(Credit: Teatro alla Scala/Bayerische Staatsoper)

For this weekend’s top choices we take you to Brazil, Finland, Germany, and Italy where you can potentially experience works by Gounod, Verdi, Smetana, and Puccini. If you get a chance to see these performance, don’t think twice about it.

Faust – Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Atalla Ayan takes on the title role in his home country in Gounod’s masterpiece. He is joined by Homero Pérez-Miranda singing the role of Méphistophélès and Gabriela Pace as Marguerite. The cast is rounded out by Homero Velho and Lara Cavalcanti with Ira Levin conducting.

I Masnadieri – Savonlinna Opera Festival, Finland

David McVicar’s Teatro alla Scala production heads to Finland with Lisette Oropesa continuing her acclaimed interpretation as Amalia. The cast also includes Michele Pertusi, Fabio Sartori, and Massimo Cavalletti. Michele Mariotti conducts the production.

The Bartered Bride – Bayerische Staatsoper, Germany

Oliver Zwarg, Helena Zubanovich, Selene Zanetti, Irmgard Vilsmaier, Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke, Pavol Breslik, and Günther Groissböck star in Smetana’s masterful work. Wolf-Michael Storz conducts David Bösch’s production in its festival revival.

La Bohème – Puccini Opera Festival, Italy

Hui He makes her role debut as Mimì at the Torre del Lago. The soprano is joined by Jean-Francois Borras, Ivana Canovic, and Nikola Mijailovic and is conducted by Mārtinš Ozolinš. The production is directed by Alfonso Signorini.

Il Matrimonio Segreto – Festival Valle D’Itra, Italy

Michele Spotti conducts a new production by Pier Luigi Pizzi in Cimarosa’s masterpiece. The cast includes Marco Filippo Romano, Maria Laura Iacobellis, Benedetta Torre, Ana Victoria Pitts, Vittorio Prato, and Alasdair Kent.

Macbeth – Macerata Opera Festival, Italy

Saioa Hernandez makes her role debut as Lady Macbeth continuing a break out year. Hernandez, who is also making her festival debut will be joined by Alex Esposito, Roberto Frontali, and Giovanni Sala. Emma Dante directs Verdi’s early masterpiece with Francesco Ivan Ciampa.