Kirill Serebrennikov directs new productions in Amsterdam and Berlin
Celebrated theatre, opera, and film director KIRILL SEREBRENNIKOV brings two major new stagings to European opera houses in 2025.
“Boris Godunov” – Dutch National Opera
Following his striking Amsterdam debut with “Der Freischütz”, Kirill Serebrennikov returns to Dutch National Opera with a bold new interpretation of Mussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov”. In this new production, Serebrennikov draws parallels between Mussorgsky’s depiction of political upheaval in Tsarist Russia and the realities of contemporary power struggles, highlighting the societal cost of authoritarian regimes.
Leading bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny makes his role debut as Boris Godunov. He is joined by Raehann Bryce-Davis as Marina Mnishek, Dmitry Ulyanov as Pimen, and Najmiddin Mavlyanov as Grigory. Vasily Petrenko makes his debut with Dutch National Opera, conducting the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Chorus of Dutch National Opera.
Dutch National Opera:
PREMIERE: June 10, 2025
Further performances: June 14, 17, 20, 23, 26 2025
"Don Giovanni" / "Requiem" – Komische Oper Berlin
At the Komische Oper Berlin, Serebrennikov continues his Mozart-Da Ponte trilogy with a new production of “Don Giovanni”, paired with the unfinished movements of Mozart’s “Requiem”. Following “Così fan tutte” and “Le nozze di Figaro”, this final installment takes place in the “bardo” — a Buddhist transitional realm between death and rebirth. Don Giovanni’s pleasures are reimagined as preparations for his descent into the afterlife, culminating in his journey into hell and the transcendent “Requiem”.
This thought-provoking staging underscores Serebrennikov’s fearless theatrical vision, blending philosophical depth with bold visual storytelling.
Komische Oper Berlin:
PREMIERE: April 27, 2025
Further performances: May 3, 9, 11, 14, 17, 23 2025
With these two new productions, Kirill Serebrennikov reaffirms his place as one of the most original and daring voices in contemporary opera.