Giacomo Puccini is widely regarded as one of opera’s greatest composers. “Turandot,” “La bohème,” “Tosca,” and “Madama Butterfly” are all widely performed and beloved the world over. Since its premiere in 1900, “La bohème” has been performed over 1,200 times and in all but eight seasons at New York’s Metropolitan Opera. The 1981 Zeffirelli production is the most seen opera {…}
Having recently become a Knight and awarded the prestigious, “Ordre des Arts et des Lettres,” baritenor Michael Spyres has quickly arisen as one of modern opera’s central luminaries, sensuously consonant with others like the ineffable Sondra Radvanovsky, the Puccini grande dame Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, Susan Graham, Mikhail Kruglov, Allan Clayton, Elīna Garanča, and Javier Camarena to name only a {…}
This week the Opera de Bellas Artes is set to revive Verdi’s “Giovanna d’Arco” for the first time in 167 years. The company will showcase a cast of leading Mexican artists, including legendary tenor Ramon Vargas, who last year celebrated his 40th anniversary at the legendary Mexican theater. Throughout his illustrious career, Vargas has received raves for his “golden” tone {…}
This week, the Teatro La Fenice revives Puccini’s most popular opera, “La Bohème” with Celso Albelo in his role debut as Rodolfo. After 20 years performing around the world at some of the greatest theaters in the world, the role debut also represents the first time the Spanish tenor takes on an opera by Puccini. In anticipation of his debut {…}
This week the Centro Cultural de Belém is set to open a new production of Beethoven’s only opera “Fidelio.” The production which is a co-production with Hamburg and Bologna, is set to feature an all-star cast that includes Gabriela Scherer in her role debut. Scherer, who is one of the most in-demand dramatic sopranos of her generation, sings her first {…}
A while ago, we took a look at Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy as personified in opera. However, there is far more than one post can allow for. When it comes to Martin Luther King Jr. and his influence on music, there’s a lot more that can be said. Outside opera, symphony’s like Leonardo Balada’s “Sinfonía en Negro” {…}
The amount of films about opera and that use opera are endless, and yet, as it happens, time and time again the same studio seems to make an appearance. But, more importantly, the operatic stars at the center of these films seem to be just as copious as the titles. Completed by Austrian director Rudolph Maté in 1959, the film {…}
Happy New Year! With 2024 in full swing, OperaWire is breaking down 10 opera productions that are must-sees for all opera lovers from around the world for the winter and spring season. Ali – La Monnaie – April 21, 2024 La Monnaie continues bringing new operas to the world and this year the company will bring the true story of {…}
Photo Credit: Vienna State Opera When it comes to the New Year and celebrations focused on ushering in the end of one year and the start of the new, all around the world opera houses and concert halls host their own versions of “dropping the ball.” Whether that be the very well-known Vienna State Opera “New Years Day” concert, the {…}
