The ABAO Bilbao Opera in Spain has announced its 2021-22 season.

The season opens with a production of “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” starring Jessica Pratt, Michael Fabiano, Elena Zhidkova, and Simón Orfila. The opera will be directed by Vincent Huguet and conducted by Carlo Montanaro.

Performance Dates: Oct. 23 – Nov. 1, 2021

Next up “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” will be headlined by Ekaterina Semenchuk, Rocio Ignacio, Jorge de León, and Ambrogio Maestri. Other cast members include Carlos Daza, Belén Elvira, Itxaro Mentxaka, and Mikeldi Atxalandabaso. The production will be directed by Anton Rechi and conducted by Daniel Oren.

Performance Dates: Nov. 20 – 29, 2021

Paolo Fanale stars in “La Clemenza di Tito” alongside Daniela Barcellona, Vanessa Goikoetxea, Veta Pilipenko, Itziar de Unda, and Josep Miguel Ramón. Riccardo Frizza conducts the production by Fabio Ceresa.

Performance Dates: Jan. 22 – 31, 2022

The company will present a double bill of Poulenc’s “La Voix Humaine” and Zemlinsky’s “Eine Florentinische Tragödie” starring Ainhoa Arteta (in both operas) and Giorgio Berrugi and Eglis Silins (in the Zemlinsky work). The Paco Azorin production will be conducted by Pedro Halffter.

Performance Dates: Feb. 19 – 28, 2022

Verdi’s “Alzira” will make its company premiere under the baton of Daniel Oren. The cast will include Hui He, Sergio Escobar, and Juan Jesús Rodriguez. The production will be directed by Jean Pierre Gamarra.

Performance Dates: April 23 – 30, 2022

Maria Agresta and Sergio Escobar will headline “Madama Butterfly.” Henrik Nánási will conduct in his company debut.

Performance Dates: May 21 – 30, 2022

The company will present a concert dedicated to the music of Rossini. The showcase will feature the “Stabat Mater” and “Giovanna d’Arco” with such artists as Angela Meade, Marianna Pizzolato, Paolo Fanale, and Simón Orfila, all under the baton of Nicola Luisotti.

Performance Dates: April 6, 2022

The company will continues its Temporada ABAO Txiki project which will feature performances of “La caja de los juguetes, “Guillaume Tell,” “Bost Axola Bemola,” and “Allegro Vivace.”

Finally, the company also announced that it would be presenting free activities. The Cultural program will present “El ABC de la Ópera” among several other major programs.