Jessica Pratt, Carolina López Moreno, Brian Jagde, Corinne Winters, Francesco Meli, Asmik Grigorian & Luca Salsi Lead Maggio Musicale Fiorentino’s 2026 Season

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced its 2026 season. Michele Gamba conducts Massimo Popolizio’s production of Puccini’s “Tosca.” Chiara Isotton and Marta Mari sing the title role alongside Vincenzo Costanzo and Bror Magnus Tødenes as Cavaradossi and Alexey Markov and Claudio Sgura as Scarpia. Opening Date: Jan. 11, 2026 Robert Carsen directs “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” with Riccardo Frizza conducting. Corinne Winters, Brian {…}

May 13, 2025

Opéra National de Paris 2024-25 Review: Il Trittico

(Photo: Monika Ritterschaus) Opéra Bastille is in the midst of presenting a new production of Puccini’s “Il Trittico” (The Triptych) from April 29 to May 28, directed by Christof Loy and conducted by Carlo Rizzi. The triptych features three operas of different natures, all juxtaposed to demonstrate the breadth of the Italian composer’s genius. Contrary to Puccini’s own instructions, the {…}

Apr 20, 2025

Jessica Pratt, John Osborn, Nino Machaidze, Francesca Dotto, Markus Werba & Kristine Opolais Lead Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège’s 2025-26 Season

The Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège has announced its 2025-26 season. Opera Giampaolo Bisanti conducts Gound’s “Faust” in Thaddeus Strassberger’s production. The cast includes John Osborn, Erwin Schrott, Nino Machaidze, Markus Werba, and Elmina Hasan. Performance Dates: Sept. 12-20, 2025 Sieva Borzak conducts Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” with a cast that includes Francesca Dotto, Josè Maria Lo Monaco, Maxim Mironov, Vittorio Prato, {…}

Apr 10, 2025

Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Diana Damrau, Elīna Garanča, Golda Schultz, Sonya Yoncheva, Cecilia Bartoli & Benjamin Bernheim Lead Opernhaus Zürich’s 2025-26 Season

The Opernhaus Zürich has announced its 2025-26 season. Here is a look at the productions and concerts. Premieres Simon Steen-Andersen and Liliana Nikiteanu lead “Wie du warst! Wie du bist!” Performance Dates: Sept. 20, 2025-July 11, 2026 Diana Damrau, Günther Groissböck, Angela Brower, Bo Skovhus, and Emily Pogorelc star in a new production Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier.” Joana Mallwitz conducts the {…}

Dec 14, 2024

Opéra National de Paris 2024-25 Review: Rigoletto

This season the Paris Opera is reviving “Rigoletto” in Claus Guth’s 2016 stark production. Verdi’s work is known for its memorable arias and melodies and is perhaps one of the most difficult works for baritone. It is also a gritty plot that has been reinterpreted in many different ways, sometimes revealing its darker layers. But in other instances, reinterpretations have {…}

Nov 29, 2024

Angel Blue, Piotr Beczała, Brian Jagde, & Elīna Garanča Lead Metropolitan Opera’s New ‘Aida’ Production

(Credit: Paola Kudacki / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to present a new production of Verdi’s “Aida.” The new production will open on Dec. 31, 2024, and will be directed by Michael Mayer, who has already been in charge of the Met’s productions of “Grounded,” “Rigoletto,” “La Traviata,” and “Marnie.” This will be the first new production of {…}

Nov 26, 2024

Roman Burdenko Replaces Eric Owens in Metropolitan Opera’s ‘Aida’

Roman Burdenko will make his Metropolitan Opera debut in Verdi’s “Aida.” The baritone will sing the role of Amonasro on March 18, 22, 26, and 26, replacing the originally scheduled Eric Owens. Burdenko has performed the role around the world including at the Arena di Verona and the Mariinsky Theatre. He has performed at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Deutsche {…}

Jul 24, 2024

Munich Opera Festival 2024 Review: Pique Dame

(Credit: W. Hoesl) Lise Davidsen as the headliner in Tchaikovsky’s “Pique Dame” at the Munich Opera Festival is an apt addition. It is a production full of theatrical effects created by Benedict Andrews with full-screen projections of Lisa in various enticing poses, including cars serving as platforms for singers and chorus-women, a bleacher-filled chorus partially masked, and G-string quasi-strippers. There {…}

Jul 18, 2024

Dutch National Opera to Revive ‘Rigoletto’ with Roman Burdenko

The Dutch National Opera is set to open its 2024-25 season with Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” The famed Verdi opera will be revived in Damiano Michieletto’s production, which opened in 2017. When the production opened critics were mixed and said, “the production is overanalytical and is ultimately sabotaged by its own cleverness.” In 2021, the staging was shown in Venice at the {…}

Jun 25, 2024

Francesca Sassu, Jessica Pratt, Roman Burdenko & Clay Hilley Lead Teatro Verdi di Trieste’s 2024-25 Season

The Teatro Trieste di Verdi has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “La Traviata“ featuring Maria Grazia Schiavo, Francesca Sassu, Antonio Poli, Klodjan Kaçani, Roberto Frontali, and Federico Longhi. Arnaud Bernard directs and Enrico Calesso conducts. Performance Dates: Nov. 8-Dec. 19, 2024 Mozart’s “Die Entführung aus dem Serail” is set to be conducted by Beatrice Venezi {…}

Jun 1, 2024

National Symphony Orchestra Concludes Season with Verdi’s ‘Otello’

The National Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Gianandrea Noseda are set to conclude the 2023–2024 with Verdi’s “Otello.” On June 7 and 9, the conductor will lead a cast that includes Arsen Soghomonyan in the title role, Erika Grimaldi as Desdemona, and Roman Burdenko as Iago. They will be joined by Jennifer Johnson Cano as Emilia, Francesco Marsiglia as Cassio, Aaron {…}