Back to the gypsy that I was

In the midst of an eventful summer for the Arena di Verona, one important happening has flown under the radar: the return of Anita Rachvelishvili to her signature role of Carmen, of which Parterre Box features a sample of today

Ennevi Foto / Fondazione Arena

Since we last checked in on Rachvelishvili as she makes a gradual comeback from a vocal crisis, she has brought a lawsuit against the Met for wrongful termination and continued to appear in concerts. Today’s Grand Tier Grab Bag features her in the Séguidille and the Card Trio from her sole scheduled performance at the Arena this year.

Future plans suggest that Rachvelishvili is cutting her losses and embracing a new, lower Fach; in March she will sing Mistress Quickly in Florence but before that, she’ll finally make a long-delayed debut in La gioconda in Athens in October — but as La Cieca instead of as Laura.

Bizet: Carmen, “Près des remparts de Séville” and “Mêlons! Coupons!”

Anita Rachvelisvili
Freddie De Tommaso

Anita Rachvelishvili
Daniela Cappiello
Sofia Koberidze

Arena di Verona
Francesco Ivan Ciampa
18 July 2025
In-house

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