(Credit: Facebook/Elsa Dreisig-Paris Opera)

The Berlin State Opera has announced a cast change for its production of Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette.”

The company said that Elsa Dresig and Maria Kokareva will take over the role of Juliette replacing Aida Garifullina, who was originally announced.

Driesig will sing the role on Nov. 10, 20, 21, and 24 while Kokareva will sing the role on Nov. 13.

Diresig is well known for her interpretation of the opera having performed it at the Paris Opera. Of her interpretation, OperaWire said, “Dreisig managed to move well between the more recitative parts of the aria and the refrain, making it all sound like part of a larger monologue.”  Meanwhile, Kokareva has performed at the Teatro alla Scala and is a member of the opera studio of Staatsoper Unter den Linden.

Both sopranos will join a cast that includes Amitai Pati, Marina Prudenskaya, Johan Krogius, Ema Nikolovska, and Nicolas Testé. Stefano Montanari conducts the new production by Mariame Clément.

The production returns in May with a new cast featuring Nino Machaidze and Long Long.