BREAKING NEWS: Opening of The Many Deaths of Laila Starr Postponed (MN Opera) Arts Music Opera Theatre by Twin Cities Arts Reader - October 27, 2026 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. About Latest Posts Twin Cities Arts ReaderThe Twin Cities Arts Reader is an arts and lifestyles magazine whose coverage examines arts and selected activities in the state of Minnesota and across the country. It provides in-depth, critical arts coverage and reaches more than 600,000 readers per year. Latest posts by Twin Cities Arts Reader (see all) BREAKING NEWS: Opening of The Many Deaths of Laila Starr Postponed (MN Opera) - October 27, 2026 NEWS: Hennepin Arts’ New President and CEO is Coming Home - October 21, 2026 FRINGE FILE #23: Mini-Reviews #4 – Magical %$@!s, The Shire/Surge, and Anna - August 10, 2026 Share on Facebook Share Share on TwitterTweet