Ailyn Pérez begins the 2019/20 season starring as Nedda in Robert Carsen’s new production of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci at the Dutch National Opera. The opera is staged in a double-bill with its frequent partner, Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana, and Robert Carsen flips tradition by opening with Pagliacci. Pagliacci (‘Comedians’) and Cavalleria rusticana (‘Rustic chivalry’) are both classic examples of verismo operas, telling so-called realistic stories about the lives of ordinary people.
Performances will take place on September 5, 8, 11, 15, 18, 21, 24 & 28. The September 28 performance receives a live radio broadcast via NPO Radio 4’s “Opera Live” program. Ms. Pérez shares the stage with a world-class roster of artists, including Brandon Jovanovich as Canio, Roman Burdenko as Tonio, Marco Ciaponi as Peppe, and Mattia Olivieri as Silvio. In Cavalleria rusticana, the starry cast includes Anita Rachvelishvili as Santuzza, Rihab Chaieb as Lola, Brian Jagde as Turiddu, Roman Burdenko as Alfio, and Elen Zilio as Lucia. The creative team features set design by Radu Boruzescu and costume design by Annemarie Woods. Lorenzo Viotti will be making his debut with Dutch National Opera conducting the Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest, the Koor van De Nationale Opera, and the Nieuw Amsterdams Kinderkoor.
Photo: Dario Acosta