© MatThias jung
The Greek-German conductor takes the podium for a new production of Verdi’s operatic masterpiece, directed by Katharina Kastening, premiering on 31 October 2026.
WUPPERTAL, 28 OCTOBER 2026 — Greek-German conductor Yorgos Ziavras opens his season as Chief Conductor of Oper Wuppertal with a new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Otello, premiering on Saturday, 31 October 2026, at the Opernhaus Wuppertal. Directed by Katharina Kastening, the production brings together the Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal, the Opera Chorus and Extra Chorus of Wuppertaler Bühnen, and an international cast for one of the most demanding works in the Italian operatic repertoire.
Based on William Shakespeare’s tragedy, with a libretto by Arrigo Boito, Otello stands among Verdi’s most extraordinary dramatic achievements. First performed in 1887, the composer's penultimate opera explores jealousy, manipulation, the abuse of power, and the devastating consequences of mistrust. Its richly orchestrated score, continuous dramatic development, and intense psychological characterisation demand exceptional precision and sensitivity from both orchestra and singers.
For Ziavras, the production marks a significant moment in his artistic relationship with Oper Wuppertal. Following his appointment as Principal Conductor in 2025 and his subsequent promotion to Chief Conductor for the 2026/27 season, Otello represents the first major operatic production of his new tenure. His musical direction brings together the Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal and the company's vocal forces in a score that moves between monumental orchestral passages and moments of profound intimacy.
Director Katharina Kastening, previously acclaimed in Wuppertal for her production of Thumbprint, approaches Verdi's tragedy through a contemporary perspective, examining its psychological complexities while introducing new female viewpoints into a story traditionally dominated by its male protagonists. The production features set design by Matthias Kronfuss, costumes by Devi Saha, video design by Frouke ten Velden, and dramaturgy by Laura Knoll.
British tenor Charne Rochford takes on the title role of Otello, alongside Zurab Nakeuri as Jago and Francesca Chiejina as Desdemona. The cast also includes Milan de Korte and Zicong Han as Cassio, Sergio Augusto as Roderigo, Oliver Weidinger as Ludovico, and Edith Grossman and Rosamond Thomas as Emilia.
The premiere launches an important chapter in Ziavras's work at Oper Wuppertal. Throughout the 2026/27 season, he will continue to lead productions spanning the established operatic repertoire and contemporary music theatre, including Ellen Reid's Pulitzer Prize-winning PRISM and Bizet's Carmen.
Otello premieres on 31 October 2026 at 19:30 at the Opernhaus Wuppertal, with further performances scheduled throughout the 2026/27 season. The opera is performed in Italian with German and English surtitles.
© MATTHIAS JUNG
