Romeo Castellucci is set to make a landmark appearance at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, bringing his radical vision of opera staging to one of the world’s most storied opera houses. From April 22nd to May 9th, 2026, the acclaimed Italian director will present a new production of Pelléas et Mélisande, marking his long-awaited La Scala debut and adding a striking contemporary voice to the theatre’s historic repertoire.
Castellucci, known for his visually charged and intellectually rigorous approach, will oversee every aspect of the production—from staging and sets to costumes and lighting. His arrival at La Scala signals a meeting of avant-garde theatre and operatic tradition, with a creative team that includes French conductor Maxime Pascal, alongside tenor Bernard Richter and soprano Sara Blanch in the leading roles.
Debussy’s opera reimagined for a new generation
Claude Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande, adapted from Maurice Maeterlinck’s Symbolist play, is an opera steeped in atmosphere and emotional ambiguity. Rather than dramatic excess, the work unfolds through suggestion, silence, and fragile human connections. Its shadowy forests, unspoken desires, and tragic lovers make it fertile ground for Castellucci’s introspective visual language.
While we await Castellucci’s La Scala debut, we recommend reading our interview with him, in which he shares his thoughts on beauty, symbolism, and the tension between tradition and freedom.
