(Credit: Wiener Staatsoper-Michael Pohn / Teatro alla Scala – Marco Brescia & Rudy Amisano)

This weekend its all about the opening night of one of the most important theaters in the world. There will also be a historic world premiere in addition to a number of new productions, revivals and debuts that are important to look out for.

Les Contes d’Hofmann – Teatro Colón, Argentina

Ramón Vargas stars in the title role of Offenbach’s masterpiece with Rachele Gilmore, Virginia Tola, Milijana Nikolic, Rubén Amoretti, and Sophie Koch.

The second cast stars Rafael Álvarez, Homero Pérez Miranda, Paula Almerares, Oriana Favaro, María Luisa Merino Ronda, and Adriana Mastrángelo. Enrique Arturo Diemecke conducts the new production by Eugenio Zanetti.

Orlando – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria

Olga Neuwirth becomes the first woman composer commissioned by the Wiener Staatsoper nd her opera will make its big world premiere. Kate Lindsey sings the title role with a cast that also includes Constance Hauman, Anna Clementi, Eric Jurenas, Agneta Eichenholz, and Leigh Melrose. The production is directed by Polly Graham and conducted by Matthias Pintscher.

La Cenerentola – Staatsoper Hamburg, Germany

Xabier Anduaga makes his Hamburg debut as Ramiro with Annalisa Stroppa in the title role. Maurizio Muraro also stars in the cast alongside Kartal Karagedik. The production is conducted by Matteo Beltrami.

Lucrezia Borgia – Teatro Municipale Valli, Italy 

After a successful opening at the Donizetti Opera Festival, Andrea Bernard’s gripping production of Donizetti’s masterwork gets its first revival. Marko Mimica This time the cast stars Francesca Dotto in the title role, Francesco Castoro as Gennaro, and Veta Pilipenko as Orsini. Marko Mimica reprises his acclaimed role as Don Alfonso. Carla Delfrate conducts.

 Tosca – Teatro alla Scala, Italy

The Teatro alla Scala opens its 2019-20 season with a new production of Puccini’s masterpiece. Davide Livermore directs a new production with Anna Netrebko in the title role. She is joined by her frequent collaborators Francesco Meli and Luca Salsi. Riccardo Chailly conducts the production.

Don Pasquale – Opernhaus Zurich, Switzerland