Winter Olympics 2026 opening ceremony review – disco-dancing opera masters upstage Mariah Carey

The Winter Olympics 2026 Opening Ceremony: A Disco-Dancing Opera Spectacle

The highly anticipated opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics 2026 descended upon the audience shrouded in mystery, with no clear indication of what was to come. The only concrete information was a list of musical performers, mostly classical names like Andrea Bocelli and Lang Lang, accompanied by an enigmatic quote from creative lead Marco Balich – "no hi-tech, no bling." This raised eyebrows, as attendees were left wondering if the event would be anything more than a typical spectacle.

While some might have been eager for intel, one could simply tune in to a tabloid live stream that suggested the ceremony might last an astonishing three hours. It was unclear whether this was meant to pique interest or serve as a warning. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had also expressed concerns about Team America potentially receiving a chilly welcome due to past controversies.

However, IOC President Christine Akiwa reassured everyone that she hoped for the opening ceremony to be seen as an opportunity for mutual respect among nations – a sentiment that seemed somewhat out of place given the recent politics surrounding Denmark.

Once the curtains opened, references to Roman mythology and 18th-century opera flooded the scene. Notable performances included appearances by Giorgio Armani-clad figures, who danced to Italo disco hits like Laura Pausini's "Vamos a la playa." A special tribute to the late Raffaella Carrà, known for her infamous Top of the Pops performance in 1978, added an intriguing layer to the proceedings.

While Mariah Carey's appearance seemed initially promising, her rendition of "Volare" was somewhat subdued – a marked departure from her typical style. Nonetheless, she managed to deliver an impressive whistle note that hinted at a segue into her recent single "Nothing Is Impossible."

The ceremony featured an athlete's parade that received a mixed reception from the crowd. The performances continued with a dance history of the Olympic Games, with popular classical music taking center stage – including Andrea Bocelli and Lang Lang. A brief appearance by Italian rapper Ghali failed to leave a lasting impression, given its relatively subdued tone.

One couldn't help but ponder what the opening ceremony for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 might have in store, considering Donald Trump's continued influence on the US government. The prospect of Kid Rock performing seemed almost inevitable – an event that would undoubtedly be... memorable.

I'm loving this! I mean, who needs fancy tech or bling when you've got Andrea Bocelli and Lang Lang belting out classics? The whole Roman mythology vibe was so cool ! And omg, the Giorgio Armani-clad figures dancing to Laura Pausini's "Vamos a la playa" were EVERYTHING . I'm still trying to wrap my head around that 3-hour ceremony though - would've loved to stay for it . And, yeah, no Kid Rock performing... can't say I'd want that . The only thing that would've made the whole event better is some sort of interactive element for live streaming viewers like us .

omg i'm so down with this winters olympics opening ceremony it was like a mix of classical music and disco dancing i loved how they did a tribute to raffaella carrà, she's such a legend and mariah carey's performance was pretty cool too although i did feel bad for the team america athletes looking at the controversy surrounding them ghali's rap tho was kinda meh

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole opera-disco thing... like what inspired it? Marco Balich's quote was super vague, and I'm surprised no one asked for more clarification beforehand. And what about the three-hour-long ceremony? Was that just a marketing ploy or something?

And don't even get me started on Team America's potential reception... Like, how can you guarantee mutual respect among nations when there are still so many issues unresolved? But I guess it was a nice sentiment from Christine Akiwa.

The Giorgio Armani-clad figures were pretty cool, though ! And that tribute to Raffaella Carrà was a great idea. I'm just not sure about Mariah Carey's performance... It was like she didn't want to be there or something .

But hey, at least the ceremony had some nice moments. And can we talk about how the athlete's parade was kinda underwhelming? Like, what were they expecting?

so i'm watching this winter olympics opening ceremony and it's defo not what i expected at all . no fancy tech or flashy lights, just opera and disco music . i was worried they'd mess up the vibe for america, but instead it felt kinda... nice? i mean, mariah carey's performance was a bit meh, but that one whistle note tho ! and ghali's rap section was kinda underwhelming . what really got me thinking though is how this relates to the next olympics in 2028 . will kid rock make an appearance? only time will tell

I'm still reeling from the opulence and eclecticism of the Winter Olympics 2026 opening ceremony . While it was initially unclear what to expect, the enigmatic "no hi-tech, no bling" statement by Marco Balich seemed like a bold move at first glance . The incorporation of Roman mythology and 18th-century opera was particularly noteworthy – a testament to the creative team's versatility .

The performance itself was an immersive spectacle that catered to diverse tastes . While some performances, like Mariah Carey's subdued rendition of "Volare," felt slightly out of place, they were far outweighed by the impressive whistle notes and nostalgic value . The athlete's parade received a mixed reaction from the crowd, but who can blame them for not being entirely enthralled when faced with 20 athletes in matching speedos ?

The afterglow will undoubtedly be filled with speculation regarding future ceremonies – particularly the highly anticipated Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 . Given Donald Trump's continued influence on US politics, a Kid Rock performance seems like a foregone conclusion . What I'm most looking forward to is how these events shape our collective cultural zeitgeist .

I'm low-key relieved they kept it old school with no fancy tech, you know? Sometimes I think those big events can get too much. I loved the disco vibes, though - who doesn't love a good ol' fashioned dance party?! The opera stuff was pretty cool too, especially that Raffaella Carrà tribute. But, gotta say, Mariah Carey's performance was kinda weird. I'm all for her, but that song choice didn't quite fit, if you ask me. Still, it was a great effort from her. And, omg, the thought of Kid Rock at the LA Olympics is giving me anxiety

omg u guys i just watched the winter olympics opening ceremony and it was SO COOL!!! they literally danced to disco music and had opera singers perform! i loved the part where giorgio armani-clad people did the Italo disco hits - so fetch! but mariah carey's performance kinda fell flat, her usual energy just wasn't there... anyway, the ceremony was so much fun and it seemed like they wanted to promote mutual respect among nations. i'm hyped for the rest of the games now!!

OMG can you even imagine a kid watching Mariah Carey sing "Volare" and not being wowed my little one was literally like "mom, why is she singing that weird song?!" I get what the creators were trying to do with the whole opera thing but for me it just felt like a snooze fest . And don't even get me started on Kid Rock at the Olympics... like who thought that was a good idea?! anyway, I'm still waiting for the part where they announce which Disney songs are going to be played during the closing ceremony

I was thinking about how weird it is that some people thought they knew what to expect from this ceremony just because there were no fancy tech elements . Like, does that even matter? And what's with the three-hour stream thingy? Sounds like a whole lotta drama for something that's supposed to be all about athletes and sports .

So, I'm kinda glad they actually went with this disco-opera vibe, though! It was pretty lit . I mean, who doesn't love some good ol' fashioned opera and dance? Even if Mariah Carey did seem a bit...off-key at times .

And can we talk about how the athlete's parade got lost in all the flashiness? I think it would've been cool to see some actual athletes making an entrance . But, hey, maybe that was just part of the plan all along?

I'm still curious what they have planned for LA 2028, though... You know, with Donald Trump and Kid Rock and all that jazz . Guess we'll just have to tune in then!

I'm so done with these opening ceremonies! Three hours long? What's next, a never-ending spectacle? I was expecting some actual Olympic spirit, but nope, it was all just fancy dance and music. I mean, what's the point of having an opera singer perform if you're not gonna go full-on disco? And that Ghali guy was so bland! I did love Andrea Bocelli though, he brought some much-needed class to the whole thing.

But honestly, can't we just stick with a simple parade and be done with it? This whole "mutual respect among nations" vibe is just so... cheesy. Can't they just leave politics out of it for one day? And what's up with the IOC being so worried about Team America getting cold shoulders from Denmark? Boo hoo, poor Americans. Get over yourselves!

I'm loving this Disco-Dancing Opera Spectacle for the Winter Olympics 2026! Who knew Andrea Bocelli and Lang Lang could bring the house down with their sick piano skills? The opera references were totally unexpected, but in a good way – like a secret ingredient that added depth to the whole thing. I was also down for the Giorgio Armani-clad figures dancing to Italo disco hits

But what really got me excited was the whistle note from Mariah Carey! That girl can still bring the heat, even if her rendition of "Volare" was a bit tame compared to her usual style. And that dance history segment? Totally mesmerizing!

I'm also intrigued by the mixed reception to the athlete's parade – some people loved it, while others were like, what's going on? I guess it's all about personal taste, right?

Now, can we please get some hints about the opening ceremony for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028?! Kid Rock performing? That's gotta be a wild ride...