WOLFGANG KOCH sings Alfio and Tonio in a new production of Cavalleria rusticana / I Pagliacci at the Bavarian State Opera Munich

WOLFGANG KOCH sings Alfio and Tonio in a new production of Cavalleria rusticana / I Pagliacci at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich.

This new production of "Cavalleria Rusticana" / "I Pagliacci" is the first new production of these two iconic verismo operas at the Bavarian State Opera in 46 years. One of the leading dramatic baritones of our time, Wolfgang Koch, will perform the roles of Alfio and Tonio in this production directed by Francesco Micheli, under the musical direction of Daniele Rustioni and Andrea Battistoni. He will also appear at the Bavarian State Opera as the Forester in "The Cunning Little Vixen" and Telramund in "Lohengrin." Internationally acclaimed for his commanding stage presence and powerful interpretations of core German and Italian repertoire, Koch will also return to the Vienna State Opera as Borromeo in "Palestrina" and will appear at the San Francisco Opera as Kurwenal in "Tristan und Isolde" in the 2024/25 season.

PREMIERE: May 22, 2025  

Further performances: May 25, 29, June 1, 4, 8, 12, July 9, 12, 2025  

Francesco Micheli, one of Italy's most original and influential directors and artistic director of the Donizetti Festival in Bergamo, makes his debut at the Bavarian State Opera with this new production. Micheli is known for lending contemporary social relevance to classical works, working closely with his long-standing creative team: set designer Edoardo Sanchi, costume designer Daniela Cernigliaro, and dramaturge Alberto Mattioli.