Aug 12, 2026 – 11.26amThe future of Opera Australia’s signature event, the annual Handa Opera On Sydney Opera, is in limbo over a funding dispute with its patron, reclusive Japanese billionaire Haruhisa Handa.Opera Australia announced its 2027 season on Wednesday with two glaring omissions – there was no mention of the annual spectacle over the water at Mrs Macquarie’s Steps, nor of a major musical.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles