Every year the Music Festival Stars of the White Nights brings together the leading lights of the international opera stage – brilliant artists whose names have long become synonymous with artistry and excellence. This July, audiences can look forward to an exceptional constellation of world-renowned performers. Featured in opera productions at the Mariinsky Theatre will be Ambrogio Maestri, Albina Shagimuratova, Hibla Gerzmava, Hovhannes Ayvazyan, Olga Borodina, Vladislav Sulimsky, Mikhail Petrenko, Sergei Skorokhodov, Alexey Markov, Dmitry Korchak, Tatiana Serjan and Irina Churilova.
On 3 July the Historic Stage will present Tchaikovsky’s immortal Russian opera Eugene Onegin – his celebrated “lyrical scenes”. In this legendary production staged by Yuri Temirkanov, the principal roles will be sung by an outstanding cast: Alexey Markov, Maria Bayankina, Dmitry Korchak, Yekaterina Sergeyeva and Mikhail Kit. The performance will be conducted by Timur Zangiev.
On 8 July the Mariinsky II will host a performance of Francesco Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur, a tale of love, jealousy, passion, and betrayal centred on the celebrated actress of the Comédie-Française – one of the most influential theatrical figures of the Enlightenment. The principal roles will be sung by Tatiana Serjan, Hovhannes Ayvazyan (also appearing in Verdi’s Il trovatore on 10 July), Zinaida Tsarenko, Dmitry Grigoriev and Alexander Mikhailov. Making his Mariinsky Theatre debut as Michonnet will be the acclaimed Italian baritone Ambrogio Maestri.
Audiences will have a second opportunity to hear Ambrogio Maestri on 11 July, when he makes his Mariinsky Theatre debut in the title role of Donizetti’s delightful comic opera Don Pasquale. This is a must-see event: the celebrated singer has conquered the world’s most prestigious stages not only with his formidable vocal prowess but also with his extraordinary dramatic gifts – particularly in comedic roles. Joining him on stage will be Boris Stepanov and Oleg Balashov.
On 9 July the Mariinsky II will present one of the most enigmatic works in the Russian operatic repertoire – Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades. The cast will feature a stellar lineup: Olga Borodina, Vladislav Sulimsky, Irina Churilova, Dmitry Golovnin and Daria Tereshchenko.
On 12 July the audience will be treated to Wagner’s life-affirming opera Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, a production of rare beauty that became the centerpiece of the company’s landmark 240th season and crowned its unique collection of Wagner operas. The performance will feature the brilliant Sergei Skorokhodov and Mikhail Petrenko (who received the Russian opera award Casta Diva for his role in this opera). Conductor is Christian Knapp.
On 16 July the festival will present Verdi’s masterpiece Otello, brought to life by a golden duo of vocal stars. The title role will be performed by Honoured Artist of the Republic of Armenia Hovhannes Ayvazyan, while the role of Desdemona will be sung by People’s Artist of Russia and Abkhazia, the incomparable Hibla Gerzmava. Leading the Mariinsky Orchestra will be maestro Valery Gergiev.
A special treat for festivalgoers will be three performances by Honoured Artist of Russia and People’s Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan Albina Shagimuratova. On 14 July the audience’s beloved soprano will appear in one of her signature roles – Lucia in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor (concert performance), with Sergei Skorokhodov and Miroslav Molchanov also in the cast. On 23 and 26 July her flawless interpretation of the spellbinding aria Casta diva will grace the stage in Bellini’s Norma, the highly anticipated new production that opened the 2025 Stars of the White Nights festival.
The XXXIII Music Festival Stars of the White Nights is held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The festival’s Artistic Director is Valery Gergiev.
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