The 2026 season is already underway. You can view the full programme and purchase your tickets via the official NovAria website, a must-see for anyone looking for a fresh perspective on opera.
All photographies are by Damia Figueras, @normal.era.studio
