Top 10 Opera Reviews Spain 2025 | [Publication Name]

Verdi, Sierra, and Anduaga Dominate Spain’s Opera Scene in 2025

A surge in readership for ÓPERA ACTUAL reviews reveals a vibrant opera landscape in Spain, with Verdi’s timeless works and the captivating performances of stars like Nadine Sierra and Xabier Anduaga leading the charge in 2025. The year witnessed a passionate embrace of both classic and contemporary productions across the nation’s leading theaters.

A Year of Passionate Performances

The year 2025 has reaffirmed opera’s enduring appeal in Spain, as evidenced by the most-read reviews on CURRENT OPERA. The data highlights the prominence of venues like the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona and the Teatro Real in Madrid, alongside significant contributions from theaters in Bilbao, Málaga, and València. The presence of both internationally acclaimed artists and established national figures fueled public interest, driving thousands of visits to the website.

Verdi emerged as the dominant composer of the year, with multiple successful productions of La Traviata, alongside revivals of Falstaff and Aida. However, the season also showcased surprising successes with works like Mari-Eli de Guridi and Janáček’s The Cunning Little Fox, demonstrating a willingness to embrace diverse repertoire.

Top 10 Opera Productions of 2025

Here’s a look at the productions that captivated audiences and readers alike:

1. A Dark Cabaret: Janáček’s The Cunning Little Fox

The season opened with a striking production of Janáček’s The Cunning Little Fox at the Gran Teatre del Liceu on September 23, 2025. The imaginative and poetic staging by Barry Kosky was lauded for its theatricality and insightful musical interpretation, described as a “dark and cabaret” experience.

2. Sierra Shines in La Traviata

Nadine Sierra cemented her status as a leading soprano with a stellar performance in Verdi’s La Traviata at the Gran Teatre del Liceu on January 17, 2025. Paired with Javier Camarena, the performance resonated deeply with the Barcelona audience, confirming what one reviewer called the “love affair of the Barcelona public with the American soprano.”

3. Bieito’s Contemporary Mari-Eli

The Teatro Arriaga saw a bold new production of Mari-Eli by Guridi on May 1, 2025, under the direction of Calixto Bieito. Bieito, the artistic director of the Bilbao coliseum, presented a contemporary take on the work, sparking conversation and attracting a new audience.

4. Álvarez’s Charismatic Falstaff

A charismatic performance by Carlos Álvarez anchored a successful production of Verdi’s Falstaff at the Teatro Calderón de Valladolid on May 28, 2025. The production was praised for achieving a balance between theatrical flair and musical excellence.

5. Controversy and Sex in Evgeni Onegin

The Teatro Real’s production of Tchaikovsky’s Evgeni Onegin on January 22, 2025, proved to be one of the year’s most talked-about events. Under the musical direction of Gustavo Gimeno and the stage reading of Christopher Loy, the production sparked debate with its provocative interpretation. “Sex, a lot of sex, in Christof Loy’s ‘Onegin’” was how one critic succinctly described the experience.

6. Sierra and Anduaga Triumph in La Traviata (Teatro Real)

Nadine Sierra returned to the stage in Verdi’s La Traviata at the Teatro Real on June 24, 2025, this time alongside Xabier Anduaga as Alfredo. The pairing proved successful, with both artists triumphing in their roles.

7. Avant-Garde Fusion at Palau de les Arts

The Palau de les Arts presented an original show on February 14, 2025, uniting Zemlinsky’s A ray of light with Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire. The production was described as a captivating blend of historical avant-garde and café-theater.

8. Anduaga’s Promising Debut in La Traviata

Xabier Anduaga made a “happy and promising” debut as Alfredo in Verdi’s La Traviata at the Gran Teatre del Liceu on January 18, 2025, in an alternative cast performance. This role would later be repeated in Madrid, further solidifying his rising star status.

9. Sierra and Anduaga’s Magnetic The Sleepwalker

A new collaboration between Nadine Sierra and Xabier Anduaga in Bellini’s The Sleepwalker at the Gran Teatre del Liceu on April 22, 2025, showcased their “scenic and vocal magnetism” in this masterpiece of romantic bel canto.

10. Zeffirelli’s Aida Endures in Málaga

The Teatro Cervantes de Málaga’s production of Verdi’s Aida on March 7, 2025, featuring Rocio Ignacio and Jorge de León, reaffirmed the enduring power of Verdi’s work on the Spanish operatic landscape. The production utilized Zeffirelli’s classic staging.

Looking Ahead

The success of these productions underscores the continued vitality of opera in Spain. The combination of established stars like Sierra, Álvarez, and de León, alongside rising talents like Anduaga and Camarena, promises a bright future for the art form. The willingness of Spanish theaters to embrace both traditional repertoire and innovative productions suggests a dynamic and evolving operatic scene poised for continued growth and engagement in the years to come.