(Credit: Bern Uhlig)

On Oct. 2, 2024, the Berlin State Opera will open a new production of “Nabucco.” The production is one of the high-profile profile productions of the year due to its two leads. Luca Salsi, one of the world’s great baritones, takes on the title role, and Anna Netrebko will sing the role of Abigaille for the first time in a staged production.

Abigaille is one of the most difficult soprano roles in the repertoire due to its extreme vocal shifts from the highs to lows. After many canceling the role in London and Vienna, Netrebko finally sang her first performances of Abigaille in Wiesbaden in two concert performances that critics hailed. Critics said she was “more than convincing” and that “Her last great aria with the plea for forgiveness is the artistic and human event of this evening.” Additionally, they said Netrebko “lent the part all her vocal abilities and revealed interesting facets about this evil character.”

The role marks her latest Verdi opera, the composer she has most often performed. Thus far the soprano has sung the roles of Violetta in “La Traviata,” Gilda in “Rigoletto,” Nannetta in “Falstaff,” the title roles of “Aida” and “Giovanna d’Arco,” Leonora in “Il Trovatore” and “La Forza del Destino,” Lady Macbeth in “Macbeth,” and Elisabetta in “Don Carlo.” She is set to add Amelia in “Un Ballo in Maschera” in 2025.

And for those not in Berlin for the upcoming performances Netrebko is set to make role debuts in “Ariadne auf Naxos” and Lisa in “Pique Dame.” She is also set to open the Teatro alla Scala for the seventh time in a new production of “La Forza del Destino.”

Recordings

Some of the soprano’s recent Verdi recordings include “Don Carlo” from La Scala and “Aida” from the Arena di Verona and the Wiener Staatsoper. There are also recordings of “Macbeth” and “Il Trovatore” that are highly acclaimed.

Here she is in “Il Trovatore” and “Aida.”