Five Stars To See At Zurich Opera’s 2017-18 Season

By Francisco Salazar

A plethora of stars will converge on Zürich’s 2017-18 season. Here is a look at the ones that we expect to shine the brightest and recommend you do your utmost to go watch.

Karita Mattila – ‘The Rise and Fall of Mahogany’ 

Anytime an audience member has a chance to see the legendary Finnish soprano, it is advisable that he or she jump at the chance. Mattila not only has an imposing voice but she is a consummate actress and brings to life any character she creates. As she continues to explore new parts in her repertoire, she has proven to become an even stronger performer. This upcoming season she will star in the leading role of Kurt Weill’s “The Rise and Fall of Mahogany” and it should be nothing more than spectacular.

Diana Damrau – Maria Stuarda

Damrau has long been considered one of the supreme Bel canto interpreters of our time and next season she will take on her first Queen in the Donizetti Tudor trilogy. After triumphs in “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “La Sonnambula” and “I Puritani,” Damrau will have a chance to showcase her dramatic skills in what is considered the diva assoluta repertoire. Alongside Javier Camarena, there will definitely be vocal fireworks you cannot miss.

Yonghoon Lee – Don Alvaro

The role of Alvaro in “La Forza del Destino” is considered one of the hardest in the tenor repertoire and one that requires a singer with strength and subtlety. Lee has dominated the Verdi repertoire in recent years, singing “Il Trovatore” and “Don Carlo” to great acclaim. With Don Alvaro, the tenor goes one step further into the dramatic repertoire and will become one of the few tenors currently performing this role.

Hibla Gerzmava – Leonora

Gerzmava has taken a wide range of repertoire from the coloratura to the dramatic lyric. This season Gerzmava will delve into the Verdi repertoire with roles including Elisabetta de Valois in “Don Carlo,” Desdemona in “Otello” and of course Leonora in “La Forza del Destino.” Gerzmava is quickly rising to fame and with her turn in this rarely heard work, Gerzmava should prove a unique choice.

Brandon Jovanovich – Parsifal

The Wagnerian tenor is a rare breed often making it hard to put on a Wagner opera. Over the years Jovanovich has performed numerous Wagner roles but has always made sure to mix them with other types of repertoire.  His excursions into “Lohengrin” and “Die Walküre” have been successful, obtaining rave reviews. Next season he adds the role of “Parsifal.” For fans of Jovanovich and Wagner fans, this not to be missed.

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