Kristine Opolais launches her 2019/20 season starring as Cio-Cio-San in the Wiener Staatsoper’s timeless production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, on October 12 & 16. Ms. Opolais shares the stage with Ivan Magrì as Pinkerton, Paolo Rumetz as Sharpless, Monika Bohinec as Suzuki, Lydia Rathkolb as Kate Pinkerton, and Herwig Pecoraro as Goro. A signature role for Ms. Opolais, she previously sang Cio-Cio-San at the house in 2016, receiving rave reviews for her portrayal:

“[The] glamourous Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais brought intelligence and an impressive vocal technique to this difficult part. She has already sung Cio-Cio-San at the Met, Munich and Covent Garden and The Telegraph described her as “the leading Puccini soprano of today.” This may be slightly hyperbolic, but there was exceptional subtlety in this well thought-out characterization.

Vocally there was much to savour in Opolais’ interpretation with several well executed high notes such as the piano top D flat on “Amor” at the conclusion to the “ancora un passo” chorus. The mezza-voce was consistently impressive. “Un bel dì” was memorable for its quiet restraint and extremely delicate ppp “chi sarà, chi sarà” middle section. The final top B flat on “l’aspetto” was spinto stupendo.” (Bachtrack)

Further highlights of her 2019/20 season include the title role of Puccini’s Tosca both at the Semperoper Dresden (November 1 & 14), and at the Staatsoper Hamburg in Robert Carsen’s staging under the baton of Ivan Repušić (March 21, 2020). Her final operatic engagement is her debut in the title role of Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur at the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, in a new production by Rosetta Cucchi (April 23 & 24, 2020).

On the concert stage, Ms. Opolais makes her debut in China, in a recital with pianist Agnese Eglina at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center (January 11, 2020). She performs Strauss’ Vier lezte Lieder, for soprano and orchestra, with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, led by Fabio Luisi in Japan (January 22, 23, 24, & 25, 2020); and a gala concert at the Grand Hall Conservatory with tenor Jonathan Tetelman (February 25, 2020). For more information about Kristine’s season and dates, please visit her Calendar.

Photo: Tatyana Vlasova