Following the triumphant success of their performances in Samson et Dalila at the Royal Ballet & Opera, Aigul Akhmetshina and Łukasz Goliński reunite in Saint-Saëns’ masterpiece at the Staatsoper Berlin. Akhmetshina sings only her second-ever Dalila in her house debut, while Goliński returns to one of his signature roles, the High Priest of Dagon. The production opens on 4 July under the baton of Alexander Soddy.

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Akhmetshina’s role debut in London was an undeniable triumph. Critics hailed her as “a magnificent Dalila”, praising her “sumptuous and notably dark mezzo-soprano” and describing her performance as “technically masterful and full of beautiful character”. Goliński, meanwhile, earned acclaim for his “comprehensively thought-through, vocally focused” portrayal of the High Priest. Reviewers praised his “agile baritone” and noted the “commanding vigour” he brought to the role.

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Their Berlin performances crown a highly successful 2025/26 season, with both artists already looking ahead to an exciting 2026/27. Goliński reprises the High Priest of Dagon in Berlin this September, with further highlights including Escamillo in Carmen at Atlanta Opera and Alfio in Cavalleria rusticana at La Monnaie. Akhmetshina’s forthcoming engagements include bringing her Dalila to The Metropolitan Opera in New York City as well as singing Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni at the Royal Ballet & Opera, the title role in La Cenerentola at the Teatro San Carlo, and Charlotte in Werther at both the Opéra national de Paris and the Bayerische Staatsoper.

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