If you waited until early autumn to buy tickets for “The Phantom of the Opera”, the Bucharest National Opera’s calendar brings disappointing news: all 13 performances announced for September are marked “Sold Out”. That does not mean you have to give up on a musical outing, however.

The ONB programme also includes “Sinfonia do Brasil”, with a link to ticket sales. Other venues across Bucharest offer Puccini, orchestral concerts and even free-admission events. For those willing to travel outside the city, the Brașov Opera’s programme provides further options to explore.

Information checked on 1 September 2026. Ticket availability may change; where seats could not be confirmed, this is explicitly stated.

“The Phantom of the Opera”: 13 performances, all marked “Sold Out”

At the Bucharest National Opera, “The Phantom of the Opera” accounts for most of the published September programme. Every performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical is scheduled to begin at 18:30.

According to the official September 2026 calendar, tickets are sold out for the following dates:

• 3, 4, 5 and 6 September;
• 8 and 9 September;
• 11 and 12 September;
• 15, 16 and 17 September;
• 20 and 21 September.

The distinction between the institution and the type of performance matters: “The Phantom of the Opera” is a musical, even though it is staged at an opera house. Anyone specifically looking for opera should choose alternatives by title and composer, not simply by the venue’s name.

For 22–30 September, the calendar consulted did not list any additional events. Their absence should not be interpreted as an announcement that the institution is closed or that further performances cannot be added.

“Sinfonia do Brasil”, the concert scheduled for 18 September

The same calendar includes “Sinfonia do Brasil – A Concert Dedicated to Brazil’s Independence Day”, scheduled for Friday, 18 September, at 18:30. The event brings together Mădălina Ioana Petre, performing on classical guitar and vocals, and the Bucharest National Opera Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Jinga.

The programme combines orchestral repertoire, guitar and Brazilian music. Works by Radamés Gnattali, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, Heitor Villa-Lobos and other composers have been announced. It is an option for those interested in a concert evening rather than a staged opera. Details are available in the official event presentation.

At the time of checking, the concert had an active “Buy tickets” option, including on its ticketing page. However, actual seat availability could not be confirmed through the seating plan. “Sinfonia do Brasil” can therefore be described as listed for ticket sales, but this does not guarantee that seats remain available in a particular category.

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Puccini in Bucharest: “Gianni Schicchi” at the Comic Opera for Children

For anyone wishing to hear opera without leaving the capital, one alternative is Giacomo Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” at the Comic Opera for Children, located at 16 Calea Giulești. The production is performed in the Main Hall and is recommended for audiences aged 7 and over.

The story turns a disputed inheritance into a comedy about greed and ingenuity. It also features the celebrated aria “O mio babbino caro”. With a running time of approximately one hour, the production may suit families looking for a first introduction to opera. Information about the staging is available on the official “Gianni Schicchi” page.

The venue’s programme lists performances on:

• 5 September at 17:00;
• 6 September at 11:00;
• 11 September at 18:30;
• 12 September at 17:00;
• 13 September at 11:00.

For the performance on 5 September, the official platform showed available seats when checked. The displayed ticket prices ranged from 40 to 70 lei, depending on the category. You can go directly to the tickets for “Gianni Schicchi” on 5 September.

Availability for this performance should not automatically be assumed for the other dates. If you are attending with family or a group, also check whether the remaining seats are together.

At the Athenaeum: a final with tickets on sale and free-admission sessions

If you also enjoy instrumental music, the Romanian Athenaeum offers another option. September 2026 features events from the George Enescu International Competition, not the Enescu Festival. These are concerts and recitals, rather than opera performances.

One specific option is the Cello Section Final on Monday, 7 September, at 18:00, featuring the Romanian National Radio Orchestra conducted by Case Scaglione. At the time of checking, Category I tickets were listed for purchase at 200 lei, while Category II tickets and the associated reduced-price tickets appeared sold out. Current availability can be checked on the Cello Final ticket page.

Not every final is an available alternative, however: the Violin Final on 13 September and the Piano Final on 19 September appeared under unavailable events on the competition’s official ticketing platform.

There are also options that do not require a ticket. According to the official Enescu Competition programme, admission to the first part of the semi-finals at the Athenaeum is free:

• 5 September at 10:00 — Cello Semi-final;
• 11 September at 10:00 — Violin Semi-final;
• 17 September at 10:00 — Piano Semi-final.

Free admission applies to the morning sessions, not to the second part of the semi-finals, scheduled for 16:00. These sessions offer an opportunity to hear young musicians competing, in a setting different from an established artist’s recital.

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Beyond Bucharest: what the Brașov Opera has announced

For opera lovers willing to turn a performance into a short getaway, the Brașov Opera has two titles worth considering. Both are scheduled at its venue at 51 Bisericii Române Street.

According to the Brașov Opera’s official calendar, the options include:

• “The Barber of Seville” by Gioachino Rossini
  • Saturday, 12 September, at 18:30.
  • An opera performance conducted by Traian Ichim.
• “A Night in Venice” by Johann Strauss II
  • Saturday, 19 September, at 18:30.
  • An operetta performance conducted by Mircea Holiartoc.

These performances are confirmed in the programme, but seat availability could not be independently verified. Before booking transport or accommodation, check the ticket sales channel indicated by the institution or contact the box office on +40 268 419 380.

Your September choice therefore depends on the experience you are looking for. “Gianni Schicchi” offers opera in Bucharest, the Cello Final brings orchestral music and the excitement of competition to the Athenaeum, while Brașov is worth checking for Rossini and operetta. A “Sold Out” notice for your preferred performance does not close off the entire month’s cultural calendar, but it makes checking each individual event all the more worthwhile.