(Credit: Thomas Aurin/Arena di Verona)

This weekend will feature the celebration of a major milestone for the living legend Plácido Domingo. But there are also a few fascinating productions around Europe (though to be fair, 80 percent of our choices are located in two countries) that you definitely have to check out if you have the chance.

Médée – Salzburg Festival, Austria

Elena Stikhina takes on the title role in Cherubini’s opera in her Salzburg Festival debut, with a cast that includes Pavel Černoch, Vitalij Kowaljow, Rosa Feola, and Alisa Kolosova. Thomas Hengelbrock conducts Simon Stone’s inventive modern interpretation. 

Rigoletto – Bregenz Festival, Austria

Philipp Stölzl’s production of Verdi’s classic returns with Enrique Mazzola conducting the production. The production is set to be shown twice this weekend with Stephen Costello, Stacey Alleaume,  Mélissa Petit, and Scott Hendricks heading the lineup.

OperaWire’s review noted that “There have surely been productions of “Rigoletto” that have more deeply probed the work’s disturbing psychology, but as a feat of creative imagination, combining technical achievement with emotional richness, this interpretation of the Verdi score is unique.”

Ecuba – Festival della Valle d’Itra, Italy

Carmela Remigio stars in Nicola Antonio Manfroce’s rarely performed work with a cast that includes Norman Reinhardt, Mert Süngü, Roberta Mantegna, Martina Gresia, Lorenzo Izzo, and Nile Senatore. Sesto Qutrini conducts legendary director Pier Pizzi Luigi’s production.

Plácido Domingo’s 50th Anniversary Gala – Arena di Verona, Italy

The legendary artist celebrates his milestone in an evening that will feature acts from three of his signature baritone roles: “Macbeth,” “Nabucco,” and “Simon Boccanegra.” Anna Pirozzi and Arturo Chacón-Cruz join Domingo with conductor Jordi Bernàcer.

Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci – Budapest Summer Festival, Hungary

Marcelo Álvarez stars in the famous double bill taking on the roles of Turiddu and Canio. The acclaimed tenor is joined by Ildikó Komlósi as Santuzza and soprano Polina Pasztircsák as Nedda.