Minnesota Opera Postpones 'The Many Deaths of Laila Starr' World Premiere Amid Contract Negotiations

Show stopper: Minnesota Opera postpones premiere, locks out orchestra

The Minnesota Opera postponed this weekend’s world premiere of “The Many Deaths of Laila Starr” as contract talks with the musicians broke down. Management said the performance will be rescheduled. The opera orchestra is planning a free concert.

Minnesota Opera postpones 'The Many Deaths of Laila Starr' world premiere amid contract negotiations

The Minnesota Opera postponed the Halloween premiere of “The Many Deaths of Laila Starr” until at least late 2027 amid negotiations with the Minnesota Opera Orchestra.

BREAKING NEWS: Opening of The Many Deaths of Laila Starr Postponed (MN Opera) – Twin Cities Arts Reader

Minnesota Opera has postponed the world premiere of The Many Deaths of Laila Starr. The new opera by Kamala Sankaram and Minita Gandhi was previously scheduled to Oct. 31 and Nov. 8, 2026 and was set to star Leela Subramaniam, Omar Najmi, Efraín Solís, Mariam Mouawad, Ashraf Sewailam, and Emily Finke. In a statement, MN Opera noted, It is with profound disappointment that MN Opera announces the postponement of the world premiere of The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, which will be rescheduled. Given the Musician Union’s public expressions of its commitment to the production despite ongoing negotiations, MN Opera proposed a temporary no-strike/no-lockout agreement that would ensure the orchestra receives retroactive pay increases for the performance once a new agreement is reached. The Union refused to make this commitment. MN Opera cannot responsibly place our patrons, artists and creative teams in a position where a premiere performance must be cancelled after guests are seated and artists are in costume and ready to perform. To everyone who purchased a ticket, made a donation, or otherwise supported this remarkable production, we are immeasurably grateful. Refunds, exchanges, and future application of ticket cost will be accommodated. All artists, including orchestra musicians, will be paid their fees for this season’s production as originally contracted. We are determined to bring this remarkable work to audiences in the future under circumstances that honor its creative ambition and the people responsible for realizing it. For more information regarding the postponement or negotiation updates, please visit mnopera.org/negotiations.