George Gagnidze returns to the Metropolitan Opera New York as the protagonist of Nabucco on September 28, in a production by Elijah Moshinsky conducted by Daniele Callegari. He will share the stage with Liudmyla Monastirska as Abigaille, Dmitry Belosselskiy as Zaccaria, SeokJong Baek / Rafael Davila as Ismaele, and Maria Barakova as Fenena. There will be 13 additional shows through January 26, 2024. The January 6 performance will be HD broadcast in cinemas throughout the world.

Following his highly acclaimed debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Rigoletto in 2009, the Georgian baritone has sung over 100 performances in that theater, in roles ranging from Macbeth, and Michele in Il tabarro, to Šaklovityj (Chovanščina), Alfio in Cavalleria rusticana, Tonio in Pagliacci.

Although this is his first Nabucco at the Metropolitan Opera, George Gagnidze has interpreted the role of the imperious Assyrian king in numerous opera houses and festivals, including the Arena di Verona, the Vienna State Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Teatro Real Madrid, Hamburg State Opera and the Tbilisi Opera House, his own native town. Next year this Verdi early masterpiece will serve as his debut at the Savonlinna Festival in Finland.

[Photo: O-PR]