June 2025

Our front cover this month shows Sonya Yoncheva in the title role of the new production of Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta at the Vienna Staatsoper.

Features inside include:

The conductor Speranza Scappucci talking to Stephen J. Mudge as she prepares to take on her new role as principal guest conductor at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden.

Stéphane Fuget of Les Épopées discusses things Monteverdian and Handelian with Brian Robins.

As Hugh Macdonald’s new Bizet editions are published he outlines the process and pitfalls of editing.

Simon Estes looks back at his many performances and interpretations of the role of Wagner’s Dutchman, in conversation with Roger Pines.

August Ventura looks at the convention-defying international career of the Iowa-born soprano Margherita Roberti.

Our Stage Door emerging artist this month is the Swiss soprano Chelsea Zerflüh.

Productions reviewed around the world include: Macbeth in Atlanta, Peter Grimes at Welsh National Opera, Julietta in Nice, Stiffelio in Sarasota, Gerald Barry’s Salome in Magdeburg, Britten’s War Requiem in Tel Aviv, Così fan tutte in Los Angeles, Iolanta and Betrothal in a Monastery in Vienna, Ariadne auf Naxos in Amsterdam, Semele in Paris, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk in Düsseldorf, Alcina in Rome, Katya Kabanova in Munich .