News Archive - 26/27 Season

Soprano MARTHA EASON, who has been working as a freelancer since the start of this season, is stepping in at short notice to take on the role of NEDDA in Leoncavallo’s *Pagliacci* at the Staatstheater Dramstdt, where she has already shone in an open-air gala. MARTHA EASON has already portrayed the role of Nedda to great acclaim at the Badisches Staatstheater in Karlsruhe, where she will make her debut in the 2026/27 season as FIAKERMILLI in R. Strauss’s *Arabella*, and will once again appear as SÉMIRE in Rameau’s * *Les Bordéades* and as BESS in Mazzoli’s *Breaking the Waves*, for which she was frenetically acclaimed by the press: 🗞️ “… The role of Bess seems to have been written specifically for the soprano Martha Eason’s voice and physique. The production demands a great deal of her in terms of love and sex scenes, oppression and self-torment, and courageous and extreme decisions. Eason throws herself into the role with great acting skill, without ever losing her vocal control. She has secure high notes, sings with lyrical emphasis and conveys suffering expressively..."

Japanese, Viennese based couple bass YASUSHI HIRANO and his wife, pianist Sayuri Matsuda Hirano, will present in the cosy atmsophere of the Danielmühle (Austria) songs and opera-arias from Japan and Europe in the concert *Austrian - Japanese - Impressions. Japana is so far away, but yet so near*

Mezzo-soprano NATHALIE MITTELBACH, a long-standing member of the ensemble at Theater Bremen, where she has just given a celebrated debut as THE TEACHER in Kaija Saariaho’s opera *Innocence* (see reviews), returns today as the 3rd LADY in Mozart’s *The Magic Flute*. Performances until 28th Feb. 2027 Conductor: Sasha Yankevych Director: Marco Štorman In addition to the 2 mentioned roles, Nathalie Mittelbach will make her debut in the 2026/27 season in the title role of Bizet’s *Carmen* and as the GRANDMOTHER in Sebastian Schwab’s family opera *Der Räuber Hotzenplotz*.

Young soprano ANNINA WACHTER, a member of the Theatre Innsbruck, opens her New Season 26/27 with the new producion of Giuseppe Verdi's *Una Ballo in Maschera*, making her role-debut as OSCAR. Furthermore, she will debut in this season as DONNA ANNA in Mozart's *Don Giovanni and as FRASQUITA in Bizet's *Carmen" and will embody SAND & TAUMÄNNCHEN in Humperdinck's *Hänsel & Gretel* Un Ballo in Maschera: Conductor: Stephan Zilias Director: Jasmina Hadžiahmetović Sets: Jan Freese Costumes: Aleksandra Kica Performances until 09-01-2027

MORGANE HEYSE is delighted to return to the stage of the Musiktheater Linz, where she is a member of the ensemble to perform NORINA in Donizetti’s *Don Pasquale*. In addition to this part, MORGANE HEYSE’s programme for the current season includes her debut in the title role of Verdi’s LUISA MILLER. DON PASQUALE: Conductor: Marc Reibel Director: Matthias Rippert 8 performances until Dec. 22nd '26

Under the title “A Wagner Spectacular”, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera UCT present excerpts from Wagner’s works, featuring our young tenor OWEN METSILEG – who was recently awarded the title of *Best Young Singer* by *Der Opernfreund* magazine for his performance as OTELLO – as SIEGMUND in excerpts from Wagner’s *Die Walküre*, The complete programme: Overture to *The Flying Dutchman* The gods’ entry into Valhalla from *Das Rheingold* Act I, Scene 3 from *Die Walküre* Act III – Ride of the Valkyries from *Die Walküre* Siegfried’s Death & Funeral March from *Götterdämmerung* Prelude & Liebestod from *Tristan und Isolde*. Conductor: Jeremy Silver

AYNpmn is thrilled to announce the CD RELEASE of Handel’s *Giulio Cesare* on LYNN Records, featuring MEILI LI as NIRENO, accompanied by The English Concert. The CD recording of what is arguably Handel’s most famous opera was preceded by a concert tour that took MEILI LI venues: including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Royal Albert Hall in London, the University of Berkeley, and the Oklahoma Opera. Meili Li is currently enjoying great success as MEPHISTOPHILES in Schnittke’s *Historia von D. Johann Fausten* at the Meiningen State Theatre also (see reviews) Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Countertenor MEILI LI is making his debut at the 64th Music Festival in Bydgoszcz / Poland, which is themed ‘Contrasts’. In the concert ‘Opera in the 18th Century’, he will perform alongside Natalia Kawałek, accompanied by the Orkiestra Kameralna Capella Bydgostiensis conducted by Stefan Plewniak – with whom he has previously completed a concert tour with ‘Les 3 Contre-Ténors’ in China, featuring works by Hasse, Cimarosa and others.

Bass YASUSHI HIRANO, a former member of the Vienna Volksoper ensemble, is delighted to return to his former home-theatre in one of his favourite roles, SARASTRO in Mozart’s "Die Zauberflöte" (The Magic Flute) As well as the performance on Sep. 20th, Yasushi Hirano will also take the role in the performance on Sep. 25th 2026. Stage Director: Lotte de Beer Conductor: Alfred Eschwe

Soprano AGNIEZKA HAUZER, a long-standing member of the ensemble at Theater Kiel, plays the role of ELISABETH in the new production of Wagner’s *Tannhäuser*. Director: Daniel Karasek Conductors: Hendrik Vestmann, Felix Pätzold Performances until 26 March 2027 In the near future, Agnieszka Hauzer will take on the role of AUNT LYDIA in Paul Ruder’s opera *The Handmaid’s Tale* at her home theatre and will also appear in *‘Die Dinge singen hör ich so gern’ – An evening of music and drama*.

Irish baritone BENJAMIN RUSSELL, a new member of the ensemble at the Staatstheater Darmstadt, where he is currently enjoying great success as SILVIO in Leoncavallo’s *Pagliacci* (see reviews), takes on the role of PAPAGENO in the revival of Mozart’s *The Magic Flute* / children’s version, the role of PAPAGENO, which he has already portrayed countless times at the Hessian State Theatre in Wiesbaden. Furthermore in this season, BENJAMIN IN RUSSELL will make his Role & Theatre-Debut as BECKMESSER in Wagner's "Die MEistersinger von Nürnberg" at Longborough Festival Opera; and in Darmstadt debut as MATHIEU in Giordano's "Andrea Chenier" and appear as Dr. FALKE in Johann Strauß "Die Fledermau", as well as in a part of Britten's "Peter Grimes" (Role tba soon) THE MAGIC FLUTE: Conductor: Nicolaus Kierdorf Director: Karten Wiegand 5 performances until 7 December 2026

LOTHAR KRAUSE, General & Artistic Director at Theater Hof and Stage Director puts Donizetti’s comic opera in a special adaptation for Hof on stage. At Theate Hof, “Viva la Mamma” becomes “Evviva Mamma—Manners and Misfortunes at the Theater.” Theater website: “With brilliant music, affectionate irony, and sharp wit, Donizetti paints a delightful picture of the madness of the theater. Premiered in 1827, this opera is both a sparkling satire and a declaration of love—a turbulent homage to the theater, where art, chaos, and vanity are inseparable....” Conductor: Michael Falk Set & Costumes: Aylin Kaip Lighting: Stefan Pampel 9 performances through November 22, 2026 Artistic Director LOTAHR KRAUSE stages Donizetti’s comic opera in a uniquely Hof adaptation. At Theater Hof, “Viva la Mamma” becomes “Evviva Mamma – Customs and Misdeeds at the Theater.” Theater Website: “With brilliant music, affectionate irony, and sharp wit, Donizetti paints a delightful picture of the madness of the theater. Premiered in 1827, this opera is both a sparkling satire and a declaration of love—a turbulent homage to the theater, where art, chaos, and vanity are inseparable....” Conductor: Michael Falk Set & Costumes: Aylin Kaip Lighting: Stefan Pampel 9 performances through November 22, 2026 Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

🗞️ “... RAFAEL HELBIG-KOSKTA possesses an ideal Mozart tenor voice with a delicate, mellifluous quality and a steady high register. The ‘Bildnis’ aria captivates with its balance, masterful legato and subtle diminuendi in the upper register...” RAFAEL HELBIG-KOSKTA, who began his season with great success as BEPPE in Leoncavallo’s *Pagliacci* at the Staatstheater Darmstadt, will once again take on the role of TAMINO – for which he was acclaimed by the press – in the revival cycle of the acclaimed production of Mozart’s *The Magic Flute* at the Nationaltheater Mannheim. See reviews The role of TAMINO will also take the tenor to the Jerusalem Opera for his regional and company debut. And as a member of the ensemble at the National Theatre Mannheim, he will make his debut as DON RAMIRO in Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” and will once again appear as THE MAD HATTER in Valtinoni’s “Alice in Wonderland”. Conductor: Lukas Hauser Director: Cordula Däuper 11 performances until 31 December 2026 Double cast

🗞️ “… ILYA LAPICH sings the role of PAPAGENO with a sonorous baritone voice and plays his part with great verve…” ILYA LAPICH, a member of the ensemble at the National Theatre in Mannheim, is once again taking on the role of PAPAGENO in the revival run of the acclaimed production of Mozart’s *The Magic Flute* (see also reviews) He will also appear in Mannheim as MARCELLO in Puccini’s *La Bohème*, HERMANN & SCHLÉMIL in Offenbach’s *Les Contes d’Hoffmann*, DANDINI in Rossini’s *La Cenerentola*, LORD GUGLIELMO CECIL in Donizetti’s *Maria Stuarda* and BARONE DOUPHIL in Verdi’s *La Traviata*, as well as taking part in the “Academy Concert”. Conductor: Lukas Hauser Director: Cordula Däuper 11 performances until 31 December 2026 Double casting Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Soprano ZINZI FROHWEIN will once again take on the role of the First Lady in the revival run of the acclaimed production of Mozart’s *The Magic Flute* at the National Theatre in Mannheim. Furthermore, during the current season, she will make her role debuts as ELISABETTA in Donizetti’s “Maria Stuarda”, and as ANTONIA & GIULIETTA in Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann”, and MIMI in the new production of Puccini’s *La Bohème*, and will once again portray ANNA in Verdi’s *Nabucco*, as well as the Wagner roles of GERHILDE & WELLGUNDE in *Der Ring an einem Abend* and the 3rd FLOWER MAIDEN in *Parsifal*. Conductor: Lukas Hauser Director: Cordula Däuper 11 performances until 31 December 2026 Double cast

“Sung Ha imbues the embodiment of wisdom and truth with great dignity and grandeur; he lets his noble bass voice flow warmly and resonantly ...” SUNG HA can once again be seen as SARASTRO in the acclaimed production of Mozart’s *The Magic Flute* at the National Theatre in Mannheim, where the bass – a long-standing member of the ensemble – will also take on the roles of COLLINE in Puccini’s *La Bohème*, as well as the Verdi roles of FIESCO and ANDREA in *Simone Boccanegra*, ZACCARIA in *Nabucco* and Dottore Grenville in *La Traviata*. Conductor: Lukas Hauser Director: Cordula Däuper 11 performances until 31 December 2026 Double cast

Countertenor MEILI LI makes his debut in the role of MEPHISTOPHILES in Alfred Schnittke’s “Historia von D. Johann Fausten” at the Meiningen State Theatre, where he has already enjoyed acclaim as Aeneas in Domenico Sarro’s “Didone Abbandonata” – named ‘Rediscovery of the Year’ by the magazine *Der Opernfreund* – and as Dardano in Handel’s “Amadigi di Gaula”. This multi-stylistic work premiered in 1995 at the Hamburg State Opera. The production in Meiningen is only the second staging of this opera to date. Director: Eva-Maria Höckmayr Conductor: GMD Killian Farrell 7 performances until 27 March 2027

Young coloratura-soprano EVELINA LIUBONKO is making her debut as LINDORA in Niccolò Piccini’s opera *Le Donne Vendicate* as part of the *Il Faro della Musica* festival at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste. The young coloratura soprano won the role at the Barrocco Europeo 2026 competition, where the jury included Vivica Genaux, amongst others. Director: Cesare Scarton Conductor: Riccardo Doni Orchestra del Cenacolo Musicale The production will be recorded at the Teatro Verdi Gorizia the day before. There will also be an event related to the opera at the historic Antico Caffè San Marco. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Mezzo-soprano NATHALIE MITTELBACH, a long-standing member of the ensemble at Theatre Bremen, makes her role-debuts as CECILIA &TEACHER in Kaija Saariaho’s opera *Innocence*. Director: Marco Štorman Conductors: Yu Sugimoto & Stefan Klingele Performances until 15 January 2027 Furthermore, Nathalie Mittelbach will also appear in the title role of Bizet’s CARMEN, as the 3rd LADY in Mozart’s *The Magic Flute* and as the GRANDMOTHER in Sebastian Schwab’s family opera *Räuber Hotzenplotz*, based on the story by Otfried Preußler.

Young soprano SARA DE FRANCO starts her NEWS SEASON 26/27 as new member of the ENSEMBLE at Karlsruhe State Theatre with her favourite Musical Songs, which she presents during the Karlsruhe Museum Night in the Jazz Club Karlsruhe. On the big stage of the Karlsruhe State Theatre, Sara will perform the parts of: BETTY SCHAFER in a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard" JULIETTE in Korngold's "Die Tote Stadt" EURYDICE in "Orpheus & the Magic Harp" with musik by Gluck, Monteverdi, Telemann, Haydn, Offenbach, Graun, a.o. POLYMNIE in Rameau's "Les Boréades" SUOR DOLCINA in the new production of Puccini's "Il Trittico" SAND & TAUMÄNNCHEN in Humperdinck's "Hänsel & Gretel" & IDA in J. Strauß' "The Bat"

Today, LEILA SCHÜTZ can be seen in concert at . Together with Sasha Lurje – vocals Mark Kovnatskiy – violin Ilya Gindin – clarinet, alto saxophone Pieter Sint Nicolaas – trumpet Alan Bern – piano, accordion, presenter & musical director the soprano will be performing klezmer, as well as traditional and contemporary Yiddish music at the MAKKöln, the Museum of Applied Arts in Cologne.

Coloratura-Soprano MORGANE HEYSE, who feels as much at home in concerts as at the opera-stage, performs, accompanied by Stefan Gurtner on the piano, a colourful musical kaleidoscope, ranging from classical to world music. Other performers in this concert: Greek flautist Ria Georgiadis, accompanied by her partner Sven Birch on the piano, who blend classical and contemporary music into a captivating whole.

The multi-talented LEILA SCHÜTZ—singer, violinist, musicologist, and director—is very much looking forward to her third directing project. As the winner of the Lira d’Orfeo Prize at the Cavalli/Monteverdi Vocal Competition, Leila Schütz has a special connection to Monteverdi and *L’Orfeo*, and due to the illness of the singer cast as Euridice, LEILA SCHÜTZ will also take on the role of EURIDICE at short notice. L'Orfeo—presented in a new interpretation: from a contemporary Jewish perspective, in a compact version for a reduced ensemble. The Callisto Collective is guided by the early Baroque idiom and its affinity with contemporary forms of expression—its improvisational character, its dances, and its recitatives. We are also exploring a new take on music as a healing and transcendent force. The performance lasts about 40 minutes. It features a staged adaptation of the first two acts of the opera, performed by an ensemble of young professional artists and students.” Thank you to the Department of Culture and Science of the City of Braunschweig, the Braunschweig State Theater, and the Braunschweiger Land Foundation for their kind support. Thank you to the Liberal Jewish Community of Hanover (K.d.ö.R.) for its support in staging the performance. The opera is part of the “Anti-Semitism Prevention with Lower Saxony Adult Education III” (ANNE) project and is also part of the “Jewish Culture Days between the Harz and the Heath” organized by the Israel Jacobson Network. ANNE is funded by the Lower Saxony State Democracy Center (L-DZ)

Baritone PETER SCHÖNE makes his debut at the Othmar Schoeck Festival with Schoeck’s “Wanderung im Gebirge, Op. 45” and Ernst Krenek’s “Reisebuch aus den österreichischen Alpen, Op. 62” Festival website: "Othmar Schoeck and Ernst Krenek (1900–1991) had known each other since 1923 and were in regular contact, particularly during the period from 1924 onwards when Krenek was living in Switzerland thanks to a scholarship from Werner Reinhart. In 1929, Krenek composed *Reisebuch aus den österreichischen Alpen* (Travelogue from the Austrian Alps), Op. 62, a journey of discovery through his native Austria. Othmar Schoeck wrote a sort of Swiss response to this in the form of the cycle *Wanderung im Gebirge* (Mountain Walk), Op. 45." Peter Schöne – baritone Alice Lackner – mezzo-soprano Burkhardt Kehring – piano Hein Sauer / University of Zurich – introduction

CONGRATULATIONS to our wonderful mezzo-soprano ANNA KUDRIASHOVA-STEPANETS for winning the 2nd PRIZE at the 38th Concours International de Chant de Marmande; out of 154 participants. JURY: Sandrine Abello Jérôme Gay Christophe Ghristi Hye Myung Kang Loïc Lachenal Alain Lanceron Mathias Guillaumond-KopyttoPhilippe MestresVincent Monteil Jean-Yves Ossonce Erki Pehk Frédéric Roels Matthieu Rietzler Heng Shi Ludmila Talikova

With the 26/27 season, baritone BENJAMIN RUSSELL joins the ENSEMBLE at Darmstadt State Theatre, where he today makes his House-Debut as SILVIO in Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci". A part, he already embodied at the Wiesbaden State Theatre. Other parts will be, among others, PAPAGENO in Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte" and MATTHIEU in Giordano's "Andrea Chenier", as well as a role (NN) in Britten's "Peter Grimes". Furthermore, at the end of the season, Mr. Russell will make his ROLE & HOUSE-DEBUT as BECKMESSER in Wagner's "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" at Longborough Opera Festival.

Tenor RAFAEL HELBIG-KOSTKA makes his House-Debut at Darmstadt State Theatre as BEPPE in Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci"; a part, he already embodied highly successfully at his Home-Theatre, the Nationaltheater Mannheim. There, 26/27 sees his Role-Debut as DON RAMIRO in Rossini's "La Cenerentola" and the revival-runs as TAMINO in Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte" and as THE SILLY HATTER in Valtinoni's "Alice in Wonderland". Furthermore, TAMINO will lead him to The Jerusalem Opera in Israel, making his House- & Country Debut.

Once more, in the meantime im the 21st year, the LIONS CLUB sends intivation of the concert "Klassik im Kuhstall" (Classic Music in the cowshed), in the Brinkmanns Hof in Ringstedt, a pitoresque venue in North-Germany. Soprano VICTORIA KUNZE, member of the ensemble at Theatre Bremerhaven, where she celebrated many successes in the last season, especially as VIOLETTA in Verdi's "La Traviata", by magazin "Der Opernfreund" awarded as "Best Singer", and already several times guest at this concert-series, presents arias and - together with tenor Mirko Roszkowski - duets from operas and operettas. Her first premiere at Bremerhaven Theatre will be Mařenka in Smetana's "Prodana Nevěsta", Oct 24th, 2026.

Viennese based bass YASUSHI HIRANO, recently highly celebrated for his debut as Zaccaria in Verdi's "Nabucco" at Cottbus State Theatre, is honoured to give a Song-Recital with works by Gustav Mahler, Henri Duparc and Kusaka Kishida in the renowned Shibuya Ward Cultural Center / Shibuya City / Tokyo. As always, at the piano and at his side: pianist, accompanist and wife Sayuri Hirano-Matsuda, Prof. at the mdw, the Music Conservatroy Vienna.

"The future is our future past" Let’s shape this future together and make 26/27 a season full of successes and wonderful memories! On and off stage.