Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko, Sonya Yoncheva, Diana Damrau, Elīna Garanča, Asmik Grigorian, Nicole Car, Nicholas Brownlee, Michael Spyres, Nadine Sierra, & Simon Keenlyside Lead Bayerische Staatsoper’s 2026-27 Season

The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2026-27 season. Premiere Productions The first production of the season will be Wagner’s “Siegfried” with Benjamin Bruns, Matthias Klink, Nicholas Brownlee, Georg Nigl, Timo Riihonen, Wiebke Lehmkuhl, Simone Schneider, and Miina-Liisa Värelä. Vladimir Jurowski conducts the production by Tobias Kratzer. Performance Dates: Oct. 29, 2026-July 29, 2027 Nadine Sierra and Lisette Oropesa alternate as {…}

Mar 13, 2026

Cast Change: Vasilisa Berzhanskaya Joins Gran Teatre del Liceu’s ‘Semiramide’

The Gran Theatre del Liceu has announced a cast change for its performances of Rossini’s “Semiramide.” The company said, “due to the Liceu’s scheduling changes, soprano Adela Zaharia has unfortunately decided to cancel her participation in ‘Semiramide.’ Mezzo-soprano Vasilisa Berzhanskaya joins the production taking on the title role.” Berzhanskaya is currently performing the role at the Teatro Mssimo di Palermo. {…}

Mar 10, 2026

Teatro Regio di Parma 2026 Review: Norma

(Photo: Roberto Ricci) I first heard Vasilisa Berzhanskaya as Rosina in a 2022 Florence production of “Il barbiere di Siviglia.” For the first time, I wasn’t sure if it was the standard version with a mezzo Rosina, or the less frequently performed soprano version. While the timbre was distinctly mezzo, the dazzling coloratura was more soprano than mezzo. Fast forward {…}

Jan 27, 2026

Teatro Regio di Torino 2025-26 Review: La Cenerentola

(Photo: Mattia Gaido) Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” (1817) is quite different from the familiar children’s tale most of us grew up with. Librettist Jacopo Ferretti (1784-1852) opted for a more realistic Italian view of the fairy tale. His Cinderella is bereft of fairy godmother, magic carriage or glass slippers. Some attribute this rational approach to the Enlightenment, while others believe it {…}

Dec 22, 2025

Juan Diego Flórez, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, Maxim Mironov, Adrian Sâmpetrean, Dave Monaco & Alasdair Kent Lead Rossini Opera Festival’s 2026 Season

The Rossini Opera Festival has announced the 2026 edition, which will celebrate its 47th edition. The festival will take place between August 11 and 23, 2026. The festival will open with a new production of “Le Siège de Corinthe” conducted by Carlo Rizzi and directed by Davide Livermore. The production will star Adrian Sâmpetrean, Matteo Roma, Maxim Mironov, Simon Orfila, {…}

Nov 1, 2025

Vasilisa Berzhanskaya & Yaritza Véliz Lead Dutch National Opera’s ‘I Capuleti e i Montecchi’

(Credit: © Hugo Thomassen) The Dutch National Opera is set to present Bellini’s rarely performed “I Capuleti e i Montecchi.” The work will be staged from Dec. 7 to 28, 2025, featuring Antonino Fogliani leading the Netherlands Philharmonic, and Chilean soprano Yaritza Véliz is making her DNO house debut in the role of Giulietta and mezzo-soprano Vasilisa Berzhanskaya as Romeo. {…}

Sep 28, 2025

Vasilisa Berzhanskaya Announces Major Change in Career

Vasilisa Berzhanskaya has announced she is returning to the soprano repertoire. The Russian singer took to social media and announced the news, stating, “Dear friends, I am thrilled to share an exciting development in my musical journey: I am returning to my original voice type, soprano. For those who know me well, this won’t be a surprise, as I started {…}

Jul 7, 2025

Teatro alla Scala 2024-25 Review: Norma

(Photo: Brescia e Amisano) It is rather curious that one of the most emblematic titles in the operatic canon has been staged so rarely on such an iconic stage as Teatro alla Scala: “Norma” by Vincenzo Bellini, which had its world premiere there in 1831 with Giuditta Pasta in the title role. That said, the few times it has returned {…}

Jun 12, 2025

Teatro Alla Scala to Stream ‘Norma’ with Marina Rebeka & Freddie De Tommaso

The Teatro alla Scala is set to stream Bellini’s “Norma” on La Scala tv. The stream will be showcased on July 4, 2025, and will star Marina Rebeka in the title role, Freddie De Tommaso as Pollione, Michele Pertusi as Oroveso, and Vasilisa Berzhanskaya as Adalgisa. Fabio Luisi will conduct the new production by Olivier Py. “Norma” has not been {…}

May 19, 2025

Anastasia Bartoli, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, Carlo Vistoli & Dmitry Korchak Lead Teatro Regio di Parma’s 2026 Season

The Teatro Regio di Parma has announced its 2026 season. Fabio Biondi conducts Gluck’s “Orfeo ed Euridice” in a production by Shirin Neshat. The production stars Carlo Vistoli, Francesca Pia Vitale, and Nadja Mchantaf. Performance Dates: Jan. 23-31, 2026 Dmitry Korchak, Carlo Lepore, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, and Giuliana Gianfaldoni star in Bellini’s “Norma.” Renato Palumbo conducts the production by Nicola Berloffa. Performance {…}

May 19, 2025

Asmik Grigorian, Rolando Villazón, Xabier Anduaga, Jonathan Tetelman, Aigul Akhmetshina, Anastasia Bartoli, Camilla Nylund, Clay Hilley & Freddie De Tommaso Lead Deutsche Oper Berlin’s 2025-26 Season

(Credit: Deutsche Oper) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its 2025-26 season. Premieres Detlev Glanert ‘s “Die drei Rätsel” will be conducted by Dominic Limburg and directed by Brigitte Dethier. The production will star Martina Baroni, Philipp Jekal, Chance Jonas-O’Toole, Joel Allison, Padraic Rowan, Maria Vasilevskaya, and Alexandra Oomens. Performance Dates: Oct. 11, 2025-Feb. 15, 2026 Sir Donald Runnicles will {…}