Derek Welton adds to his already very busy schedule in December in January, taking over the role of Wanderer in Siegfried at the Opéra de Paris, in a new production by Calixto Bieito, conducted by Pablo Heras-Casado.

Welton joins a high-profile cast including Andreas Schager as Siegfried and Tamara Wilson as Brünnhilde. Performances begin with a pre-première on 14 January and the première on 17 January and run until 31 January 2026.

This follows his recent success in his role début as König Heinrich in Lohengrin at the Hungarian State Opera, reviewed as follows:

‘Welton, with his rich and hearty bass-baritone, exuded nobility and regal prudence as King Henry, precisely in keeping with the extreme demands of this role.’ — Opera Journal

‘Heinrich der Vogler was portrayed by Derek Welton in top form, with a voice that is simultaneously haughty, severe and profound, possessing the necessary character that the role requires’ — Lohengrin Magazine

During December, in addition to rehearsals in Paris for Siegfried, Derek rehearses and performs the role of Orest in Elektra at the Wiener Staatsoper. In January he records the Wanderer in Siegfried with the Dresdner Festspielorchester for future CD release and begins rehearsals of a new production of Billy Budd at the Opéra de Lyon, in which he makes his role début as John Claggart.

Photograph © Street Navigator Photography