On Aug. 9, the Salzburg Festival will present the highly anticipated new production of Verdi's "Il Trovatore" starring Anna Netrebko and world-renowned Spanish singer, conductor and tenor Placido Domingo.  

The opera has been sold out for months, as it stars the Russian soprano Anna Netrebko and Spanish baritone Placido Domingo. The Italian tenor Francesco Meli will take on the lead role while the Canadian mezzo Marie-Nicole Lemieux will sing the role of Azucena.

The new production is a very special occasion at Salzburg, as "Il Trovatore" has not been performed since 1962 and 1963. On that occasion, Herbert Von Karajan conducted the work with American soprano Leontyne Price and Italian tenor Franco Corelli.

This year, Alvis Hermanis, who is known for his modern productions that sometimes revise the story of the work, will direct the opera. For "Il Trovatore," Hermanis has given the opera a "Night at the Museum" spin.

The production centers on a museum curator who dreams of living in the 1500s, when the work originally takes place.

The production marks the third time Netrebko performs the role of Leonora. The singer has been making headlines since November when she debuted the role in Berlin. During the run she scored rave reviews, with A. J. Godmann of Opera News stating, "she was in characteristically brilliant, luxurious voice all evening long."

Ever since last year, Netrebko has been moving away from light roles such as Adina in Donizetti's "L'Elisir d'Amore" and has quickly moved into more dramatic works, including a number of Verdi roles.

At a recent press conference, Netrebko spoke of the challenges of her role as Leonora and said that it was very taxing and it prevented her from being as physical as she usually is.

She said, "the intensity of singing does not allow me to move freely." She added that the role was very dynamic because it contained "lyrical, tragic, heroic and even light passages."

Netrebko's next foray into the dramatic repertoire will be Richard Strauss' "Four Last Songs" in Berlin and then she will take on the role of Lady Macbeth in Verdi's "Macbeth" at the Metropolitan Opera. The soprano is also scheduled to reprise her acclaimed role of Anna Bolena in Donizetti's opera in Vienna and Zurich, and will also sing the title role of Iolanta in the Tchaikovsky opera in New York.

Meanwhile, Placido Domingo sings his second Conte di Luna. The tenor-turned-baritone sang his first Luna at Berlin with Netrebko, where he also scored rave reviews.

Domingo was well known for playing the lead role of Manrico back in the '70s and '80s and he has expressed his love for Verdi's score.

Domingo stated in the press conference that the score had "phenomenal music." He added, "No one was able to write for voices like Verdi. All four main characters in 'Trovatore' have grandiose arias."

Once Domingo ends his run in Salzburg, he will continue singing Verdi roles, including Germont in "La Traviata," the title role of Macbeth, and the title role of Simon Boccanegra.

In the podium, Daniele Gatti will conduct the work for the very first time. The conductor is known for his work in Wagner operas, but he is thrilled to be doing "Il Trovatore."

"This opera is a kind of dream," said Gatti during the press conference.

The production will be broadcast on radio on ORF on Saturday, Aug. 9, which is when the opera will premiere. On Aug. 15, it will be broadcast on television on ZDF's German television station as well as transmitted online through Medici TV and ARTE.

"Il Trovatore" will be performed six times and all performances are currently sold out.