Elza van den Heever in two new leading roles at the MET and the San Francisco Opera
ELZA VAN DEN HEEVER in two new leading roles at the MET and the San Francisco Opera.
In the 2024/25 season, acclaimed soprano Elza van den Heever will take on two outstanding leading roles in significant new productions at renowned opera houses in the USA:
“SALOME” AT THE METROPOLITAN OPERA NEW YORK
In a highly anticipated new production of Richard Strauss's "Salome," Elza van den Heever returns to the Metropolitan Opera – under the musical direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who will conduct Strauss's powerful one-act drama at the MET for the first time. Director Claus Guth sets the story in a symbolic Victorian setting that combines psychological depth with visual opulence.
Van den Heever embodies the tormented title character who, in her obsession, demands the head of Jochanaan – sung by the acclaimed baritone Peter Mattei. Other roles are taken by Gerhard Siegel as Herodes, Michelle DeYoung as Herodias, and Piotr Buszewski as Narraboth. Two performances will be conducted by Derrick Inouye.
PREMIERE: April 29, 2025
Further performances: 2, 6, 10, 13, 17, 21, and 24 May 2025
More about the production on the MET website
IDOMENEO AT THE SAN FRANCISCO OPERA
Immediately following this, Elza van den Heever will be seen at the San Francisco Opera in the role of Elettra in Mozart's "Idomeneo". Lindy Hume's production addresses ecological and existential conflicts, combining breathtaking nature projections with the musical depth of Mozart's score.
Under the direction of Music Director Eun Sun Kim, van den Heever sings alongside Matthew Polenzani as Idomeneo, Daniela Mack as Idamante, Ying Fang as Ilia, and Alek Shrader as Arbace.
PREMIERE: June 14, 2025
Further performances: June 14, 17, 20, 22, and 25, 2025