(Credit: Elena Cherkashyna)

Tenor Xabier Anduaga has been around for a couple of years singing throughout Europe. But this past summer, he announced himself to the opera world at large when he became the winner of Operalia. Now he will further cement his position as he makes his return to the Donizetti Festival with “Lucrezia Borgia,” in his role debut as Gennaro.

This role will undoubtedly be a culmination of sorts for the tenor, who has made a solid career dominating the bel canto repertory. He has performed such roles as Arturo in “Lucia di Lammermoor,” Lindoro in “L’Italiana in Algeri,” Almaviva in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” Nemorino in “L’Elisir d’Amore” at such venues as the Opéra de Rouen Normandie, Palau de les Arts, Teatro Regio di Torino, Teatro Regio di Parma, and Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires, among many others. He also sang the role of Leicester in Donizetti’s rarely performed “Il Castell di Kenilworth last year when he made his debut at the Donizetti Opera Festival.

In reference to Gennaro, Anduaga has stated previously that he feels this role is perfect for his voice.

“It has very different dramatic qualities, as opposed to the other characters I am used to performing, so it is a new endeavor which I am happy to dive into. . . It will be a surprise,” he told OperaWire earlier this year.

Those that can’t be there for the big debut will still get a chance to check out his bel canto virtuosity in “La Cenerentola” at the Staatsoper Hamburg, “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” at the Opéra National de Paris and the Dallas Opera, as well as “Le Comte Ory” at the Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos in Lisbon.

Recordings

Those unfamiliar with the tenor can see him in a recording of Il Castell di Kenilworth with Carmela Remigio and Jessica Pratt.

Here he is in the final aria from “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.”