The Teatro Filarmonico is Verona has found a new Don Giovanni for its upcoming production of the Mozart opera.

The company said that Christian Federici will sing the title role, replacing the originally announced Ildart Abdrazakov.

Abdrazakov was forced to withdraw after the company faced backlash from political figures like Pina Picierno and the Alexei Navalny Foundation, who called for bass’ dismissal from the theater due to his ties to Putin.

Federici has performed at the Teatro Bonci, Opéra de Marseille, Teatro Verdi Salerno, Teatro Real de Madrid, and Royal Opera House, among others.

He joins a cast that includes Paolo Bordogna, Ramaz Chikviladze, Gilda Fiume, Iván Ayón Rivas, Marta Torbidoni, Emma Fekete, and Alessandro Abis. Francesco Lanzillotta conducts the production by Enrico Stinchelli.

Don Giovanni opens on Jan. 18 and runs through Jan. 25, 2026.

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