Sonya Yoncheva has taken on the role of Julia in La Vestale by Gaspare Spontini at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, marking her first performance in this role. This choice follows her previous portrayals of Medea and Norma and echoes Maria Callas's revival of the opera at La Scala in 1954. The production, a co-production with the Opéra national de Paris, was first staged in 2024 and sets the opera in a Sorbonne under a totalitarian military-religious regime, drawing comparisons to The Handmaid's Tale. The setting includes a sacred fire that consumes books, evoking the Nazi book burning on Bebelplatz in 1933, an image that has divided critics. Reactions to Yoncheva's performance have been mixed. Concerti praised her as the main vocal asset, highlighting her volume, agility, and dramatic commitment, while Bachtrack noted her recognizable timbre and intensity, though pointing out a heavy legato and more present vibrato in the high register. Ulrich Amling of the Tagesspiegel admired her middle register but found her higher notes harder and sharper, describing the contrast as an "abyss become voice." Klassik begeistert suggested she struggled with the role, noting a more metallic timbre, while the Financial Times praised her purity of line and placed her among the successes of the evening, which it otherwise found disappointing. Other cast members received varied responses. David Butt Philip as Licinius was generally well received, with Bachtrack noting his spinto darkness and precision, while the Financial Times described him as robust and virile. Concerti felt the romantic chemistry between him and Yoncheva did not fully ignite. Siyabonga Maqungo as Cinna was praised for his clear tenor and French diction, and Marina Prudenskaya as Grande Vestale received widespread acclaim for her sonorous low notes and stage presence. Even critics critical of the evening acknowledged her performance. Carlo Rizzi's conducting drew varied opinions. Bachtrack praised his meticulous approach, while Concerti noted the Staatskapelle's gradual improvement in transparency and finesse. The Financial Times criticized Rizzi for not capturing the opera's unique rhetoric, and Kai Luehrs-Kaiser of radio3 called it a "serious failure," arguing the aesthetics were too Italian for Spontini's work. The Staatsopernchor, prepared by Dani Juris, was universally praised for their performance, with Bachtrack and radio3 highlighting their excellence. Yoncheva's portrayal of Julia will be performed on October 3, 6, and 9, with Carlo Rizzi conducting the first two and Giuseppe Mentuccia taking over on October 9.