Francesca da Rimini - Opening of the 2025/2026 Opera and Ballet Season

Andrea Battistoni conducts the Teatro Regio Orchestra and Chorus in Zandonai’s masterpiece, in a new production by Andrea Bernard

Teatro Regio, Friday, 10th October 2025, 7p.m.
Under-30 Preview, Thursday, 9th October, 8p.m.

Riccardo Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini is set to open the 2025/2026 Opera and Ballet Season at the Teatro Regio on 10th October 2025, returning to very stage where it first premiered in 1914 in a brand-new production by Andrea Bernard. House Music Director Andrea Battistoni will be conducting the Teatro Regio Orchestra and Chorus.

Running until 23rd October, the opera is proudly sponsored by Intesa Sanpaolo, a Teatro Regio partner since 2011, continuing its commitment in support of culture and the promotion of artistic excellence and Italy’s exceptional musical heritage.

An identity founded on research and vision

With this opera, the Teatro Regio reiterates its identity as a theatre of art and thought, an authoritative voice in the interpretation of the established repertoire at its best and in bringing back to the limelight rarer titles often overlooked in contemporary programmes. A journey of rediscovery that continues along the path forged with La Juive and the trilogy Manon Manon Manon (in particular Auber’s opera)—two consecutive season openings both awarded the Abbiati Prize—for insightful programmes that explore and build bridges between tradition and research, satisfying audience expectations and the desire to open up new horizons.

A new perspective on Francesca

An intense and lyrically vibrant work, Francesca da Rimini is based on the eponymous tragedy by Gabriele D’Annunzio, inspired by Dante’s celebrated verses in Canto 5 of his Inferno. It tells the story of the forbidden love that overwhelms Paolo and Francesca—a love that defies the law, that feeds off desire and guilt, and that is consumed in all-red passion and blood. In stage director Andrea Bernard’s vision of her, Francesca is a young woman who has built for herself a world of apparent safety to defend herself from the patriarchal violence that surrounds her. But tragedy erupts when she finds in Paolo an authentic love, a dream able to project her towards a future that lies closer to our own contemporary sensibilities. A sentiment that will being her closer to truth, but which bears the makings of the tragedy.

Cast

On the podium, Andrea Battistoni brings his sensitivity and refined interpretation to this title for the first time, for what he calls “a visionary opera, suspended between orchestral refinement and inner drama, the product of a fertile and cosmopolitan age of Italian opera.” On stage, a star-studded international cast gives voice to the characters, featuring Roberto Alagna, who returns to the Teatro Regio after twenty years, Barno Ismatullaeva, a true revelation in 2023 in Madama Butterfly, and George Gagnidze, one of the opera world’s foremost baritones today. The Teatro Regio Chorus will be led by Ulisse Trabacchin.

Conference-Concert

The Conference-Concert series returns again for the 2025/2026 Season to guide audiences in the discovery of the titles on the programme. The conferences feature guest appearances by the stars of the shows, with the opportunity to enjoy live performances of some of the most famous musical moments. Admission is free of charge. The first conference dedicated to Francesca da Rimini will be held on Wednesday, 1st October at 6p.m. at the Piccolo Regio Puccini, led by journalist Susanna Franchi.

Under-30 Previews and new opportunities for everyone to enjoy the Teatro Regio

The Under-30 Preview of Francesca da Rimini will be staged on Thursday, 9th October at 8p.m., with tickets on sale from 25th September at a price of €10.
The Teatro Regio is continuing its commitment to making the opera accessible to everybody. Just three price sectors to facilitate choice, “opening nights” for all, with ticket prices the same as for other shows, and Regio Card discounts. This year there are even more opportunities for young people to enjoy the opera, with the Regio Card Giovani now available for theatre lovers aged 16 to 30 years, entitling card holders to 50% off tickets and last-minute offers at just €10. Plus there is the new Regio Card Under16, with tickets at just €10 and a 10% discount off the ticket for an accompanying adult. 
 

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Subscription Tickets

Subscription tickets are still available for the exciting new season. Purchasing a subscription ticket has never been more convenient, with a discount of as much as 30% off the price of the single tickets. Subscription ticket-holders also have the benefit of an exclusive pre-sale period to take advantage of special promotions. Guided-option carnets to three or four shows instead offer a discount of 20% off the price of the single tickets, whereas open carnets to three or four shows offer a discount of 10% off single ticket prices.

Tickets and information

Tickets can be purchased at the Teatro Regio Box Office and online at www.teatroregio.torino.it.
Teatro Regio Box Office: Piazza Castello 215, Turin | Tel. +39 011 8815241 / +39 011 8815242 | biglietteria@teatroregio.torino.it Opening hours: Monday–Saturday, 11a.m. to 7p.m.; Sunday, 10:30a.m. to 3:30p.m. For full information and updates: www.teatroregio.torino.it