On January 8, 2018 George Gagnidze returns to the Metropolitan Opera as Alfio in Cavalleria rusticana and Tonio in Pagliacci, in a production by David McVicar under the musical direction of Nicola Luisotti. In Cavalleria rusticana he will share the stage with Ekaterina Semenchuk and Eva-Maria Westbroek as Santuzza, and Roberto Alagna as Turiddu; in Pagliacci he will appear alongside Roberto Alagna as Canio, Aleksandra Kurzak as Nedda and Alessio Arduini as Silvio.

George Gagnidze interpreted both parts to rave reviews when the David McVicar production was first unveiled in April 2015. The Georgian baritone made his highly successful Metropolitan Opera debut as Rigoletto in the 2008/2009 season, and – in addition to the two Verismo double bill characters – has performed four more roles on that prestigious stage: the title role of Macbeth, Scarpia in Tosca, Amonasro in Aida and Shaklovity in Khovanschina. This season the roles of Alfio and Tonio also lead him to the Hamburg State Opera and to the Rome Opera House.

Other engagements of the 2017/2018 season include Amonasro in Aida at the Teatro alla Scala Milan and at the Teatro Real Madrid and his role debut as Barnaba in La Gioconda at the Deutsche Opera Berlin.

Information about Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci at the Metropolitan Opera (January 8, 13, 17, 20, 25, 29; February 1, 2018)

Cavalleria rusticana:

Santuzza: Ekaterina Semenchuk (Jan. 8, 13, 17) / Eva-Maria Westbrock (Jan. 20, 25, 29; Feb 1.); Turiddu: Roberto Alagna; Alfio: George Gagnidze (Jan. 8, 13, 17, 20, 25) / Željko Lučić (Jan 29; Feb 1).

Pagliacci:

Canio: Roberto Alagna; Nedda: Aleksandra Kurzak (Nedda); Tonio: George Gagnidze; Silvio: Alessio Arduini

https://www.metopera.org/Season/2017-18-Season/cav-pag-tickets/