This year, following a well-established tradition at the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari the season opens with a rare opera of extraordinary musicological interest: The Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner. The journey began in 1998 with the opera Le fate by Richard Wagner (the CD recorded live was awarded the critics’ prize for disc of the year); in 1999 it continued with Dalibor by Bedřich Smetana, in 2000 with Gli stivaletti by Petr Il’ič Čajkovskij, in 2001 with Elena Egizia by Richard Strauss, in 2002 with Euryanthe by Carl Maria von Weber, in 2003 with Opričnik by Petr Il’ič Čajkovskij, in 2004 with Alfonso und Estrella by Franz Schubert, in 2005 with Oedipe by George Enescu, in 2006 with Chérubin by Jules Massenet, in 2007 with Die Vögel by Walter Braunfels, in 2008, with The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitež and of the maiden Fevronija by Nikolaj Rimskij Korsakov and in 2009 with Semën Kotko by Sergej Prokof’ev.

The Flying Dutchman was first staged at the Königlich Sächsisches Hoftheater in Dresden on 2nd January 1843, and is considered the origins of theatrical and musical beauty and also initiated a new phase of maturity in Wagner’s operatic style, despite being the fourth, following ‘Die Feen’, ‘Das Liebesverbot’ and ‘Rienzi’ by the brilliant German musician, Richard Wagner (Lipsia, 1813 – Venice, 1883). The legend-like, mythical theme, but above all the opera’s poetical theme of redemption, represents the fundamental novelty to which the composer returned several times over the following years in an attempt to reduce the orchestration that he himself considered too overpowering. The final version, dated 1860, is the one that is usually performed. This is the version that will be staged in Cagliari from 16th to 26th April, in a staging by the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, produced by Francesca Zambello of American birth, but Italian origin; Zambello is a pupil of the well known Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, from whom she learnt the dictates of the great European producing tradition. Alison Chitty is responsible for set design and costumes and Marko Letonja, who was applauded in Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci last year, is the conductor. The company of singers is specialized in the German repertoire.

The second appointment is from 31st May to 9th June, with the eagerly awaited return of the absolute masterpiece of musical bel canto: I Puritani by Vincenzo Bellini (Catania, 1801 - Puteaux, Paris, 1835), which has not been staged in Cagliari for 128 years. The undisputed star of this new staging by the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, in co production with the Massimo di Palermo and the Comunale di Bologna, is Mariella Devia, queen of the nineteenth century bel canto repertoire; She returns to Cagliari after her unforgettable performances in Lucia di Lammermoor in 2000 and 2004. John Osborn, young and emerging American tenor, performs the role of Arturo, while Luca Salsi is Sir Riccardo, Riccardo Zanellato Sir Giorgio and Mattia Denti Lord Gualtiero. Pier’Alli, visionary artist from Florence and creator of unforgettable shows, is totally responsible for the staging, directing in Cagliari for the first time. Ramon Tebar conducts the Teatro Lirico Orchestra and Chorus; the young Spanish conductor possesses a vast repertoire and numerous collaborations with the best musical institutions.

After nine years the very famous and much-loved melodrama Tosca by Giacomo Puccini (Lucca, 1858 - Brussels, 1924) will be staged from 2nd to 12th July. Mario Pontiggia, well-known and appraised producer and artistic director for the Opera House in Las Palmas Gran Canaria, directs the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino production dated October 2008. Francesco Zito is responsible for the traditionally elegant and refined set and costumes. Alexander Vedernikov, musical director at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, conducts the Teatro Lirico Orchestra and Chorus; Vedernikov has already opened two Opera Seasons in Cagliari and conducted several symphonic concerts. The prestigious cast includes Martina Serafin, in the role of the passionate and unfortunate protagonist; Roberto Aronica in that of the revolutionary painter Mario Cavaradossi, and Giorgio Surian in the role of the voluptuous baron Scarpia.

After the summer break the Opera and Ballet Season continues with Cinderella by Gioachino Rossini (Pesaro, 1792 - Passy de Paris, 1868), from 8th to 17th October, last performed in Cagliari in 1977. The drama giocoso in two acts with libretto by Jacopo Ferretti is based on the famous fairy tale by Charles Perrault. This is a new staging by the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, in co production with the theatres in Bari, Reggio Emilia and Nice. Daniele Abbado, together with Gianni Carluccio for the set, Giada Palloni for the costumes, produce a fascinating mise-en scène, which is modern, sober and follows the ‘Rossinian’ dictates respectfully.
Hubert Soudant conducts the orchestra. The young Sicilian mezzo-soprano Josè Maria Lo Monaco stars, alongside prestigious names such as Edgardo Rocha (Don Ramiro), Simone Alberghini (Dandini), Paolo Bordogna (Don Magnifico) and Nicola Ulivieri (Alidoro).

From 30th November to 7th December, splendid ballet comes to the stage for seven performances of The Nutcracker by Pëtr Il’ič Čajkovskij (Kamsko-Votkinsk, in the former the Imperial Russian province of Vyatka, 1840 – St. Petersburg, 1893). The Nutcracker is one of the world’s best-loved ballets and is performed by the Riga Opera House Ballet. This prestigious ballet company, an excellent example of romantic choreographic tradition, returns to the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari following last year’s the success of Le Corsaire by Adam. The Christmas fairy tale, which continues to magically enchant adults and children, has not been performed on the Teatro Lirico’s stage since February 2004. Farhads Stade conducts the Teatro Lirico Orchestra.

This year at the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari the Opera and Ballet Season proposes a novelty: two operas in concert form. This unique occasion permits the audience to concentrate particularly on the music, in the absence of the visual part typical of an opera production (direction, scenery, costumes and lights). The performances of The Queen of Spades by Petr Il’ič Čaikovskij (2008), ‘Prince Bluebeard’s Castle’ by Bartók (2008), Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin (2009), Orpheus and Eurydice by Gluck (2010) and I Shardana by Ennio Porrino (2010) were appreciated by the public; on 18th and 20th November, Fidelio by Ludwig van Beethoven (Bonn, 1770 - Vienna, 1827) will be performed and then on 16th and 18th December Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti (Bergamo, 1797 - 1848). The musical masterpiece, Fidelio, the universal Ode to freedom, is the composer’s only opera. Anthony Bramall, well known in Cagliari, conducts the orchestra and singers, with Caroline Whisnant in the role of the charming Leonore. The young Ukrainian, Andriy Yurkevich, conducts the young well-established cast in Don Pasquale.

All the operas are performed by the Teatro Lirico Orchestra and by the Chorus conducted by Fulvio Fogliazza.