(Olga Svistunova’s article appeared in Russia Beyond the Headlines, 9/16.)
The Bolshoi’s new season will see Anna Netrebko and Dmitri Hvorostovsky perform in the theater’s own productions for the first time, while the opera premieres include David Alden’s staging of Benjamin Britten’s “Billy Budd” with the English National Opera.
The Bolshoi Theater has announced the premieres and guest star performers that will grace its new season – including “debuts” at the theater for two of opera’s greatest names.
The parade of opera premieres at the Bolshoi Theater will open on Oct. 16 with Manon Lescaut on the Historic Stage. The Puccini opera will be staged by director Adolf Shapiro. The conductor's stand will be taken by Italian maestro Jader Bignamini, while the title part will be performed by Anna Netrebko.
It is the first time that she will take part in one of the theater’s productions, so for the famous diva it will be a kind of debut at the Bolshoi, said general director Vladimir Urin, adding that such "debuts" are also planned for other opera stars in the upcoming season.