(Credit: Baus-La Monnaie /Catherine Ashmore- Royal Opera House/Javier del Rey-Teatro Real)

This weekend will feature two productions of the epic “Don Carlo” in two different versions, a world premiere, a soprano taking on four roles in one opera, a Janacek work, and a star couple in one of Massenet’s greatest works. Here is what we recommend for the weekend.

Macbeth Underworld – La Monnaie, Belgium 

Pascal Dusapin presents a new interpretation of Shakspeare’s play with a libretto by Frédéric Boyer. The new opera is set to star Magdalena Kožená in the role of Lady Macbeth with Georg Nigel in the title role. The opera, which was commissioned by a Monnaie, will be conducted by Alain Altinoglu and directed by Thomas Jolly.

Don Carlos – Opera Vlaanderen, Belgium

Alejo Pérez conducts a new production of Verdi’s masterwork by Johan Simon in its original French version. The Belgium company has lined up a cast of veterans and rising stars that include Leonardo Capalbo in the title role, Mary Elizabeth Williams, Andreas Bauer Kanabas, Kartal Karagedik, Raehann Bryce-Davis, and Roberto Scandiuzzi. The production will be shown this weekend in Antwerp.

Les Contes d’Hoffmann – Opéra de Bordeaux, France

Jessica Pratt sings the four heroines in Offenbach’s audience favorite. The opera also stars Adam Smith in his Bordeaux debut, Nicolas Cavallier, and Aude Extrémo. Marc Minkowski conducts the production by Vincent Huguet.

Don Carlo – Teatro Real, Spain

The Teatro Real continues its runs of Verdi’s monumental work with two casts. First on Saturday Dmitry Belosselskiy, Marcelo Puente, Maria Agresta, Luca Salsi, Mika Kares, and Ekaterina Semenchuk star. The Sunday cast stars Michele Pertusi, Andrea Carè, Simone Piazzola, Rafał Siwek, Ainhoa Arteta, and Silvia Tro Santafé. Nicola Luisotti conducts the new production by Sir. David McVicar.

The Makropoulos Case – Opernhaus Zurich

Legendary soprano Evelyn Herlitzius sings the title role of Janacek’s ever-popular work with a cast that includes Sam Furness, Kevin Conners, Deniz Uzun, Scott Hendricks, Spencer Lang, Tómas Tómasson, Ruben Drole, Irène Friedli, and Guy de Mey. Jakub Hrůša conducts the production by Dmitri Tcherniakov.

Werther – Royal Opera House, United Kindom 

Juan Diego Flórez and Isabel Leonard star in Massenet’s masterwork. The opera is set to be conducted by Edward Gardner and also starring Jacques Imbrailo and Heather Engebretson.