Opera Catalunya takes on Wagner's challenge
The 2025-2026 season includes 'The Flying Dutchman' in a program of four titles and 49 performances across the country.
BarcelonaThe great challenge of the 2025-2026 season of the Fundació Òpera Catalunya (FOC) is The Flying Dutchman, by Richard Wagner. Among other things, because it is the first time that a Wagnerian opera has been programmed in the 38 editions of the cycle. "It is the pearl of the season, the most ambitious project," admits Jordi Torrents, artistic director of the FOC. Wagner's first great romantic opera will be performed six times, from November 28 to December 9, at the Teatro la Farándula in Sabadell, the Teatro Fortuny in Reus, the Palacio de la Música in Barcelona, and L'Atlàntida in Vic. This production of The Flying Dutchman The stage direction is by Emilio López, and Josep Planells Schiaffino will conduct the Vallès Symphony Orchestra, the Friends of the Sabadell Opera Choir, and the Bruckner Barcelona Choir. The cast includes soprano Maribel Ortega, one of the most faithful voices to the FOC's programming, as Senta, and baritone José Antonio López takes on the role of the Dutchman. The cast is completed by José Ansaldi (Erik), Carlo Colombara (Daland), Elisabeth Gillming (Mary), and Jorge Juan Morata (Steurmann).
The artistic drive and self-esteem boost that the FOC's participation in Saaremaa Opera Festival (Estonia) The summer of 2024 marked a turning point. And it shows in challenges like this first Wagner, the pearl of an opera season that will begin with The Marriage of Figaro, by Mozart, from October 15 to November 16, and which also includes Rule, by Bellini (from February 18 to March 17), and La traviata, by Verdi, from April 22 to May 24. Almost fifty performances in thirteen cities: Sabadell, Barcelona, Cornellà de Llobregat, Figueres, Girona, Granollers, Lleida, Manresa, Reus, Sant Cugat del Vallés, Tarragona, Vic and Viladecans.
Throughout the season, and in addition to Josep Planells Schiaffino, the orchestra will also be conducted by Julio García-Vico, Daniel Gil de Tejada, Andrés Salado (new principal conductor of the Vallès Symphony Orchestra) and Isabel Rubio. Regarding the voices, it is worth highlighting the debuts with the FUE of Ferran Albrich, Laura del Río, María Hinojosa, Laura Orueta, Jordi Serrano-Jové, José Antonio López, Carlo Colombara, José Ansaldi, Elisabeth Gillming, Carmen Buendía, Montserrat Seró and Andrés Sánchez-Jo.
In addition to the four operas, the season also includes four performances of the community opera Push!; seven performances of The young Aïda, an educational show, with the Gran Teatro del Liceo, and a concert at the Palau de la Música with a selection of zarzuelas Song of love and war and Marine.