Curated by Artistic Director Giorgos Koumendakis, the season features seven new productions, five revivals, a concert presentation, and two international tours. This programme is made possible by a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) to enhance the Greek National Opera’s artistic outreach.

After 65 years, the GNO returns to the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus with the historic production of Medea, originally created for Maria Callas in 1961, while also reviving beloved classics such as Tosca and La Traviata at the Stavros Niarchos Hall.

Highlights include the grand opening with La Gioconda, a co-production with the Royal Opera House and Salzburg Easter Festival, and the long-awaited Requiem for the End of Love by Koumendakis, Papaioannou, and Currentzis.

Anna Pirozzi, Aleksandra Kurzak, Gaëlle Arquez, Marina Viotti, Alisa Kolosova, Anita Rachvelishvili, Roberto Alagna, Charles Castronovo, Arsen Soghomonyan, Andrea Carè, and Marcelo Puente are just a few of the international opera stars who will perform at the Greek National Opera during the new season. The season also includes the hosting of the International Opera Awards in Athens on 13 November.

For more information and the full programme, visit nationalopera.gr/en.

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Indeed, the cast lists for the 2025 season have already been announced. Featured at the 71st edition of the Puccini Festival 2025, five of the composer’s greatest works will take center stage and create a major event. From July 18 to September 6, 2025, festivalgoers will have the opportunity to attend performances of Tosca (July 18, August 1, 9, and 29), Turandot (July 25, August 2, 14, 22, and September 5), La Bohème (July 19, 26, and August 7), Madama Butterfly (August 8 and 23), and finally Manon Lescaut (August 30 and September 6).

This array of masterpieces is complemented in the middle of the Puccini Festival by a gala recital on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, featuring Anna Netrebko, the greatest star among sopranos, accompanied by tenor Martin Muehle, as she announced on her personal website. Alongside the great diva, there are numerous exceptional performances.

The Gran Teatro all’Aperto, located on the shores of Lake Massaciuccoli, where Giacomo Puccini once owned a villa, will welcome Roberto Alagna as Mario Cavaradossi, who will sacrifice himself in vain to save his wife Tosca—played by the stunning Aleksandra Kurzak—from the clutches of the dreadful Baron Scarpia, portrayed by Luca Salsi. Other artists will also take part in Tosca, conducted by Giorgio Croci, including Valentina Boi, Carmen Giannattasio, and Eleonora Buratto, who will share the role of Floria Tosca, while Francesco Meli and Michael Fabiano will alternate as Mario Cavaradossi.

La Bohème, in Ettore Scola’s staging, also boasts an outstanding cast, notably featuring Nino Machaidze, Sara Branch, Vittorio Grigolo, and Vittorio Prato in the leading roles. During the Puccini Festival 2025, Madama Butterfly will stand out for the performance of soprano Maria Agresta, who is highly anticipated in the role.

Another highly acclaimed soprano in Italy, María José Siri, will portray Manon Lescaut, alongside Luciano Ganci as Des Grieux and Claudio Sgura as Lescaut.

The greatest voices of the opera scene will also be featured in Turandot, conducted by Renato Palombo. Indeed, the icy princess will be portrayed by the impressive Anna Pirozzi, opposite the equally grandiose tenor Gregory Kunde. Another well-known tenor, Yusif Eyvazov, will also take on the role of Calaf, while Olga Maslova will perform as Turandot, and Rosa Feola will sing Liù for one performance. Torre del Lago, where Giacomo Puccini was laid to rest in 1926, can take pride in hosting a remarkable edition of its Puccini Festival 2025.

To book your tickets for the Puccini’s Festival click here!

Affiche festival Puccini 2025 & Roberto Alagna avec Aleksandra Kurzak – c – Festival Puccini Website/Gregor Hohenberg

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Roberto Alagna © Gregor Hohenberg

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For once, unusually so early in the season, the Verona Arena Festival has unveiled the casts of the five operas scheduled this summer (Aida, Carmen, Nabucco, Rigoletto, and La Traviata). From June 13 to September 6, 2025, on one of the world’s largest opera stages, a parade of superstars is expected.

In addition to Jonas Kaufmann, announced for a recital, Anna Netrebko returns in Aida and also in Nabucco, where Anna Pirozzi, another great Abigaille, will also perform. Marina Rebeka, a star soprano, will make her Verona debut in Aida, alongside Angel Blue (Traviata) and Pene Pati (Rigoletto).

Familiar faces are returning, including Nadine Sierra, Piotr Beczała, Gregory Kunde, Amartuvshin Enkhbat (in Rigoletto, Nabucco, Aida, and Traviata), Ludovic Tézier (as Giorgio Germont and Amonasro), Luca Salsi, Erwin Schrott, as well as Aleksandra Kurzak and Roberto Alagna. The renowned couple will feature in Aida and Carmen, where audiences will also delight in seeing Anita Rachvelishvili and rising star Aigul Akhmetshina. Bookings are already open, and with such treasures on display, some performances will undoubtedly be more sought-after than others…

To book your tickets for the Verona Arena Festival

Verona Arena (c) Gianfranco Fainello

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Roberto Alagna (c) Kasia Paskuda

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The next productions on the bill will be more traditional with Don Quixote, the famous ballet choreographed by Laurent Hilaire and Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore starring Aleksandra Kurzak, Federica Guida, John Osborn and Juan Francisco Gatell in alternating roles.

Find your tickets here 

Francesco Giambrone (c) Rosellina Garbo

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