(Credit: Monika Rittershaus) “La Forza del Destino” has always been considered a transitional work in Giuseppe Verdi’s output, bridging the purely romantic operas of his early period and the mature works where his musical language became more dramatic, direct, and personal. It was composed on a commission from the Imperial Theatre in St. Petersburg, where it premiered in 1862. The {…}
The Teatro Regio di Parma has announced a cast change for its Oct. 5 performance of “Otello.” The company said that Yusif Eyvazov will sing the title role replacing Fabio Sartori, who is ill. Eyvazov is known for his interpretation having sung it at the Ravenna Festival, Teatro Massimo di Palermo and the Mariinsky Theatre. The tenor is known for {…}
Anna Netrebko’s July 21 Berlin performance has been postponed to July 22, 2025 due to bad weather. The soprano’s management released a statement noting, “Tonight’s concert at the Classic Open Air at Gendarmenmark in Berlin is unfortunately postponed due to severe weather conditions. We are happy to report that it will take place tomorrow evening: same artists, same place, same {…}
The Arena di Verona has announced that Maria Jose Siri will take over Anna Netrebko’s performances in “Aida” on August 10 and 17, 2025. The company also noted that Yusif Eyvazov will replace Brian Jagde on July 13, 2025 in the role of Radames. Siri opened the production on June 20 and is well known for her interpretation of Aida, {…}
(Credit: Vladimir Shirokov) The Wiener Staatsoper has announced that it will stream Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades” on June 27, 2025. The production by Vera Nemirova will be conducted by Timur Zangiev and will star Anna Netrebko in her role debut as Lisa. She will be accompanied by Yusif Eyvazov in his signature role as Hermann. The cast will also {…}
(Credit: Matthias Baus) My first glimpse of Anna Netrebko was in a performance of Donizetti. She was beautiful, bright, and dynamic — singing while darting around the stage and even somersaulting onto a couch. Here was an opera singer who, in one moment, ended the notion that operatic divas are just singing pieces of furniture. At the Staatsoper Unter den {…}
The Teatro Verdi Trieste has announced its 2025-26 season. Alessandro Luongo, Annalisa Stroppa, Marco Ciaponi, and Marco Filippo Romano star in Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.” Enrico Calesso conducts the production by Pier Luigi Pizzi. Performance Dates: Nov. 28-Dec. 13, 2025 Pier Luigi Pizzi directs Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro“ featuring Simone Alberghini, Carolina Lippo, Giorgio Caoduro, and Ekaterina Bakanova. {…}
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 {…}
The Teatro Real de Madrid has announced its 2025-26 season. Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “Otello,” starring Brian Jadge, Jorge de León, and Angelo Villari in the title role. The cast includes Igor Golovatenko, Artur Ruciński, Gabriele Viviani, Airam Hernández, Asmik Grigorian, and Maria Agresta. Nicola Luisotti and Giuseppe Mentuccia conduct the production by David Alden. Performance Dates: Sept. {…}
The Opéra National de Paris has announced its 2025-26 season. The season opens with Puccini’s “La Bohème,” featuring Nicole Car, Yaritza Véliz, Charles Castronovo, Joshua Guerrero, Andrea Carroll, Étienne Dupuis, Xiaomeng Zhang, and Alexandros Stavrakakis. Domingo Hindoyan conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 12-Oct. 14, 2025 Cecilia Molinari leads Handel’s “Ariodante” alongside Luca Tittoto, Jacquelyn Stucker, Sabine Devieilhe, Rupert Charlesworth, Christophe Dumaux, {…}
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 {…}