One of the unique features of the Bayerische Staatsoper is its summer festival, the “Festspiele” which features a plethora of opera and ballet during the summer months. Here is a survey of what’s in store for those interested in an operatic summer in Munich.

New Productions

New productions of “Parsifal” and “Orlando Paladino” will get showcases in the summer, both major draws for different reasons. “Parsifal,” which features a new production by Pierre Audi starting on June 28, 2018, has a superstar cast that features Jonas Kaufmann, Nina Stemme and René Pape among others.

“Orlando Paladino,” which also has a solid cast, is rarely performed and is a major curiosity for any big opera lover. That production kicks off on July 23, 2018.

There will also be revivals of “From the House of the Dead” and “Le Nozze di Figaro,” both of which will be featured as new productions during the fall of the new season.

Major Revivals

There will be a total of 13 revivals for the festival including Wagner’s “Ring Cycle” which will star Jonas Kaufmann in the second installment, “Die Walküre.”

Other operas on offer include “Der Fliegende Holländer,” “Arabella,” “L’Elisir d’Amore,” “Tosca,” “Il Trittico” and “La Traviata.”

Among the major stars to perform in these revivals will be Diana Damrau, Charles Castronovo, Anna Netrebko, Anja Harteros, Joseph Calleja, Vittorio Grigolo, Pretty Yende, Eva-Maria Westbroek and Adrianne Pieczonka.

Recitals

Anja Harteros, Rolando Villazón, Krassimira Stoyanova, Elisabeth Kulman, Piotr Beczala and Günther Groissböck will all give recitals while Edita Gruberova will get a gala performance on July 3.