Oliver Mears Addresses Anna Netrebko’s Return to the Royal Ballet & Opera

https://operawire.com/oliver-mears-addresses-anna-netrebkos-return-to-the-royal-ballet-opera/

In anticipation of the opening night of the Royal Ballet and Opera’s new production of “Tosca,” Oliver Mears is addressing the casting of Anna Netrebko. In a new interview with the New York Times, Mears said it was the right time to bring the soprano back after six years and noted that it is her artistry that distinguishes her. He {…}

News

Cast Change: Francesco Pio Galasso Jumps into ‘La Gioconda’

https://operawire.com/cast-change-francesco-pio-galasso-jumps-into-la-gioconda/

The Greek National Opera has announced a cast change for its production of “La Gioconda.” The company said, “We announce that the role of Enzo Grimaldo will be performed by the tenor Francesco Pio Galasso in all performances of ‘La Gioconda.’ The tenor Arsen Soghomonyan will not participate in the production.” Galasso has performed at the Teatro San Carlo di {…}

News

Royal Opera House’s ‘Tosca’ Headed to Cinemas

https://operawire.com/royal-opera-houses-tosca-headed-to-cnemas/

(Credit: Marco Brenner) The Royal Opera House is set to bring Puccini’s “Tosca” to cinemas on Oct. 1, 2025. The new production by Oliver Mears is conducted by Music Director Jakub Hrůša and stars Anna Netrebko, Freddie De Tommaso, and Gerald Finley. When the production opened on Sept 11, critics raved and said, Netrebko’s “‘Vissi d’arte’ was excellent, dripping with {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Royal Ballet & Opera 2025-26 Review: Tosca

https://operawire.com/royal-ballet-opera-2025-26-review-tosca/

(Credit: Marc Brenner) I’ve previously opined that Puccini’s Tosca is perhaps among the least plausible of tales in the repertory and that the problem with long-running or much revived productions is that, unless you can constantly attract new audiences, they can only stand the test of time for so long. This Oliver Mears’ exciting new production has the potential to {…}

News

Ukrainian Artists Criticize Royal Ballet & Opera for Hiring Anna Netrebko; Soprano’s Manager Responds

https://operawire.com/ukrainian-artists-criticize-royal-ballet-sopranos-manager-responds/

(Credit Vladimir Shirokov) As Anna Netrebko prepares her return to the Royal Ballet and Opera, MPs and Ukrainian artists have signed a letter against the soprano’s appearances. In a letter sent to the Guardian, the artists and MP claim that Netrebko is “a symbol of cultural propaganda for a regime responsible for war crimes.” They also question if the “Royal {…}

News

Royal Ballet & Opera Director Speaks Out About Palestinian Protest in Internal Email

https://operawire.com/royal-ballet-opera-director-speaks-out-about-palestinian-protest-in-internal-email/

The Royal Ballet & Opera House Artistic Director, Oliver Mears, is speaking out about the Palestinian protest on July 19 after he attempted to grab a Palestinian flag being unfurled by an actor during the curtain call. In a recent internal email to the company obtained by the Times and Guardian, Mears described the entire incident as “a messy and {…}

News

Royal Ballet & Opera Cancels ‘Tosca’ Production at Israeli National Opera

https://operawire.com/royal-ballet-opera-cancels-tosca-production-at-israeli-national-opera/

The Royal Ballet and Opera has pulled its “Tosca” production from the Israeli National Opera’s 2026 season in Tel Aviv. The news comes following internal pressure from its staff, and the decision was communicated to Royal Ballet and Opera employees on Aug. 1. In a statement, Alex Beard, chief executive of the Royal Ballet and Opera, said, “We have made {…}

News

Royal Opera House Performer Raises Palestinian Flag During Curtain Call

https://operawire.com/royal-opera-house-performer-raises-palestinian-flag-during-curtain-call/

A cast member from the Royal Opera House raised a Palestinian flag on stage during the curtain call on July 19, 2025. According to the Telegraph, the cast member was a ‘Queer dance artist,’ Daniel Perry, who took to the flag during the curtain call of the closing night of the Royal Opera House. The BBC reported that the Royal {…}

News, Season Announcement

Aleksandra Kurzak, Anita Rachvelishvili, Anna Pirozzi, Roberto Algana, Cellia Costea & Marina Viotti Lead Greek National Opera’s 2025-26 Season

https://operawire.com/aleksandra-kurzak-anita-rachvelishvili-anna-pirozzi-roberto-algana-cellia-costea-marina-viotti-lead-greek-national-operas-2025-26-season/

The Greek National Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. Fabrizio Ventura conducts Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda” with Oliver Mears directing. Anna Pirozzi stars alongside Alisa Kolosova, Tassos Apostolou, Anita Rachvelishvili, Arsen Soghomonyan, Francesco Pio Galasso, and Dimitri Platanias. Performance Dates: Oct. 19-Nov. 7, 2025 Aleksandra Kurzak and Cellia Costea star in Puccini’s “Tosca” alongside Marcelo Puente, Roberto Alagna, Dimitri Platanias, and Tassis {…}

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Oliver Mears Addresses Anna Netrebko’s Return to the Royal Ballet & Opera

Cast Change: Francesco Pio Galasso Jumps into ‘La Gioconda’

Royal Opera House’s ‘Tosca’ Headed to Cinemas

Royal Ballet & Opera 2025-26 Review: Tosca

Ukrainian Artists Criticize Royal Ballet & Opera for Hiring Anna Netrebko; Soprano’s Manager Responds

Royal Ballet & Opera Director Speaks Out About Palestinian Protest in Internal Email

Royal Ballet & Opera Cancels ‘Tosca’ Production at Israeli National Opera

Royal Opera House Performer Raises Palestinian Flag During Curtain Call

Aleksandra Kurzak, Anita Rachvelishvili, Anna Pirozzi, Roberto Algana, Cellia Costea & Marina Viotti Lead Greek National Opera’s 2025-26 Season