(Credit: Ruth Walz)

This weekend is all about new productions, a rarely performed work and an acclaimed run of performances in Paris. Here is what we recommend.

Viva La Diva – Salzburg Landsteater, Austria

Adrian Kelly conducts Stephen Medcalf’s production of the rarely performed work by Donizetti and librettist Gilardoni. The opera stars Anne-Fleur Werner, Raimundas Juzuitis,Hazel McBain, George Humphreys, Zsófia Mózer and Gustavo Quaresma.

Les Contes d’Hoffman – Opera de Paris, France

Mark Elder conducts Robert Carsen’s classic production with a cast that includes Michale Fabiano in the title role, Jodie Devos as Olympia,  Véronique Gens as Giuletta, Ailyn Pérez as Antonia and Gaëlle Arquez as Nicklausse.

Rigoletto -Komische Oper, Germany

Barrie Kosky’s production of “Rigoletto” makes its premiere with a stellar cast that includes Leonardo Capalbo, Nikoloz Lagvilava, Ekaterina Sadovnikova and Tijl Faveyts.

Der Rosenkavalier – Berlin Staatsoper, Germany

Zubin Mehta conducts a new production of R. Strauss and Hofmannsthal’s most popular work in a new production by André Heller. Camilla Nylund stars as the Marschallin alongside Günther Groissböck, Michèle Losier, Roman Trekel, Nadine Sierra, Anna Samuil, Karl-Michael Ebner, Katharina Kammerloher and Florian Hoffmann.

Il Trovatore – Teatro alla Scala, Italy

Francesco Meli stars in the title role of Verdi’s middle period masterpiece, written by Camarano. The Salzburg Festival production by Alvis Hermanis makes its La Scala premiere with a cast that includes Massimo Cavalletti, Liudmyla Monastyrska, and Violeta Urmana. Nicola Luisotti conducts.

Norma – Fundación Baluarte, Spanish

Francesca Sassu stars in the title role of Bellini and Romani’s masterpiece. Susana Cordón, Sergio Escobar and Simón Orfila star in Mario Pontiggia’s production. José Miguel Pérez-Sierra conducts the production.