Aussie talent is well represented at Covent Garden thanks to director Barrie Kosky and new principal artist, Samuel Sakker.

Young Australian tenor Samuel Sakker has been appointed as a company principal with the UK’s Royal Opera, it was announced today, as the world famous company unveiled its 2016/17 season. Sakker will be in extremely good company at Covent Garden, with Jonas Kaufmann and Anna Netrebko – two of the most accomplished singers in the world – appearing on the billing, with both artists due to deliver role debuts.

Jonas Kaufmann

In September, Netrebko will sing the title role in Bellini’s Norma, in a new production from Spanish director Àlex Ollé – his first for the Royal Opera. It will be conducted by Royal Opera music director, Sir Antonio Pappano, who has renewed his contract with the company until 2020. Next June, Kaufmann will lead an all-star cast in a new production of Verdi’s Otello, also under the baton of Pappano, directed by Keith Warner, who is perhaps best known for his Olivier Award-winning 2002 staging of Berg’s Wozzeck, and his Ring Cycle, both for the Royal Opera.

Australian talent is becoming...