April 20, 2025
MARIGONA QERKEZI DEBUTS AT THE OPER FRANKFURT AS NORMA
On Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, Marigona Qerkezi will debut at Oper Frankfurt in one of the most emblematic and career-defining soprano roles, Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma, in a Christof Loy production under the musical direction of Giuliano Carella, sharing the stage with Angelo Villari as Pollione, Bianca Andrew as Adalgisa, Simon Lim as Oroveso, Julia Stuart as Clotilde, and Abraham Bretón as Flavio. Additional performances will be on April 27, May 3, 9, 11, 15, 17, 23, 31. “I performed Norma for the first time in the United States, at Palm Beach Opera in Florida, in 2024.”, states Marigona Qerkezi. “It was a wonderful experience and, without a doubt, a significant milestone in my artistic journey. This is a role I had long dreamed of and studied, and from the very first rehearsal, I felt a deep, almost visceral connection to this extraordinary character.”
“The interpretative and emotional complexity of Norma—her inner strength interwoven with her vulnerability—moved me profoundly,” continues the Kosovan, Croatia-raised soprano.” It is a role that continues to challenge and inspire me each time I return to it, and I am thrilled at the prospect of exploring it further in the future through new productions and fresh perspectives. Each encounter with her reveals new layers, not only in the music and dramaturgy but also within myself as a performer. Norma is, in every sense, the true queen of Bel Canto. For this reason, I am especially honored to bring her back to the stage with my debut at Oper Frankfurt, under the musical direction of Maestro Giuliano Carella, in Christof Loy's production. Widely regarded as one of today’s most sought-after sopranos, Marigona Qerkezi first rose to prominence at a young age as a Mozart specialist and interpreter of high-lying lyric roles such as Lucia di Lammermoor and Gilda. She has since garnered widespread acclaim for her seamless transition into the dramatic coloratura repertoire, excelling in bel canto and Verdi heroines including Abigaille in Nabucco, Elvira in Ernani, Leonora in Il trovatore, and Anna Bolena—not to mention her signature portrayal of Norma. Her artistic versatility has also brought her to triumph in iconic roles such as Aida and Manon Lescaut, with Tosca soon to join this distinguished repertoire. She has appeared on many of the world’s prestigious opera stages and festivals, including the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Teatro La Fenice in Venice, New National Theatre Tokyo, Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, Opéra Royal de Wallonie in Liège, Teatro Comunale Pavarotti-Freni in Modena, Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen, Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari, Palm Beach Opera, the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, the Festival Verdi at the Teatro Regio di Parma, and the Savonlinna Opera Festival.
