Ildar Abdrazakov will open the 2018-19 Teatro alla Scala season.

La Stagione announced the news in a monthly opera calendar. The opera will be directed by Davide Livermore, who will be directing a new production of “Don Pasquale” at La Scala this season, and will be conducted by Riccardo Chailly. According to the article, Sonya Yoncheva is rumored to be singing the role of Odabella, but nothing has been confirmed.

Abdrazakov has performed the role of “Attila” around the world including the Mariinsky Theatre, Astana Opera, Opera de Monte-Carlo, and the Metropolitan Opera. He takes on the role at the Grand Theatre Liceu this season.

The Teatro alla Scala has put an emphasis on Italian opera to open the season over the past few seasons. Since Riccardo Chailly became music director, the company has opened with “Giovanna d’Arco,” “Madama Butterfly’ and “Andrea Chénier.”