In 2023, Carlo Rizzi and the British label of Opera Rara resurrected Mercadante’s unjustly neglected “Il Proscritto” – the story of the exile Giorgio Argyll’s return to Scotland and the ensuing, tragic love triangle at the heart of Salvadore Cammarano’s rather unlikely libretto. In 2024, conductor Rizzi turns his attention to another exile: the former tribune Settimio who is the {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week audiences will get to hear a new recording of Wagner’s final work with a famed cast and a full recording of Donzietti’s rarely performed work. L’esule di Roma Opera Rara releases its 27th complete Donizetti revival with the Britten Sinfonia conducted by {…}
Albina Shagimuratova will no longer sing in the revival of the Metropolitan Opera’s upcoming production of “Idomeneo.” Per the Met’s website, the Russian soprano will be replaced by Federica Lombardi, who will sing the role of Elettra. Shagimuratova recently performed at the Mariinsky Theatre in the theater’s Stars of the White Night Festival in a production of “Lucia di Lammermoor” {…}
The Mariinsky Theatre has announced the first part of the “Stars of the White Nights: The 30th Mariinsky festival in St Petersburg.” The festival, which is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, is run by fierce Putin supporter Valery Gergiev and usually features several international artists. However, that is not the case this year, as many international {…}
On May 21, soprano Albina Shagimuratova will perform at the Mariinsky Theatre, a theater run by pro-Putin supporter Valery Gergiev. The soprano, who recently canceled concerts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Zaradye Hall in Moscow, will perform alongside pianist Irina Soboleva in a recital of music by Glinka, Rimsky-Korsakov, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff. The news comes as the soprano is scheduled {…}
Albina Shagimuratova has canceled her upcoming recital at Zaradaye Hall in Moscow. The soprano, who was set to perform alongside Elizaveta Dmitrieva on April 23, has withdrawn as she is pregnant. Last month Shagimuratova canceled her concert with the Boston Symphony Orchestra “on the advice of her physician following news of her pregnancy.” Shagimuratova is still scheduled to perform in {…}
Updated: A previous version of this article included Elena Stikhina. However, per Elena Stikhina’s management, the soprano will NOT perform at the Zarayde Hall later this month. She will be singing Lisa in the new production of “Pique Dame” in Baden Baden followed by concert performances with the Berliner Philhamoniker.” On April 23, Albina Shagimuratova will perform at the Russian {…}
(Credit: ©Alexander Neff) The Mariinsky Theatre has announced the operas it will present throughout September and October 2021. The company will showcase “The Maid of Orleans” with a cast starring Ekaterina Semenchuk, Maria Bayankin, Sergei Skorohodov, Mikhail Petrenko, Vladislav Kupriyanov, Alexei Markov, and Evgeny Nikitin under the baton of Valery Gergiev. Performance Dates: Sept. 8 & Oct. 9, 2021 “Le Nozze {…}
The Opernhaus Zürich has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is the full slate. Operas – Premieres Richard Strauss‘ “Salome” will star Elena Stikhina, Kostas Smoriginas, Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke, Michaela Schuster, Mauro Peter, and Siena Licht Miller. Simone Young conducts the production by Andreas Homoki. Performance dates: Sep. 12 – Oct. 17, 2021 Verdi‘s “Il Trovatore” will spotlight Quinn Kelsey, Marina Rebeka, {…}
This week audiences can experience two rarely performed Donizetti operas, two visual albums, a solo CD and a rarely performed opera. Here are the new releases you cannot miss. Shunia Music duo Shunia releases its self-titled album, “SHUNIA.” The group features Lisa Reagan and Suzanne Jackson, who have performed with the Washington National Opera for 20 years in addition to {…}
Opera Rara has announced the release of Donizetti’s “Il Paria.” The new recording is set to be released on Jan. 15 by Warner Classics and marks the 26th complete opera by Donizetti for Opera Rara. Sir Mark Elder conducts the work with a cast that includes Albina Shagimuratova, René Barbera, and Misha Kiria. “Il Paria” was recorded in the studio {…}