It’s an interesting weekend filled with two rare works, concert performances and a lot of “Manon” with multiple singers performing the work for the first time. Here is a look at what are excited for.

Robert le Diable – La Monnaie du Mont, Belgium

Lisette Oropesa headlines the final concert performance of Meyerbeer’s rarely performed work which also stars Dmitry Korchak in the title role. Yolanda Auyanet,  Patrick Bolleire, Julien Dran, and Nicolas Courjal star. Evelino Pido conduucts.

Manon – Opera de Bordeaux, France

Nadine Sierra and Benjamin Bernheim make anticipated role debuts in Massenet’s grand opera, which is also his most popular work. The new production will be directed by Olivier Py and Marc Minkowski will conduct. The production will also star Alexandre Duhamel and Laurent Alvaro.

Manon – Théâtre Champs-Élysées, France

Juan Diego Flórez and Nino Machaidze team up to make role debuts in Massenet’s iconic opera. The two will be joined by Marc Barrard and Jean-Gabriel Saint Martin and conducted by Frédéric Chaslin. The two will later take on the roles in a staged performance at the Wiener Staatsoper alongside Chaslin.

La Gioconda – Gran Teatre del Liceu , Spain

Ponchielli’s rarely performed masterpiece continues its run on the Barcelona stage with two casts. First up on Friday is Saioa Hernandez alongside Ketevan Kemoklidze, Carlo Colombara, Stefano La Colla, Luis Cansino, and María José Montiel. Then on Sunday, Irene Theorin finally makes her role debut after canceling the first two performances. She takes the stage with Dolora Zajick, Ildebrando D’Arcangelo, Brian Jagde, and Gabriele Viviani.

Manon – Opernhaus Zurich, Switzerland

Elsa Dreisig takes on the iconic role of Manon and is set to solidify her status as one of the rising stars in the opera world. She will be accompanied by Piotr Beczala in one of his signature roles. Floris Visser directs the production which will be conducted by Marco Armiliato. Yuriy Yurchuk and Alastair Miles round out the cast.