Tune into WRTI on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. to hear the Vienna State Opera’s production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Luisa Miller. WRTI will carry this 2026 recording as a part of the WFMT Opera Series.
Verdi originally composed Luisa Miller in order to fulfill, and subsequently end, his three-year contract with Naples’ Teatro San Carlo. The opera follows Rodolfo, son of Count Walter, who plans to marry Luisa, a soldier’s daughter who is well below his station. Upset with this arrangement, the Count conspires with his retainer, Wurm, to break up the engagement and marry Rodolfo to a rich widow.
This production will feature bass Roberto Tagliavini as the Count Walter, tenor Freddie De Tommaso as the Count’s son, Rodolfo, and soprano Nadine Sierra as Luisa, Rodolfo’s lover. Mezzo-soprano Daria Sushkova is Federica; bass-baritone Marko Mimica is Wurm; and baritone George Petean is Luisa’s father, Miller. Michele Mariotti conducts the Vienna State Opera Orchestra & Chorus.
Cast:
Roberto Tagliavini as Graf von Walter
Freddie De Tommaso as Rodolfo
Daria Sushkova as Federica
Marko Mimica as Wurm
George Petean as Miller
Nadine Sierra as Luisa
Conducted by Michele Mariotti