The Opéra de Paris has announced a cast change for its final two performances of “Aida.” The company said, “Ewa Plonka will not be performing in the last two performances of ‘Aida.’” As a result, “the role of Aida will be played by Aleksandra Kurzak for the performances on Nov. 1 and 4, 2025.” Kurzak recently made her role debut {…}
The Polish National Opera is set to launch a new recital series held on the main stage of the Polish National Opera on Nov. 9, 2025. The series will be launched with a performance by Aleksandra Kurzak and Roberto Alagna. The famed duo will perform works by Verdi, Leoncavallo, Cilea, and Giordano. Carlo Montanaro will conduct the Orkiestra Teatru Wielkiego – Opery Narodowej. This season, Kurzak {…}
(The Royal Opera ©2025 Marc Brenner) By the time I got to the Royal Opera and Ballet’s new production of “Tosca” at the end of September, most of the hubbub had died down. The protests around Netrebko’s performance had withered, and her performance was acclaimed – the diva triumphant in the face of politics. So too had dissolved important questions {…}
(Photo Credit: Evan Zimmerman / Metropolitan Opera) Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Puccini’s “La Bohème” is set to return to the Metropolitan Opera. The production, which opens on Oct. 21, will be performed 20 times. The first cast of five performances will feature soprano Juliana Grigoryan and tenor Freddie De Tommaso alongside soprano Heidi Stober, baritone Lucas Meachem, baritone Sean Michael {…}
(Photo Credit: Curtis Brown) The Royal Opera House has announced a major cast change for its production of “Tosca.” The company revealed that Aleksandra Kurzak has withdrawn from the Sept. 24 showcase due to illness. In her stead, Ailyn Pérez will take on the title role in the Puccini classic. Pérez made her ROH debut back in 2014 and has {…}
The Teatro San Carlo has announced its 2025-26 season. The season opens with Riccardo Frizza conducting Cherubini’s “Medea” in a production by Mario Martone. Sondra Radvanovsky stars in the title role alongside Francesco Meli, Giorgi Manoshvili, Désirée Giove, and Anita Rachvelishvili. Performance Dates: Dec. 3-16, 2025 Jessica Pratt, Maria Agresta, Désirée Giove, Francesco Demuro, and Mimmo Borrelli star in Ennio {…}
The Polish National Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. New Productions Agata Zubel and Joanna Freszel star in “The Best City in the World: An Opera About Warsaw.” Bassem Akiki conducts the production by Barbara Wiśniewska. Premiere Date: Sept. 19, 2025 Damian Wilma and Danuta Stenka star in “Wòlô bòskô.” Grzegorz Brajner and Damian Wilma conduct. Performance Date: Nov. 5-29, 2025 Bassem Akiki {…}
(Credit: Gregor Hohenberg) Opera Krakowska has announced that Aleksandra Kurzak will perform Verdi’s “Aida” during the 2025-26 season. The company said, “We are happy to announce that the wonderful soprano Aleksandra Kurzak has joined the cast of the November performances of the opera ‘Aida!’” Kurzak will perform the work three times on Nov. 15, 18 and 21, 2025. The Polish {…}
The Royal Ballet and Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. The season opens with Puccini’s “Tosca” in a new production by Oliver Mears. Anna Netrebko and Aleksandra Kurzak share the title role. Freddie De Tommaso and Gerald Finley also star. Performance Dates: Sept. 11-Oct. 7, 2025 Speranza Scappucci conducts Verdi’s “I vespri siciliani” in a revival of Stefan Herheim’s production. Marina {…}
Semperoper Dresden has unveiled its 2025-26 season. New Productions It opens with Verdi’s “Falstaff,” conducted by Daniele Gatti and directed by Damiano Michieletto with a cast starring Nicola Alaimo, Lodovico Ravizza, Yijie Shi, Eleonora Buratto, Rosalia Cid, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, and Nicole Chirka, among others. Performance Dates: Oct. 5 – Oct. 24, 2025 Next up is Hans Abrahamsen’s “The Snow Queen.” {…}
The Festival Puccini has announced its 2025 season featuring five of the composer’s most famous works. “Tosca” will open the festival with a star-studded cast. Aleksandra Kurzak, Carmen Giannattasio, Eleonora Buratto, and Valentina Boi will alternate the title role alongside Roberto Alagna, Michael Fabiano, Francesco Meli, Luca Salsi, Mikolaj Zalasinski, and Ivan Inverardi. Giorgio Croci conducts Alfonso Signorini’s production. Performance {…}