Stephen Milling and Golda Schultz sing Sarastro and Pamina, respectively, in Die Zauberflöte for Bayerische Staatsoper. In August Everding’s production under Constantin Trinks, performances start on 28 December.

In a demonstration of his versatility, Sarastro marks Milling’s returns to Munich after previous performances there as Daland (Der fliegende Holländer), Rocco (Fidelio) and Gurnemanz (Parsifal). In the New Year, Stephen returns to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden as Pogner in Kasper Holten’s new production of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano.

A member of Bayerische Staatsoper’s ensemble presently, this is Schultz’s first outing as Pamina with her other Munich roles this season including Liù (Turandot) and Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte). Elsewhere in the season Golda joins the Leipzig Gewandhaus, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Washington’s National Symphony Orchestra in a diverse repertoire including Tippett, Mozart and Mahler.