George Gagnidze opens his 2026/27 season on September 25, making his Boston Lyric Opera debut in the title role of Rossini’s Guillaume Tell. The new production launches Boston Lyric Opera’s landmark 50th season.

The performances mark a rare return to the role for George Gagnidze, who first sang Guillaume Tell in 2008 at the Deutsches Nationaltheater Weimar, early in his international career. Nearly two decades later, he revisits Rossini’s legendary Swiss freedom fighter after establishing himself as one of today’s leading dramatic baritones, with nearly 150 performances at the Metropolitan Opera and appearances at all the world’s major opera houses.

Boston Lyric Opera presents Rossini’s final opera in a fully staged Boston production for the first time in more than 150 years. Vita Tzykun and David Adam Moore co-direct the new staging, with Music Director David Angus conducting the BLO Orchestra and Chorus.

Joining George Gagnidze are Anya Matanovič as Mathilde, Konu Kim as Arnold, Nina Yoshida Nelsen as Hedwige, Brianna J. Robinson as Jemmy, Hunter Enoch as Gessler, James Demler as Melchtal, Sergio Martinez as Walter Furst and Morgan Mastrangelo as Ruodi.

Performances take place at the Emerson Colonial Theatre on September 25 and 27 and October 2 and 4.