Numerous seasons open this week that will include some of the top singers in the world. The weekend will include numerous classics as well as a musical and a rarely-performed gem.

Der Freischutz – Vienna State Opera, Austria

In its opening weekend, the Vienna State Opera will present three different operas, but OperaWire recommends this Weber rarity which is set to star Anna Gabler, Tomasz Konieczny, Christopher Ventris, Falk Struckmann, and Hans Peter Kammerer. Sebastian Weigle conducts Christian Räth’s production.

Sweeney Todd – Wiener Volksoper, Austria

Stephen Sondheim’s acclaimed musical gets a revival at the Volksoper with Morten Frank Larsen and Dagmar Hellberg in the lead roles. Joseph R. Olefirowicz conducts. 

La Traviata – Teatro la Fenice, Italy

Claudia Pavone sings the title role in Robert Carsen’s legendary production. Stefan Pop and Markus Werba round out the extraordinary cast. Sesto Quatrini conducts the production.

Così fan tutte – Korean National Opera, Korea

Raffaella Lupinacci, Laura Tatulescu, Ruzan Mantashyan, Rod Gilfry and Alessio Arduini lead the cast of Mozart’s masterpiece in a production by Nicolas Berloffa and conducted by David Reiland.

Paul Bunyan – English National Opera, United Kingdom 

The ENO presents Benjamin Britten’s work for the first time at the Wilton’s Music Hall in London. The work will be part of the ENO Studio Live series and stars Simon Russell Beale and Elgan Llyr Thomas. Matthew Kofi Waldren conducts.