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Zenaida des Aubris

Zenaida des Aubris

Zenaida des Aubris, based in Berlin, has over 30 years experience in artist management and production of classical music and opera in the United States, Europe and Asia. Currently, she offers consultation to music competitions and schools as well as to individual recent graduates on how to manage themselves and kickstart their careers through her company Opera Career Advice.

Author:Zenaida des Aubris

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Younghi Pagh-Paan celebrated as Busan Philharmonic concludes Musikfest Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 23 September 2025

With a programme spanning from Pagh-Paan, Ravel and Messiean to Sibelius, the Korean orchestra showcases its mastery at the Philharmonie Berlin.

****1

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Busan Philharmonic concludes Musikfest Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Geometric opera: Blitzstein’s Parabola and Circula takes its bow at Musikfest Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 21 September 2025

The – much belated – world premiere of Blitzstein's 1929 one-act opera is paired with Bernstein's Second Symphony, performed by the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra.

****1

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Blitzstein’s Parabola and Circula takes its bow at Musikfest Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Opulent minimalism: Kosky directs a new staging of Akhnaten

By Zenaida des Aubris, 23 March 2025

Barrie Kosky's new production of Philip Glass' Akhnaten for Komische Oper at the Schillertheater removes any egyptological references.

****1

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Opulent minimalism: Kosky directs a new staging of Akhnaten

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Upstairs, downstairs, Richard Strauss style: Die Frau ohne Schatten at Deutsche Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris, 26 January 2025

Tobias Kratzer gives his third Strauss production in three seasons at Deutsche Oper Berlin another contemporary spin.

****1

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Upstairs, downstairs: Die Frau ohne Schatten at Deutsche Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Punk loves pink in Mariame Clément’s new Roméo et Juliette at the Staatsoper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 24 November 2024

The French director updates the action to the present day, underscoring the validity of the plot – feuding families and class differences are still relevant.

***11

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Punk loves pink in Mariame Clément’s Berlin Roméo et Juliette

By Zenaida des Aubris

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A tribute to bad taste: Marie-Ève Signeyrole directs a new Macbeth at Deutsche Oper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 23 November 2024

When does opera direction go too far? Marie-Ève Signeyrole provides the answers in her tasteless, explicit staging of Verdi's Macbeth in Berlin.

**111

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A tribute to bad taste: a new Macbeth at Deutsche Oper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Real and emotional fires light the Berlin stage in Respighi’s La fiamma

By Zenaida des Aubris, 29 September 2024

Christof Loy and Carlo Rizzi score a great success in bringing Respighi’s rarely performed opera the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

****1

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Real and emotional fires light the stage in Respighi’s La fiamma

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Handelian labours: Barrie Kosky directs Hercules at the Komische Oper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 03 March 2024

Handel's seldom-performed Hercules becomes the latest oratorio to undergo the Kosky treatment at Komische Oper.

****1

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Handelian labours: Kosky directs Hercules at Komische Oper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Detlev Glanert's Die Jüdin von Toledo premieres at Semperoper Dresden

By Zenaida des Aubris, 10 February 2024

Robert Carsen stages the world premiere production of Glanert's opera, based Franz Grillparzer's 1851 play, in stringent, minimalist style.

*****

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Detlev Glanert's Die Jüdin von Toledo premieres at the Semperoper

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Waltzing masks and masquerades in Barrie Kosky’s new Fledermaus in Munich

By Zenaida des Aubris, 23 December 2023

Expect sequins and swinging chandeliers in the Australian director's new Fledermaus at the Bayerische Staatsoper.

****1

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Waltzing masks and masquerades in Kosky’s new Fledermaus

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Daylight robbery: Max Hopp falls short with Offenbach's Die Banditen at Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris, 17 December 2023

The last of Jacques Offenbach's great buffo operettas provides an opportunity for topical satire but Max Hopp’s attempts at updating it fall short of the mark.

**111

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Max Hopp falls short with Die Banditen at Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Of whales and metaphors: Peter Eötvös' Valuska premieres in Budapest

By Zenaida des Aubris, 02 December 2023

Peter Eötvös' 13th opera – the first in his native Hungarian – premieres at the Eiffel Art Studios in Budapest.

****1

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Of whales and metaphors: Peter Eötvös' Valuska premieres in Budapest

By Zenaida des Aubris

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A Finnish expedition with Mikko Franck and the Berliner Philharmoniker

By Zenaida des Aubris, 18 May 2023

A century of Finnish music from Sibelius to Salonen as Mikko Franck guest conducts at the Philharmonie.

****1

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A Finnish expedition with Mikko Franck and the Berliner Philharmoniker

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Víkingur Ólafsson and Santtu-Matias Rouvali bring Nordic brilliance to the Berliner Philharmoniker

By Zenaida des Aubris, 21 December 2022

Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson makes his debut with the Berlin Phil in John Adams' fiendish Must the Devil Have All the Good Tunes?.

****1

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Rouvali and Ólafsson bring Nordic brilliance to the Berlin Phil

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Wagner in the nursery: Herbert Fritsch directs a new Holländer at Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris, 10 December 2022

Sailor suits and powder-puff bows as Herbert Fritsch directs a colourful new production in Berlin.

***11

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Herbert Fritsch directs a new Holländer at Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Star conductor: Herbert Blomstedt returns to the Leipzig Gewandhaus

By Zenaida des Aubris, 13 November 2022

Herbert Blomstedt conducts Schubert and Berwald... and picks up a medal on his return to the Leipzig Gewandhaus.

*****

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Star conductor: Blomstedt returns to the Leipzig Gewandhaus

By Zenaida des Aubris

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When less is so much more: Blomstedt conducts the Berliner Philharmoniker

By Zenaida des Aubris, 29 September 2022

All vestiges of age-related considerations evaporate as Herbert Blomstedt conducts Schubert and Beethoven in Berlin's Philharmonie.

*****

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When less is so much more: Blomstedt conducts the Philharmoniker

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Georgiy Derbas-Richter: Looking for the soul of music

By Zenaida des Aubris, 14 September 2022

We speak to Ukrainian baritone Georgiy Derbas-Richter, the latest addition to the young talents training at the Dutch National Opera Studio.

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Georgiy Derbas-Richter: Looking for the soul of music

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Paavo Järvi conducts a feast for the musical intellect in Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 26 May 2022

The world premiere of Erkki-Sven Tüür's Flute Concerto, written for Berliner Philharmoniker principal Emmanuel Pahud, is the main dish in Järvi's three-course programme.

*****

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Paavo Järvi conducts a feast for the musical intellect in Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Schreker's Der Schatzgräber: Deutsche Oper Berlin's treasure hunt proves rewarding

By Zenaida des Aubris, 01 May 2022

Christof Loy unearths hidden treasure with an opera by Franz Schreker long since buried after taking Europe by storm in the 1920s.

****1

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Schreker's Der Schatzgräber: a rewarding treasure hunt in Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Kosky's soufflé for Verdi's Falstaff falls flat at Komische Oper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 30 April 2022

A dearth of nuance affects this new production of Verdi's late masterpiece in Berlin, set in Sir John's gourmet kitchen.

**111

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Kosky's soufflé for Verdi's Falstaff falls flat in Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Don Giovanni laughs off his own death at Staatsoper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 10 April 2022

Finishing up their Mozart-Da Ponte trilogy with Don Giovanni, Daniel Barenboim and Vincent Huguet rely on mild punchlines and dignified tempi

***11

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Don Giovanni laughs off his own death at Staatsoper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

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The Kyiv Soloists: music-making for peace

By Zenaida des Aubris, 06 April 2022

The ensemble from Kyiv was on tour when the war broke out, so they decided to keep making music to help fundraise for those left back home.

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The Kyiv Soloists: music-making for peace

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Young Artists To Watch: Elenora Hu – Living in the moment

By Zenaida des Aubris, 24 March 2022

We speak to the Dutch soprano about how the passion for opera dawned in her life, her experience winning a classical music television competition and what singing means to her.

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Elenora Hu – Living in the moment

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Peter Eötvös: Sleepless and the hope for a better world

By Zenaida des Aubris, 28 February 2022

We spoke to the Hungarian composer about his latest opera, future plans and how music and theatre go hand in hand.

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Peter Eötvös: Sleepless and the hope for a better world

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Lackluster Lohengrin revival at Deutsche Oper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 19 February 2022

Kasper Holten's decade-old production begins to show its age, in a routine revival with undistinguished soloists.

***11

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Lackluster Lohengrin revival at Deutsche Oper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

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At Deutsche Oper Berlin, Rued Langgaard's Antikrist receives only its fourth ever staging

By Zenaida des Aubris, 30 January 2022

The good and the bad are always within us in Rued Langgaard opera Antikrist, performed here in Ersan Mondtag's vibrant new production.

****1

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Rued Langgaard's Antikrist receives only its fourth ever staging

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Everything leads back to square one in Michieletto's Orfeo ed Euridice at Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris, 23 January 2022

A coherent, modern version of the Orpheus myth from the Italian director at the Komische Oper Berlin.

****1

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Everything leads back to square one in new Orfeo ed Euridice

By Zenaida des Aubris

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A parable for our times: Peter Eötvös' Sleepless premieres at the Staatsoper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 28 November 2021

Peter Eötvös's thirteenth opera, based on the Trilogy by Norwegian author Jon Fosse, chronicles the struggles of a young couple to search for their own identity and place in society.

****1

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A parable for our times: Eötvös' Sleepless premieres in Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Hell is where the home is: Jetske Mijnssen's new Kátya Kabanová at Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris, 27 November 2021

Komische Oper Berlin presents Leoš Janáček's masterpiece as a tight-knit psychodrama in a new production conducted by Giedrė Šlekytė.

****1

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Jetske Mijnssen's new Kátya Kabanová at Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Gods 1 – 0 Mortals in Staatsoper Berlin's Baroque Days festival

By Zenaida des Aubris, 05 November 2021

Àlex Ollé directs a rare version of Idoménée in Berlin, in which the staging fares better than the singing.

***11

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Gods 1 – 0 Mortals in Staatsoper Berlin's Baroque Days festival

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Young Artists To Watch: Maya Yahav Gour – A multi-tasking flow of talent

By Zenaida des Aubris, 26 October 2021

What shall it be – jazz or opera? We speak to this young mezzo-soprano whose talent and opportunities make decision-making very difficult.

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Maya Yahav Gour – A multi-tasking flow of talent

By Zenaida des Aubris

DSO Berlin opens its 75th anniversary season

By Zenaida des Aubris, 19 September 2021

The Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester performs works by Lang, Pärt, Stravinsky and Mahler under music director, Robin Ticciati.

****1

DSO Berlin opens its 75th anniversary season

By Zenaida des Aubris

Transparent, alert Mozart from Vikingur Ólafsson at the Konzerthaus Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 10 September 2021

Pablo Heras-Casado a programme featuring a classic combination of Mozart and Schumann.

****1

Transparent, alert Mozart from Vikingur Ólafsson in Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

Sophocles as contemporary as ever in Berlin as Œdipe opens at Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris, 29 August 2021

Leigh Melrose appears in a strong new Œdipe directed by Evgeny Titov to open the 2021-22 season at the Komische Oper.

****1

Sophocles as contemporary as ever as Œdipe opens at Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris

Michael Volle leads the musical potpourri in Hamburg

By Zenaida des Aubris, 29 June 2021

The Martha Argerich Festival minus Martha Argerich on this occasion, but ending with a Russian pièce de résistance.

***11

Michael Volle leads the musical potpourri in Hamburg

By Zenaida des Aubris

A delightful, updated Hansel and Gretel in Houston for young and old

By Zenaida des Aubris, 28 May 2021

Houston Grand Opera's new production is fully digital combining live singing with animated backgrounds.

*****

A delightful, updated Hansel and Gretel in Houston for young and old

By Zenaida des Aubris

Circus Days and Nights: Philip Glass takes opera to the big top for world premiere in Malmö

By Zenaida des Aubris, 29 May 2021

A world premiere of an opera by Philip Glass is bound to draw attention... especially when many of its performers are members of a circus troupe.

*****

Circus Days and Nights: Philip Glass takes opera to the big top

By Zenaida des Aubris

Pressing the “pause life” button with Arvo Pärt in Brussels

By Zenaida des Aubris, 15 May 2021

Kristjan Järvi conducts the Brussels Philharmonic and the Vlaams Radiokoor in a programme of Arvo Pärt's music.

****1

Pressing the “pause life” button with Arvo Pärt in Brussels

By Zenaida des Aubris

No smoke without fire? Susanna's Secret revealed at Bayerische Staatsoper

By Zenaida des Aubris, 26 April 2021

Axel Ranisch's staging of Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari's one-acter confounds with visual chaos.

***11

No smoke without fire? Susanna's Secret revealed in Munich

By Zenaida des Aubris

Audience returns to Amsterdam's Concertgebouw in pilot project

By Zenaida des Aubris, 16 April 2021

Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson makes his debut both with the conductor Paavo Järvi and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

*****

Audience returns to Amsterdam's Concertgebouw in pilot project

By Zenaida des Aubris

Aquatic favourites from Maurice Steger and the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra

By Zenaida des Aubris, 05 April 2021

Maurice Steger makes his debut with the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra in a concert of Baroque favourites.

*****

Aquatic favourites from the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra

By Zenaida des Aubris

A marriage crisis turned action comedy: a new Figaro at Staatsoper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 01 April 2021

Part of a new Da-Ponte trilogy, Le nozze di Figaro premieres online at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden Berlin

****1

A marriage crisis turned action comedy: Figaro in Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

Kosky's Semele revived in style at the Komische Oper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 12 December 2019

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Semele willingly pays the price of death through transformation.

****1

Kosky's Semele revived in style at the Komische Oper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

Thielemann returns to the Berlin Philharmonic with an all Richard Strauss programme

By Zenaida des Aubris, 05 December 2019

Two rarely performed works and an evergreen show off the prowess of this first class orchestra.

****1

Thielemann returns to the Berlin Phil with a Richard Strauss programme

By Zenaida des Aubris

Nocturnal orgies versus controlled reason: The Bassarids at Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris, 13 October 2019

Sophisticated interpretation of The Bassarids by Hans Werner Henze at the Komische Oper Berlin

*****

Nocturnal orgies versus controlled reason

By Zenaida des Aubris

Polished but emotionally cool: Rigoletto at Staatsoper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 02 June 2019

Nadine Sierra's Gilda is the highlight of Michael Sher's polished production, which doesn't quite tug at the heartstrings.

***11

Polished but cool: Rigoletto at Staatsoper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

M: a murderer hiding in plain sight at Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris, 05 May 2019

M – a city searches for a murderer, by Moritz Eggert and Barrie Kosky, receives its world premiere at the Komische Oper Berlin.

****1

M: a murderer hiding in plain sight at Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris

A free spirit: Glanert's Oceane premieres in Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 28 April 2019

Based on Theodor Fontane's novel Oceane von Parceval, Detlev Glanert's eleventh opera is given its world premiere at Deutsche Oper.

****1

A free spirit: Glanert's Oceane premieres in Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

Handel in the British Raj: Harry Kupfer returns to Komische Oper with a rarity

By Zenaida des Aubris, 16 March 2019

Loyalty and misdeeds in the jungle of emotions in Handel's Poro, re dell'Indie.

****1

Handel in the British Raj: Harry Kupfer returns to Komische Oper

By Zenaida des Aubris