A Novel Stage for Opera: Cagliari’s Carmen Melis and the Rise of Educational Programming
The Teatro Lirico di Cagliari is charting a new course under the leadership of Andrea Cigni, expanding beyond traditional opera to embrace diverse concert offerings and innovative educational initiatives. This shift was recently highlighted by the premiere of Giacomo Riggi’s La Regina del Nord at the Teatro Carmen Melis on March 4, 2026.
La Regina del Nord: Bridging the Gap Between Children and Classical Music
Riggi’s operina, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” is designed to introduce younger audiences to the world of opera. The composer, also the librettist, crafted a score that blends accessibility with musical sophistication, drawing inspiration from romanticism, musical theatre and popular traditions. The work was previously performed in Tuscany between 2018 and 2019, but has been rewritten for a larger symphonic ensemble and with vocal and acting variations, marking this performance as a world premiere.
The “Mystic Gulf” and Innovative Stage Design
The performance marked the first use of the “golfo mistico” – a 70 square meter platform within the Carmen Melis designed to accommodate the orchestra and provide flexible staging options for a venue seating over 300. Lorenzo Giossi’s direction, encompassing sets, costumes, lighting, and visual concepts, created a dreamlike atmosphere through dynamic video projections.
A Collaborative Performance: Voices and Visuals
The production featured a blend of professional singers and actors, alongside the chorus of voices bianche from the “Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina” Conservatory of Cagliari, prepared by Francesco Marceddu. Michele Scano and Giulia Cuccu delivered strong performances, while Martina Serra and Luana Spinola excelled in their roles as the Queen of the Snows and the Lady of the Flowers, respectively. Leonardo Diana, Beatrice Catte, Simone Latini, Marta Proietti Orzella, and Michela Atzeni also contributed effective performances.
Jacopo Rivani’s Direction and the Power of Visual Storytelling
Conductor Jacopo Rivani ensured a cohesive performance, skillfully balancing the musical and theatrical elements. Giossi’s visual concept, utilizing constantly moving images and vibrant video projections, proved particularly impactful, transforming everyday objects – sheets into rivers, lampshades into boats – into elements of the fantastical narrative.
Success and Future Implications
The production received enthusiastic applause, with multiple performances, including matinees specifically for school groups. This success underscores the potential of combining innovative staging with accessible musical content to cultivate a new generation of opera enthusiasts.
FAQ
What is the “golfo mistico”?
It’s a new 70 square meter platform at the Teatro Carmen Melis designed to accommodate the orchestra and provide flexible staging.
Who composed La Regina del Nord?
Giacomo Riggi composed the music and wrote the libretto.
What is the source material for the operina?
The operina is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, “The Snow Queen.”
Photo: Angelo Cucca
