Sonya Yoncheva returns to the Staatsoper Unter den Linden on September 26 to make her role debut as Julia in Gaspare Spontini’s La Vestale, the first new production of the company’s 2026/27 season. Lydia Steier directs the new staging, with Carlo Rizzi conducting the Staatskapelle Berlin.

The role of Julia marks another major addition to Sonya Yoncheva’s repertoire. As the Vestal virgin who defies the sacred laws of her order for her love of the Roman general Licinius, she stands at the center of Spontini’s tragédie lyrique.

The Bulgarian soprano has become a much-loved presence at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, where her previous roles include Violetta in La traviata, Mimì in La bohème, Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly, and the title roles in Médée, Tosca and Norma.

Joining Sonya Yoncheva are David Butt Philip as Licinius, Marina Prudenskaya as La Grande Vestale, Siyabonga Maqungo as Cinna and Adrian Sâmpetrean as Le Souverain Pontife, with the Staatsopernchor and Staatskapelle Berlin.

Sonya Yoncheva performs on September 26 and 30 and October 3, 6 and 9, with further performances on April 30 and May 6 and 8, 2027.