Opera Meets Film: How Haymarket Opera Creates a Unique Operatic Experience Through its ‘Orlando’ Film

(Credit: Anna Cillan) Following the halt on live performances due to COVID-19, opera houses and companies alike were forced to reform how they brought music to their traditionally in-person audiences. Via digital means, like prerecorded content, subscription-based videos, and online events, the traditional venues of opera were radically altered. But as lockdowns start to end, and restrictions begin to be {…}

Oct 26, 2021

Artist of the Week: Antonio Pappano

On Oct. 26, 2021, the Metropolitan Opera will revive a production of Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” for the first time in seven years. The production will mark the return of Lise Davidsen in a role debut, Michael Volle in a signature role, and Klaus Florian Vogt, one of the greatest Wagnerians of his generation. But perhaps what makes this {…}

Oct 24, 2021

Word Search: Find this October-born Composer’s Name Based on an Opera They Composed

(Credit: Anja Koehler) For this week’s word search, we turn the spotlight on composers born in October. For this puzzle, we provide you with the name of an opera and it’s your job to find the composer’s full name. Instructions: You are free to solve the word search directly on your mobile or desktop device; just click the first and {…}

Oct 18, 2021

Artist of the Week: Luciano Ganci

The Wexford Festival Opera is an internationally recognized event that programs unusual and rare works. It also prides itself in supporting rising stars and giving them opportunities to explore a diverse repertoire. This season the company will present Catalani’s “Edmea” for its inaugural production, starring Luciano Ganci, one of Italy’s leading tenors. Ganci will make his role debut as Oberto {…}

Oct 11, 2021

Artist of the Week: Gabriela Scherer

Tosca is a dream role for almost every soprano. It is a role where the diva gets to act and sing gorgeous lines as well as bring a number of complex emotions to the stage. It is also an opera that is action-driven like no other and features THE moment when the soprano gets to kill the baritone on stage. {…}

Oct 4, 2021

Artist of the Week: Sebastian Catana

This week the Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova is set to open its new season with a new production of “Sull’essere angeli” and “Pagliacci” directed by Cristian Taraborrelli. The production will be realized in collaboration with RAI Cultura and will be broadcast on Italian television. It will also mark the house debut of baritone Sebastian Catana as Tonio. Catana, who {…}

Sep 27, 2021

Artist of the Week: Terence Blanchard

On Sept. 27, the Metropolitan Opera will make history presenting “Fire Shut Up in My Bones.” It will be the first time the company presents an opera composed by a black composer – that composer is Terence Blanchard. Talking about the historical moment to the Washington Post the composer said, “It’s a bit overwhelming. Once you get into the rehearsal {…}

Sep 25, 2021

Opera Quiz: How Well Do You Know Verdi’s ‘Macbeth?’

For this week’s edition of the quiz, we will shine a spotlight on Verdi’s “Macbeth.” Verdi’s “Macbeth” is one of the great Italian operas in the repertory and arguably one of the most unique. Verdi initially composed it in 1847 at the height of his “galley years” where Bel Canto traditions most influenced his musical output. However, given his close {…}

Sep 23, 2021

Opera Meets Film: For Love & Motherland – the Glorious Ideals of ‘Tosca’ and ‘Stalingrad’

Following the signing of the Moscow Declarations in October 1943, an international agreement between the four key allied powers—China, Soviet Union, United States, and United Kingdom— formed to defeat the Tripartite Pact and restore global peace by proxy; Stalin would issue an emphatic, jingo-hawk address only a month later. Speaking at the 26th Anniversary of the October Revolution Celebration Meeting {…}

Special Features

Artist of the Week: Andres Acosta