Salome Jicia, Nino Machaidze launch opera season at famed Teatro Massimo

Celebrated sopranos Salome Jicia and Nino Machaidze are under spotlight at Italy’s famed Teatro Massimo in an ongoing program of the opera classic Guillaume Tell.

The two internationally renowned singers are cast as Mathilde, a Habsburg princess and one of the principal characters of the 1829-premiered French-language opera by Gioachino Rossini.

Its staging marks a new theatrical season for Teatro Massimo, Europe’s third largest opera venue.

What a wonderful Opening night and a triumphant inauguration of the new season of @teatromassimo Thanks to the amazing audience for such big love,thanks to all of you for following us on live streaming and of course thanks to the fantastic team of our #GuillaumeTell I’m Happy pic.twitter.com/soakKeZmsf

— Nino Machaidze (@Nino_Machaidze) January 24, 2018

The occasion also heralds the first performance of the "original French edition” of the opera at the Palermo-based venue, directed by Damiano Michieletto.

Jicia and Machaidze are alternating in the Mathilde role in a bill running from January 23-January 31.

They are partnered by Roberto Frontali and Davide Damiani cast as Guillaume Tell, while Dmitry Korchak and Enea Scala are performing the role of Arnold Melcthal.

The Teatro Massimo Orchestra and Chorus is led by conductor Gabriele Ferro.

Premiering at the Paris Opera, the four-act work was based on Friedrich Schiller's 1804 German-language play Wilhelm Tell.

It narrates the story of the legendary Swiss marksman in struggles for independence from the Habsburg Empire in the 14th century.

Teatro Massimo, the largest opera venue in Italy, opened in 1897. Beside its performance stage, the theatre also includes other spaces of attraction like the historical Bellini Box for the nobility and the Auditorium, known for its acoustic qualities.