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Calixto Bieito’s circus opens the Rossini Opera Festival: vocal triumphs in Zelmira

Anastasia Bartoli (Zelmira)
© Amati Bacciardi
Marina VIotti (Emma)
© Amati Bacciardi
Gianluca Margheri (Leucippo) and Enea Scala (Antenore)
© Amati Bacciardi
Zelmira
© Gianluca Margheri (Leucippo), Enea Scala (Antenore)
By Laura Servidei, 11 August 2025
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“Her rich, powerful soprano effortlessly navigated flawless coloratura”
Reviewed at Auditorium Scavolini, Pesaro on 10 August 2025
Programme
Rossini, Zelmira
Performers
Giacomo Sagripanti, Conductor
Calixto Bieito, Director, Set Designer
Barbora Horáková, Set Designer
Ingo Krügler, Costume Designer
Michael Bauer, Lighting Designer
Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna
Coro del Teatro Ventidio Basso
Anastasia Bartoli, Zelmira
Lawrence Brownlee, Ilo
Marko Mimica, Polidoro
Marina Viotti, Emma
Enea Scala, Antenore
Paolo Nevi, Eacide
Gianluca Margheri, Leucippo
Zong Shi, Bass
Pasquale Veleno, Choirmaster / chorus director
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A bleak Jenůfa from Calixto Bieito
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The director drains the life out of an impassioned opera with a staging devoid of authenticity and ideas.
**111
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****1
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More reviews...
Read reviews of
Anastasia BartoliBarbora HorákováCalixto BieitoCoro del Teatro Ventidio BassoEnea ScalaGiacomo SagripantiGianluca MargheriGioachino RossiniIngo KrüglerLawrence BrownleeMarina ViottiMarko MimicaMichael BauerOrchestra del Teatro Comunale di BolognaPaolo NeviPasquale VelenoZelmira
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Laura Servidei
Laura Servidei
Mathematician, science nerd, translator of popular science books, obsessed opera fan since the teen years. Day job: business analyst in a software house developing systems for the financial industry. Amateur choral singer. Main musical interests: baroque music and Italian opera. Originally from Italy, currently based in Sweden. I make a mean eggplant parmesan.