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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

Beginning his 2023-24 season, Brian Mulligan returns to San Francisco Opera as Friedrich von Telramund in Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin. Based on an infamous medieval tale about a mysterious rescuer who comes in a swan-drawn boat in defense of a damsel, David Alden’s staging of the magical opera has been set inside an oppressive war-torn city, making the opera eerily relevant to current times.

Mr. Mulligan will share the stage with Simon O’Neill as Lohengrin, Julie Adams as Elsa von Brabant, Kristinn Sigmundsson as King Heinrich, Judit Kutasi as Ortrud, Thomas Lehman as The King’s Herald. Music Director Eun Sun Kim conducts, marking the beginning of her journey through the works of Richard Wagner.

Performances are scheduled for October 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 2023 and November 1. There will be a live stream of the October 21st performance through the SFOpera website.

Photo: Dario Acosta

Brian Mulligan returns to the San Francisco Opera to celebrate the house’s historic centennial season. On June 16, celebrate the 100-year history of San Francisco Opera with a once-in-a-century concert featuring a cavalcade of beloved San Francisco Opera stars and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus led by conductors Eun Sun Kim, Sir Donald Runnicles, and Patrick Summers.

Joining Mulligan is a top notch group of singers, including soprano Karita Mattila, soprano Ailyn Pérez, soprano Patricia Racette, soprano Nina Stemme, soprano Heidi Stober, soprano Adela Zaharia, mezzo soprano Susan Graham, mezzo soprano Daniela Mack, tenor Lawrence Brownlee, tenor Michael Fabiano, tenor Brandon Jovanovich, tenor Russell Thomas, baritone Lucas Meachem, and bass-baritone Christian Van Horn. The concert is followed by a sumptuous and elegant dinner with the artists. Proceeds benefit the Company’s second-century commitment to artistic excellence and innovation.

Photos: Dario Acosta

Brian Mulligan joins the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Der Rosenkavalier as Faninal this spring, marking his role debut in Richard Strauss’ Viennese comedy. Mulligan will be joining a stellar cast including Lise Davidsen as Marschallin, Erin Morley as Sophie, Samantha Hankey as Octavian, Günther Groissböck as Baron Ochs, René Barbera/Kang Wang (Apr. 7) as Italian Singer and Katharine Goeldner as Annina. Under the baton of Australian conductor Simone Young, this opulent production by Robert Carsen is not-to-be-missed this season.

Performances are on March 27, 31, April 4, 7, 11, 15, and 20.

Photos: Dario Acosta