News of the Week (12/5): Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Jonas Kaufmann Cancellations Steal Headlines

By OperaWire

The past week was flooded with major news on the international stage. Here is a look back at some of the big headlines, in case you missed them.

Major Premieres

This week saw a plethora of premieres. The Berlin Staatsoper showcased “Manon Lescaut” which was showcased on online; the same happened for the Bayerische Staatsoper which showcased “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” to audiences across the web.

Meanwhile the Metropolitan Opera opened its run of “Salome” starring Patricia Racette. The soprano garnered tremendous plaudits for stepping into the work just weeks prior to the opening.

Finally, La Scala kicked off its season with the original version of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.”

Netrebko’s Titanic Challenge

Metropolitan Opera general manager Peter Gelb let it slip that superstar soprano Anna Netrebko would be singing the title role in Puccini’s “Turandot” in the next few seasons. He made the announcement during the intermission of a Met radio broadcast.

Grammy Nominees Feature Big Stars

The Grammy nominees were unveiled this week with such stars as Isabel Leonard, Anna Netrebko, Thomas Hampson, Sonya Yoncheva and Cecilia Bartoli among the major nominees.

New Role Debuts

Anita Rashvelishvilli performed her first ever Azucena in Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” at the Royal Opera House, earning compliments for be “thrillingly intense” from The Guardian.

Elina Garanca also showcased her talent as Santuzza for the first time in Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” in Paris.

Meanwhile Angela Meade made her Sevilla debut in Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena.”

Major Cancellations

It was also a week of noteworthy cancellations, the biggest of saw Dmitri Hvorostovsky postpone all opera engagements for the foreseeable future. The baritone has however committed to continue performing in concerts, but noted that staged productions took a lot out of him as he continues his battle with cancer.

In other news, Jonas Kaufmann pulled out of the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony and then also cancelled a recital in Monaco. The tenor has been on vocal rest for the last three months and there is not telling when he is slated to make his comeback.

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