This weekend, the opera world will see a major role debut from a major star, as well as a number of singers continuing runs of role debuts and house debuts. There will also be a concert performance of a rarely performed Verdi work.

Il Trovatore – Finnish National Opera, Finland 

Don Pasquale – is Teatro alla Scala, Italy 

David Livermore directs a new production of Donizetti’s comic masterpiece with Ambrogio Maestri in the title role and Rosa Feola as Norina. Rene Barbera, who OperaWire recently interviewed, makes his long-awaited debut as Ernesto. Riccardo Chailly conducts.

Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci – Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Italy 

Anita Rachvelishvili continues her run of “Cavalleria” in her first performances as Santuzza. The acclaimed mezzo is joined by Alfred Kim. Meanwhile, Carmela Remigio sings Nedda alongside Fabio Sartori in “Pagliacci.” The new production, which is being presented on April 8, is by Pippo Delbono. Carlo Rizzi conducts the acclaimed cast.

Attila – Gran Teatre del Liceu, Spain 

Ildar Abdrazakov takes on his signature role in Verdi’s early work with Anna Pirozzi as the heroic Odabella. They are joined by Josep Bros and conductor Speranza Scapucci. The opera will be performed in concert form twice on April 6 and 8.

Maria Stuarda – Opernhaus Zurich, Switzerland 

Diana Damrau makes her role debut as Maria Stuarda in Donizetti’s second Tudor queen opera on April 8. The Bel Canto masterpiece will also star Pavol Breslik, Serena Farnocchia, and Nicola Teste. David Alden directs the new production with Enrique Mazzola conducting the work.

Bonus 

If you have not seen “Macbeth” with Anna Netrebko at the Royal Opera House, there is one more chance and OperaWire will be there. And if you can’t get tickets, the Royal Opera is still presenting “Coraline,” which is in its world premiere run. Operawire will also be in London for the Olivier Awards, so stay tuned.