In 1994, 54-year old José Van Dam undertook to play the role of Scarpia in Puccini's Tosca for the first time, a part that he had refused repeatedly in the past. In April 1995 in Liège, the singer met again with stage director Nicolas Joel for the…

"Livietta e Tracollo" is the intermezzo of Pergolesi's last opera for the city of Naples, Adriano in Syria. Like "La Serva Padrona", "Livietta el Tracollo" enjoyed a long run in the repertoire of the opera houses.

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi became the leading representative of the development of the early Neapolitan Opera Buffa. "La Serva Padrona", his most popular opera until today, caused the "Buffonisten" controversy at its premiere in 1752.

The Czech composer based his libretto on the play "Le Voyage de Thésée" by his friend and trusted source of inspiration, Georges Neveux. Martinu is said to have written the opera for Maria Callas. In this production, the role is sung by the…