Soprano Anna Netrebko is set to make her much-anticipated return to London’s Royal Opera after a six-year hiatus. She will open the 2025-26 season with a new production of Puccini's "Tosca," which will also mark the beginning of Jakub Hrůša’s tenure as the music director. This event signifies a notable moment for both the artist and the prestigious venue.
Netrebko is scheduled to perform four shows from September 11 to 21, 2025, in a production directed by Oliver Mears, which will be uniquely staged in a modern war-torn Rome. Alongside her in this production are tenor Freddie De Tommaso and baritone Gerald Finley, promising a compelling ensemble for audiences.
In addition to "Tosca," Netrebko will participate in four performances of a revival of another Puccini masterpiece, "Turandot," from December 15 to 23, and will also give a recital on June 24, 2026. Her last performance at Covent Garden occurred in April 2019, where she played the leading role in Verdi's "La Forza del Destino." A series of planned appearances in Verdi’s "Nabucco" in January 2022 were unfortunately canceled due to European travel restrictions.
After the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Netrebko faced significant professional challenges, including being dropped from future engagements by New York's Metropolitan Opera. The company's General Manager, Peter Gelb, mandated that she condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin, a request that led to her removal from their roster. Despite this, she has continued to perform at leading opera houses around the world and made her first performance in the United States in six years during a recital at Palm Beach Opera in February 2023.
Jakub Hrůša, succeeding Antonio Pappano as the music director, is set to conduct several significant productions during his inaugural season. This includes the company premiere of Janáček's "The Makropulos Case" on November 4, 2025, and a revival of Britten's "Peter Grimes" scheduled for May 5, 2026. Meanwhile, Speranza Scappucci will commence her role as the principal guest conductor with a revival of Verdi's "Les Vêpres Siciliennes" on September 19, 2025.
The Royal Opera House has also planned additional main-stage productions for the upcoming season. These include Handel's "Ariodante," which will premiere on December 9, 2025; Wagner's "Siegfried," slated for March 17, 2026; and Bellini's "I Puritani," scheduled for June 30, 2026. The upcoming season promises to be an exciting one for audiences, with a blend of classic operatic works and innovative new productions.
