The world premiere of Margarita Zelenaia’s two-act opera “Caligula’s Favorite Play”

August 22, 2026

The world premiere of Margarita Zelenaia’s two-act opera “Caligula’s Favorite Play,” freely inspired by “Caligula” by Albert Camus (Copyright © Editions Gallimard) took place on June 16, 2026, at the Teatro Olimpico (Vicenza, Italy). Librettists: Eric Nicolas & Igor Tsunsky.

The production was presented by “Regium Lepidi Opera”.
Artistic Director: Mirko Matarazzo
Conductor: Maestro Roberto Bongiovanni
Stage and video director: Mario Parruccini

Performers:
Caligula – Guido Loconsolo, bass-baritone
The Actor/Emperor – William Hernandez, baritone
Caesonia – Zoya Gramagin, mezzo-soprano
Scipio – Francis Ng, tenor
Cherea – Thomas Comstock, spinto tenor
Helicon – Robert Garner, baritone
Old Patrician – Giuseppe Caltagirone, high tenor
Mucius – Stefano Fagioli, baritone
Lepidus – Devis Longo, baritone
Actress – Paige Flenniken, soprano coloratura

Actor’s Chorus: “Dodecacoro”, Maestro Davide Bottarelli
Senator’s Chorus: “Coro Lirico Sinfonico di Parma. Maestro Andrea Bianchi

O.F.I.:Orchestra Filarmonica Italiano