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Brian Mulligan takes the stage as Jochanaan in a new production of Richard Strauss’ Salome at the 87th Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Festival in Florence. This highly anticipated staging, directed by Emma Dante and conducted by Alexander Soddy, opens the renowned festival.

Based on Oscar Wilde’s scandalous play, Salome tells the gripping story of obsession and desire at the court of King Herod. Mulligan plays Jochanaan, the imprisoned prophet whose rejection of Salome seals his fate.

The electric cast also features Allison Oakes in the title role, Nikolai Schukoff as Herodes, and Anna Maria Chiuri as Herodias. The production features set designs by Carmine Maringola, costumes by Vanessa Sannino, lighting by Luigi Biondi, and choreography by Silvia Giuffrè.

Performances take place on April 13, 16, 23, and 27, with the April 13 performance being broadcast on Rai Radio 3.

Photo: Dario Acosta

This March, Brian Mulligan returns to Teatro di San Carlo as Jochanaan in Richard Strauss’ Salome, with performances on March 20, 23, 26, and 29. Conducted by Dan Ettinger, the production features stage direction by Manfred Schweigkofler, set design by Nicola Rubertelli, costumes by Daniela Ciancio, lighting by Claudio Schmid and choreography by Valentina Versino.

Praised by Bachtrack, Schweigkofler’s production “immerses the drama in a sort of no place-no time atmosphere, though tinged with a tang of the early decades of the twentieth century, the prurient age when the piece appeared. But although the production setting is not historically precise, it is wholly faithful to the libretto, showing the terrace of Herod’s palace with its big staircase and a cistern lid in the centre. The inclined giant mirror dominating the stage and reflecting the drawing reproduced on the floor added to the unceasing sense of alienation felt by the public, who at the end applauded enthusiastically.”

Mr. Mulligan, who made his role debut as Jochanaan at Dutch National Opera in 2022, joins a stellar cast led by Ricarda Merbeth as Salome, alongside Charles Workman as Herod, Lioba Braun as Herodias, and John Findon as Narraboth.

Photo: Dario Acosta

On February 14, a new album of Brahms’ Requiem will be released under the Chandos label, featuring Brian Mulligan as the baritone soloist. Originally recorded in March 2024, the album also showcases soprano soloist Johanna Wallroth alongside the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. The chorus is a collaboration of the Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Edvard Grieg Kor, and the Choir of Collegium Musicum, with Edward Gardner conducting this monumental work.

Photo: Dario Acosta

On January 29 and February 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, and 19, Brian Mulligan adds another new role to his repertoire: Alberich in Richard Wagner’s Das Rheingold. Mulligan joins Opéra Bastille for director Calixto Bieito’s new and fascinating production, which examines the impact of technology and science on human beings.

Mulligan is one of the world’s leading Wagnerians. Lisa Hirsch of San Francisco Classical Voice complimented his performance of Telramund in Parsifal, saying “You will not hear this role better sung, from Mulligan’s tonal beauty to his scrupulous legato and exemplary diction.”

Singing under the baton of Pablo Heras-Casado, Mulligan joins an outstanding ensemble cast, including Iain Paterson as Wotan, Eve-Maud Hubeaux as Fricka, Simon O’Neill as Loge, Kwangchul Youn as Fasolt, and Mika Kares as Fafner.

On November 15 and 17, Brian Mulligan makes an exciting role debut as Der Wanderer in Wagner’s triumphant Siegfried, presented in concert with the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra Under the baton of Markus Stenz. Mulligan is an accomplished Wagnerian, having already appeared in multiple productions of Die Walküre and Der fliegende Holländer earlier this season.

Mulligan joins an outstanding ensemble cast, including Simon O’Neill in the title role, Ya-Chung Huang as Mime, Tómas Tómasson as Alberich, Bjarni Thor Kristinsson as Fafner, Anna Danik as Erda, and Liu Yanhua as Brünnhilde. 

Brian Mulligan will take the stage as Pizarro in Fidelio at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on September 26, 29, and October 2, 5, and 10. He will be joined by an outstanding cast, including Elza van den Heever as Leonore, Russell Thomas as Florestan, Dimitry Ivashchenko as Rocco, and Brian Mulligan as Pizarro. Sydney Mancasola will portray Marzelline, with Daniel Espinal as Jaquino, and Alfred Walker as Don Fernando.

Enrique Mazzola conducts this gripping production of Beethoven’s only opera, while Matthew Ozawa’s direction offers a fresh and compelling take on the story of love and liberation. Praised as “transformative… a thoughtful examination of how we strive for the ideals of justice and freedom” (Toronto Star), Ozawa’s staging is set to offer a deeply resonant and unforgettable experience for audiences at the Civic Opera House.

Photo: Cory Weaver

On June 21 and 23, Brian Mulligan will star in the title role of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman in a concert version of the opera with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. These performances are part of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s 35th Anniversary Celebration Programmes and will be conducted by Jaap van Zweden, who previously led the orchestra in their acclaimed Ring cycle.

Mr. Mulligan will share the stage with Jennifer Holloway as Senta, Nikolai Schukoff as Erik, Ain Anger as Daland, Maya Yahav Gour as Mary, and Richard Trey Smagur as Steuermann. The Netherlands Radio Chorus and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Chorus will also be featured in these not-to-miss concerts.

Photos: Dario Acosta

This spring, Brian Mulligan makes his highly anticipated role and house debut as the Dutchman in Richard Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer at Teatro Regio Torino. The opera’s narrative centers on a cursed sea captain condemned to sail the seas forever until he finds true love. His fate takes a dramatic turn when he encounters Senta, a young woman whose unwavering love and willingness to sacrifice offer a glimmer of hope for his redemption.

Willy Decker’s acclaimed production, which inaugurated Teatro Regio Torino’s 2012-2013 season, is renowned for its minimalist yet striking costume and set designs by Wolfgang Gussmann. These designs effectively capture the ethereal dreamscape of Senta and her deep obsession with the Dutchman’s legend.

The outstanding cast also features Johanni Van Oostrum as Senta, Robert Watson as Erik, Gidon Saks as Daland, Annely Peebo as Mary, and Matthew Swensen as the Steersman. Nathalie Stutzmann will conduct the performances.

The performances are scheduled for May 17, 19, 22, 24, and 26.

Photos: Dario Acosta

This spring, Brian Mulligan joins the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra as Wotan in Die Walküre under the baton of Yannick Nezet-Seguin. Four concert performances of Wagner’s epic opera are scheduled, starting at de Doelen (Grand Hall) in Rotterdam on April 26, followed by shows at Festspielhaus Baden-Baden on April 28, Kozerthaus Dortmund on May 1, and concluding at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, France, on May 4.

The star-studded cast will also include Stanislas de Barbeyrac as Siegmund, Elza van den Heever as Sieglinde, Soloman Howard as Hunding, Brian Mulligan as Wotan, Karen Cargill as Fricka, Tamara Wilson as Brünnhilde, Jessica Faselt as Helmwige, Brittany Olivia Logan as Gerhilde, Justyna Bluj as Ortlinde, Iris van Wijnen as Waltraute, Maria Barakova as Siegrune, Ronnita Miller as Grimgerde, Anna Kissjudit as Schwertleite, and Catriona Morison as Roßweiße.

Photo: Dario Acosta

Brian Mulligan starts the new year with his role and company debut as Barak in Richard Strauss’ Die Frau ohne Schatten at Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse. Nicolas Joël’s production, which premiered at the company in 2006, beautifully lends itself to the complex story about love, transformation, and the pursuit of a human soul. With a rich and intricate musical score, the opera showcases Strauss’s brilliance in orchestrating a narrative that delves into mystical realms and profound human experiences.

The stellar cast also includes Issachah Savage as the Emperor, Elisabeth Teige as the Empress, Ricarda Merbeth as Barak’s Wife, Sophie Koch as the Nurse, Aleksei Isaev as The One-eyed Man, Dominic Barberi as The One-armed Man, Damien Bigourdan as The Hunchback, Thomas Dolié as The Spirit Messenger, Julie Goussot as The Voice of a Falcon / The Guardian of the Threshold, Pierre-Emmanuel Roubet as The Apparition of a Youth, Rose Naggar-Tremblay as The Voice from Above, and Katharina Semmelbeck as a servant. Frank Beermann conducts.

Performances are on January 25, 28, 31, and February 4.

Photo: Dario Acosta