The Royal Opera House has announced a cast change for its production of “Il Trovatore.”

The company said that Marigona Qerkezi will sing the role of Leonora on July 9, 12, 16, and 19, 2025, replacing Eleonora Buratto.

In a statement to social media, Qerkezi said, “I will be making my London Royal Opera House debut as Leonora in Giuseppe Verdi’s ‘Il Trovatore’. It’s an absolute honor to step onto the stage of this legendary theatre and bring to life one of Verdi’s most passionate and powerful heroines.”

Qerkezi has performed with Oper Frankfurt, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Opéra Royal de Wallonie, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova, Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, Royal Danish Opera, Teatro de la Maestranza, Ópera de Oviedo, and Croatian National Theatre. She has performed the role of Leonora to critical acclaim. Of her interpretation, OperaWire noted, “Marigona Qerkezi sang a striking Leonora, and announcing herself as a soprano to look out for. Qerkezi has a plush soprano with a roundness from the top to the lower parts of the voice.”

She is set to join a cast that includes Gwyn Hughes Jones, Juan Jesús Rodríguez, Yulia Matochkina, and Roberto Tagliavini. Carlo Rizzi conducts.

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