It is the month of revolutions with a number of major countries acquiring their respective independence in the month of July. Just to list some – the United States, France, Algeria, Colombia, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Peru, Slovakia, Rwanda, Somalia, and Venezuela. All of these nations and many more claim their independence day during this month. Independence didn’t come for free {…}
La Scala’s 2017-18 season was announced on Wednesday. As with every major season announcement, there is no doubt that some productions resonate more than others among the legendary house’s upcoming offerings. Here are our most hotly anticipated productions of 2017-18. Andrea Chénier There is no doubt that anything Anna Netrebko touches these days almost always turns to gold. And we can’t {…}
Did you know that Gregory Kunde is the only tenor in the history of opera to sing both Verdi and Rossini’s “Otello” within a two-week span? In fact, only one other tenor, Roberto Stagno, sang both roles, but it took him 10 years to complete the feat. But that is ultimately what makes Kunde such a special artist. At one {…}
Something is not right at the Teatro Colón in Argentina. Just two months after the company was struck by high drama revolving around the troubled contract with soprano Angela Gheorghiu, another top singer has walked out on the company. And this time, the blow strikes close to home. Argentine tenor Marcelo Alvarez was expected to sing his signature role “Andrea {…}
“Andrea Chenier” is considered one of the pinnacles of the dramatic tenor repertoire. It is known for its lyrical arias and vocal intensity. It is also an iconic role that every spinto tenor is dying to take on. This week Gregory Kunde performs on his first Andrea Chenier in Giordano’s famous drama at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. The addition of {…}
The Vienna State Opera is presenting over 50 operas next season and that can be overwhelming for any opera lover trying to pick out what they want to see. After analyzing the immense season, OperaWire has selected what we think will be unmissable nights at the Vienna State Opera. Adriana Lecouvreur The revival of this famed production marks the second {…}
The Barcelona-based Teatro Liceu held a press conference on Friday afternoon to showcase what it had in store for the 17-18 season and revealed a major surprise. Among its many entries, the company announced that Dmitri Hvorostovsky would be performing two operas next season including “Un Ballo in Maschera” and “The Demon.” The news comes as a huge surprise considering {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has added a live stream to its series for 2017. The company announced that on March 18 opera-lovers from all around the globe will have the chance to experience tenor Jonas Kaufmann in Giordano’s “Andrea Chénier.” The tenor will star in director Philipp Stölzl’s new production alongside soprano Anja Harteros, in her role debut as Maddalena di Coigny, and Luca Salsi as Carlo Gérard. Omer {…}
The superstar opera couple of Jonas Kaufmann and Anja Harteros reunites for a run of performances of Giordano’s “Andrea Chénier” at the Bayerische Staatsoper starting next Sunday, March 12, 2017. Kaufmann and Harteros have performed a great deal of opera productions together over the past few years in such works as “Lohengrin,” “Il Trovatore,” “Tosca,” “Don Carlo” and “La Forza {…}
The world is set to undergo a change this week with a massive transfer of power. There is tremendous uncertainty regarding this situation, some expecting the very worst. Art represents an interesting window into our deepest fears and opera has its fair share of oppressive regimes and tyrannical rule in all guises. What follows is a look at some of {…}
London audiences will get reacquainted with soprano Maria Katzarava this January when the Mexican Georgian singer makes appearances at the Wigmore Hall. The soprano will appear on January 10 for the Rosenblatt Recitals at Wigmore Hall, a concert series that showcases some of the greatest opera stars of the moment. She will be joined by tenor Stefano la Colla and {…}