17.10.2026

“Carmen” at LA Opera

“Carmen” at LA Opera

On October 17, Domingo Hindoyan takes the podium at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the premiere of a new production of Georges Bizet’s "Carmen," inaugurating LA Opera’s 2026/27 season and making his first appearance as the company’s Richard Seaver Music Director. He officially assumed the position on July 1, 2026, beginning a five-year term, and is only the third Music Director in the company’s history, succeeding Kent Nagano and James Conlon. Thaddeus Strassberger directs and designs the new staging, which draws on Spanish Gothic imagery to create a dark atmosphere, with choreography by Antonio Najarro. The cast features Rihab Chaieb as Carmen, Joshua Guerrero as Don José, Kathleen O’Mara as Micaëla, and Liam James Kara as Escamillo in the principal roles. Further performances: October 25, 27, and 29; November 1, 4, and 7.

05.09.2026

“Rigoletto” at the Staatsoper Berlin

Domingo Hindoyan begins a rich and thrilling season on September 5, conducting "Rigoletto" at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden. The performance also officially launches the Berlin company’s 2026/27 season. The engagement brings the Venezuelan conductor back to a house with which he shares a long and meaningful history. From 2013 to 2016, Domingo Hindoyan served as first assistant to Daniel Barenboim at the Staatsoper and has since returned to conduct productions including "Madama Butterfly", "La bohème" and "Tosca". Domingo Hindoyan now leads Bartlett Sher’s production of one of Verdi’s most powerful and dramatically concentrated operas, with Simon Keenlyside in the title role, Ben Bliss as the Duke of Mantua and Elena Villalón as Gilda. Alexander Tsymbalyuk sings Sparafucile and Anna Kissjudit appears as Maddalena, alongside the Staatskapelle Berlin and Staatsopernchor. Performances take place on September 5, 11, 17, 19, 23 and 25.