Anna Netrebko, a superstar singer, is coming back to the Royal Opera in London after being away for six years. She will kick off the 2025-26 season by starring in a new version of Puccini’s famous opera “Tosca.” This production will be led by the new music director, Jakub Hrůša, and will run from September 11 to September 21. The setting of the opera will be a modern, war-torn version of Rome, which is a fresh take on the classic story. She will be joined by the talented singers Freddie De Tommaso and Gerald Finley.
Besides “Tosca,” Netrebko will perform in another production of Puccini’s “Turandot” later, from December 15 to 23, and she is also set to give a special recital on June 24, 2026. The last time she sang at Covent Garden was in April 2019 for Verdi’s opera “La Forza del Destino.” There were planned performances of Verdi’s “Nabucco” in January 2022, but those were canceled due to travel issues in Europe.
Netrebko faced challenges after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. She was dropped from future shows at the Metropolitan Opera in New York when their general manager, Peter Gelb, asked her to speak out against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite this, she has continued to perform at many major venues and made her U.S. return after six years in February at a recital in Palm Beach.
In other news, Jakub Hrůša, who is taking over from Antonio Pappano as the music director, will also conduct new performances, including Janáček’s “The Makropulos Case” and a revival of Britten’s “Peter Grimes.” Speranza Scappucci will begin her role as principal guest conductor with a new version of Verdi’s “Les Vêpres Siciliennes.” Moreover, there will be exciting new productions of Handel’s “Ariodante,” Wagner’s “Siegfried,” and Bellini’s “I Puritani.”
Leave a Reply