The Way to Freedom – Escape to Exile VII

Piero Pretti replaces tenor Joseph Calleja
Due to an acute illness, tenor Joseph Calleja will unfortunately be unable to take part in Verdi’s Requiem in Gstaad on 30 August. We wish him a safe and speedy recovery!

We are especially grateful that Italian tenor Piero Pretti has agreed to step in at short notice. With his radiant voice, passionate stage presence and brilliant technique, Pretti has long secured a leading place among the great names of the international opera world.
Whether on the world’s most renowned stages—from La Scala in Milan to the Metropolitan Opera—or in acclaimed roles such as Rodolfo, Don José and Cavaradossi, Pretti captivates audiences and critics alike. He is regarded not only as a master of bel canto, but also as a charismatic singer who infuses every note with emotion and draws listeners under his spell.

A requiem in the style of opera? Perhaps. But more than anything, Verdi’s Messa da Requiem is a heartfelt, emotional eruption. Profoundly moving, it stands among the most powerful lyrical achievements of Italy’s national hero. Verdi composed this monumental work in mourning for the great poet and dear friend Alessandro Manzoni, a fellow icon of the Italian Risorgimento. The Messa da Requiem is a tour de force, making it an ideal showcase for the Zurich Opera House ensemble under the direction of Italian conductor Gianandrea Noseda, who has been General Music Director of the Zurich Opera House since the 2021/22 season. With a stellar quartet of soloists – Eleonora Buratto, Elina Garanča, Piero Pretti and Roberto Tagliavini – the evening promises to become an unforgettable experience!