Kristine Opolais makes her highly anticipated debut at the Semperoper Dresden in Johannes Schaaf’s stimulating revival of Puccini’s Tosca. Antonino Fogliani conducts the Staatskapelle and Staatsopernchor Dresden in performances on November 1 & 14. The staging by Christof Cremer provides a traditional setting of Rome in 1800, with costume design by Petra Reinhardt.

A signature role for Ms. Opolais, joining her is a spectacular cast including Riccardo Massi as Cavaradossi, Andrzej Dobber as Scarpia, Lawson Anderson as Angelotti, Matthias Henneberg as Der Mesner, Michael Smallwood as Spoletta, Tilmann Rönnebeck as Sciarrone, and Allen Boxer as Ein Schliesser. Ms. Opolais comes to this production after her recent portrayal of Tosca at the Royal Opera House in May 2019, during which she garnered critical acclaim:

“Kristine Opolais moves with the grace of a ballerina, her Tosca every inch the superstar of the Roman stage. She is hilariously funny in her jealous teasing of her lover, Cavaradossi, and later than a match for Scarpia, who has played submissive games with women for so long that he cannot recognise one who will fight back.” (Broadway World)

“Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais in the titular role has the right combination of melodrama and steeliness, with an agile and lucid voice. This is showcased in her thrilling aria Vissi d’Arte. In Act Two, having come off stage, Tosca wears a heavy glittering dress which she has to drag behind her, all her finery merely adding to the pathos of what will come.” (The Upcoming)