After having had a 9 month hiatus from his highly successful performances of Simon Boccanegra at the Vienna State Opera, Thomas Hampson returns to the company in one of his favorite roles: Rodrigo, Marquis de Posa.

Mr. Hampson has sung the role in both the Italian and the French version with many opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Salzburg Festival, the Wiener Staatsoper, the Zurich Opera House and the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Luc Bondy’s producion of Don Carlos from the Châtelet has been filmed and is available on DVD.

This month the Vienna State Opera is presenting what must be a unique event world of opera. The opera is dedicating its resources to not only stage the 4-act Italian version but also the 5-act French version in consecutive evenings. Thomas Hampson will be starring in the 4 act Italian version. The performances will be conducted by Marco Armiliato. The cast includes René Pape (Philipp II.), Franco Farina (Don Carlo), Norma Fantini (Elisabeth of Valois) and Luciana D`Intino (Princess Eboli)

Word has it that tickets are rare and that 4 performances will be sold out very soon. Make sure to reserve your seats soon.

The performances are on June 15, 18, 23 & 27.