This week’s picks are all about debuts. We’re talking about house debuts for artists, house debuts for operas, and in one case a role and house debut all in one. It’s going to be a fun weekend with the biggest challenge likely coming down to where you want to be on Saturday night.

Orfeo ed Euridice – Florida Grand Opera

Anthony Roth Costanzo makes his Florida Grand Opera debut as Orfeo in the famed work by Gluck. He appears in the Saturday performance, though the opera does have a Sunday showcase to go along with it. Simply put, this is one of the great operas and will showcase one of the great artists around.

The Invention of Morel – Long Beach Opera

Long Beach Opera presents “The Invention of Morel,” which had its world premiere a year ago at the Chicago Opera Theater. The two companies co-commissioned the work, which was created by Jonathan Moore and Stewart Copeland (yes, THE Stewart Copeland of The Police). OperaWire spoke at length with both a year ago on the experience of creating work. It makes its Long Beach premiere on Saturday.

Fellow Travelers – Lyric Opera of Chicago

On Saturday, the Lyric Opera of Chicago presents the opera by composer Gregory Spears and librettist Greg Pierce. The LGBT film has received great acclaim and is set to star Jonas Hacker, and Joseph Lattanzi as the two leads. It will be the Chicago premiere of the opera.

Hear what director Kevin Newbury has to say about the work, which premieres on Saturday, March 17.

Moby-Dick – Pittsburgh Opera

This is the first time that the company will showcase the famed opera by Jake Heggie. Everywhere it has gone, it has been a smashing success. Don’t expect any different this time around. Saturday will mark the big occasion for both the company and the opera.

Check out an excerpt of the opera to get excited:

Florencia en el Amazonas – San Diego Opera

The famed opera by Daniel Catán gets a major production in San Diego and will feature the debut of soprano Elaine Alvarez in a her role debut as the famed diva.

Why go see it? Simply put, a talented, up-and-coming artist in an opera that certainly deserves far more recognition than it is currently getting. The opening night is on Saturday, March 17, 2018.

Learn more about the opera courtesy of this podcast from the company itself.