Aigul Akhmetshina and Aleksandra Meteleva share the role of Angelina in La Cenerentola at the Teatro di San Carlo this month, opening 20th October, with Meteleva making her house debut. The production, directed by Damiano Michieletto and first created in 2025 for the Semperoper Dresden and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, is conducted by Speranza Scappucci; Akhmetshina sings the role on 20th, 23rd and 27th October, and Meteleva on 21st and 25th October.

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Akhmetshina's Angelina is one of wide acclaim. Opera World hailed her as "a first-rate Angelina," with a "silky voice, with body and brilliance, which she handles with intelligence," while OperaWire praised her command of Rossini's writing, noting she "[plays] the role of Angelina to incredible results," with the score's "coloratura and fluidity" suiting her vocal line "perfectly."

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Meteleva's Rossini roles are also widely admired. L'Ape musicale observed that "in the roles of Tancredi, Cenerentola and Melibea, Meteleva impresses with her well-controlled vocal technique, refined phrasing and elegant stage presence," and her recent Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino was celebrated by Adnkronos as "a fresh, lively and convincing Rosina, capable of conveying lightness and spontaneity."

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Looking ahead, and fresh from an acclaimed role debut as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni at the Royal Ballet and Opera, highlights of Akhmetshina's 2026/27 season include Dalila in Samson et Dalila at the Metropolitan Opera, a role she debuted to tremendous praise at Covent Garden only last spring. She also makes her recital debut at Carnegie Hall on 11th November, presenting "Love Without Borders: A Journey in Three Chapters" with her longtime collaborator Jonathan Palmer Lakeland. 

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Meteleva’s next appearance this season will be as Olga in a new production of Eugene Onegin at the Hamburg State Opera.

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