MICHIELETTO RETURNS TO ZURICH

From today to May 25, conducted by Marc Minkowski

“It is a story that can tell us a great deal about the psychological dynamics linked to political power in today’s world.” This is the lens through which Damiano Michieletto interprets La clemenza di Tito, Mozart’s drama with which he returns to the Opernhaus Zürich fourteen years after his Poliuto in 2012. From today to May 25, the Venetian director brings to the Swiss stage – where he has also directed Lucia di Lammermoor (2008), Il Corsaro (2009), Luisa Miller (2010), and a revival of La Scala di Seta (2013) from the Rossini Opera Festival – a new production of Mozart’s final opera seria, conducted by Marc Minkowski. Working alongside the director is his regular team, consisting of set designer Paolo Fantin and lighting designer Alessandro Carletti, while costumes are by Klaus Bruns.

“I chose to set the story in an office – Tito’s office – a great politician grappling with a series of crises,” Michieletto continues. “Tito lives with the constant anxiety of pleasing the people while, at the same time, maintaining control over them; a necessity he exercises through a precise political strategy: that of clemency. Tito is not the emblem of a good monarch, but rather of cunning and the ability to manipulate and control the electorate and the Senate.”

Focusing on power, guilt, and forgiveness, La clemenza di Tito is both a political and moral drama that follows the Roman emperor Tito as he faces a conspiracy involving his closest friend—until it almost, Michieletto adds, “takes on the characteristics of a thriller.” The new production features Pene Pati as Tito Vespasiano, Margaux Poguet as Vitellia, Yewon Han as Servilia, Lea Desandre as Sesto, Siena Licht Miller as Annio, and Andrew Moore as Publio.

Fresh from the success of his debut feature film Primavera, after the Mozart title Michieletto is expected in June at La Scala in Milan for the Italian premiere of his Carmen, while in July he will make his debut at the Bregenz Festival directing his first La Traviata.

Info: https://www.opernhaus.ch/spielplan/kalendarium/la-clemenza-di-tito-1/2025-2026/

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