Heard the new Donizetti
Maria Stuarda at Zurich Opera two days ago ... and wow, Diana Damrau in the title role (a role debut) was compelling! Projection and stuff ... amazing, she could sing the lowest
ppp and fill the entire room! Serena Farnocchia was a fine Lizzy but ultimately not a real match to Damrau (but then, who is nowadays? Anja Harteros would have been a cool foe for one, but I guess such a coupling is no more than an opera lover's wet dream

), not matching her in projection nor in control of the voice. Pavol Breslik was a great Leister though, and the rest of the cast was excellent, too ... David Alden's staging was nice, and the orchestra was excellent, with Enrique Mazzola at its helm, a true belcanto specialist, it seems.
Now I've got but one opera to go before the season ends ... that, though, should be an outstanding experience ... look at that cast: Stéphanie d'Oustrac, Valer Sabadus, Julie Fuchs, Delphine Galou:
https://opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/lincoronazione-di-poppea/season_11232/