A new season begins at the Liceu in Barcelona, immediately drawing attention with the return of Anna Netrebko. The Russian soprano will take the stage at the theater for the first time in five years, performing the lead role in Giuseppe Verdi’s opera ‘Aida.’ The Liceu management chose to open the season with this production, emphasizing that Netrebko’s return is a response to numerous requests from regular patrons. In 2021, the singer had already performed at the theater, but her participation in the anniversary gala program was later canceled to avoid undue focus on her persona.
Major premieres and new names
This season, the Liceu will stage nine opera productions and 194 performances of various genres. A special focus is on a new version of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s ‘La Flauta Mágica,’ conducted by Josep Pons, who returns as the theater’s honorary conductor. In total, ‘Aida’ will be performed 18 times, with Netrebko appearing on stage twice: in the opera and in a separate March concert with Brian Jagde and George Petean.
Political context and visual solutions
This year’s production of “Aida” has acquired an additional political dimension: the set design is by Iranian artist Shirin Neshat, who lives in exile. She was invited to the Liceu before the start of the military conflict in Iran, and now her work emphasizes themes of power and the vulnerability of exiles. According to organizers, Neshat sees art as a form of resistance and actively participates in international exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale. The season’s program also features Puccini’s “La Bohème,” Bellini’s “I Capuleti e i Montecchi,” Mozart’s “La clemenza di Tito” conducted by Jordi Savall, Thomas Adès’s “The Exterminating Angel” staged by Calixto Bieito, as well as a new “La Jove Aida” for children.
Conductors, budgets, and new projects
This year, British conductor Jonathan Nott joined the Liceu, having already made his debut with Nijinsky’s ballet, and will now lead productions of Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” and Janáček’s “Jenufa.” For the first time, the theater orchestra will have its own symphony subscription series. Nott will also conduct the New Year’s concert, a spring performance, and Benjamin Britten’s “War Requiem.” The theater’s season budget is set at 63 million euros, with 52% coming from ticket sales and 48% from public and private sources. Half of the funds go to salaries and another 20% to artistic expenses. Management aims to increase the number of digital subscribers to 10,000 and attract 300,000 spectators to the auditorium.
Historic premieres and new formats
Among the standout events is the long-awaited premiere of ‘Schiava e Regina’ by Lluïsa Casagemas, the first opera written by a woman for the European stage, which never saw the light of day due to the anarchist attack at the Liceu in 1893. The theater intends to restore historical justice and present the work to the public. The program also includes two new micro-operas and the second community opera, ‘La rosa de los siete pétalos’, created in collaboration with organizations from the Sant Andreu district. The ballet section of the season will again feature a grand gala, ‘El Cascanueces’, and ‘NumEros’ by the National Ballet Company.
Among the guest stars are Nadine Sierra, Lise Davidsen, Asmik Grigorian, and Sondra Radvanovsky. At the end of the year, the Liceu will close the season with ‘La Flauta Mágica’ featuring Serena Sáenz and Sara Blanch in the lead roles. According to the theater’s management, it will continue its collaboration with Josep Pons, who is considered not only a conductor but also a symbol of the institution.
In the context of Spain’s musical events, it is worth noting that interest in new formats and the return of renowned artists remains high. For example, a young performer from Ibiza recently shared his experience of participating in a music competition and the influence of family on his career — more details can be found in the article about the challenges young artists face in the industry.
According to RUSSPAIN, construction of the new Liceu Mar building is scheduled to be completed by 2030 or 2031. The president of the board of trustees, Salvador Alamany, confirmed that the project will be completed on time.
