This past month the Salzburg Landestheater premiered a new production of “Aida” with a cast of rising stars and well-established singers. Now as the production continues its run, a new Amneris is taking over the rest of the run.

Julia Rutigliano will make her role debut as Amneris, a role that the mezzo notes is a milestone.

In a statement to OperaWire, the mezzo said, “Salzburg is a synonym of Music, you can feel and breathe it in every corner of the city. Every time I am here and I have the possibilities to enjoy the city I discover hidden treasures and places connected to the music history. Being here to perform is absolutely thrilling and the emotion is even bigger when you have the opportunity to sing at the Felsenreitschule. In 1948, Herbert von Karajan conducted the first opera performance here, Gluck’s ‘Orfeo and Euridice’ and since that year this legendary and huge stage has hosted many unforgettable performances and artists.”

She added, “Making here my role debut as Amneris is an incredible emotion and responsibility. Since Maestro Karajan’s age Verdi and Salzburg established a deep connection, but ‘Aida’ wasn’t performed so much, only four times (1979 and 1980 conducted by Mº von Karajan, 2017 conducted by Mº Muti and finally in 2022), but never on the spectacular stage of the Felsenreitschule. I have the pleasure of singing my first Amneris with the General Music Director of the Salzburger Landestheater, Mº Leslie Suganandarajah, a wonderful young conductor who wonderfully supports the voices and possesses a deep sensitivity for the theatrical reasons of this music. Andreas Gergen in his production faces the challenges of this huge space in an incredible way, creating a futuristic, monumental Aida, where he has been able to enhance the duality between the public/political realm and the private feelings of the characters. I’m looking forward to being on the stage and giving all my emotions to Amneris. It’s a dream come true.”

Rutigliano is an established opera singer who has become well-known for her performances in “Carmen,” as well as numerous Wagnerian roles. She has also performed at the Festspielhaus in Baden- Baden, Semperoper Dresden, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Staatsoper Unter der Linden, and the Teatro San Carlo.

Following her performances as Amneris, Rutigliano will perform at the Volkstheater Rostock.

Recordings

To discover more of the mezzo’s work here are clips of her signature “Carmen.”