In a sold-out performance at the Salzburg Festival, Anna Netrebko made her highly anticipated role debut as AIDA on August 6. The new production by Shirin Neshat also features tenor Francesco Meli as Radamès, mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk as Amneris, and Riccardo Muti on the podium conducting the Vienna Philharmonic.

AIDA comes in a long lineup of recent and upcoming role debuts for the soprano. The New York Times declared that, “Ms. Netrebko is ready for Aida.”

One of the festival’s greatest offerings, the completely sold-out run has attracted both world and local luminaries, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel who attended the prima performance.

Photo: Monika Rittershaus | Salzburg Festival