The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced Christopher Heil as its new Chorus director. In a statement, Heil said, “I am very happy and grateful to be part of the impressive and vibrant tradition of the Bavarian State Opera, which is in the best hands with Serge Dorny and Vladimir Jurowski. Taking over the direction of the Bayerische Staatsoper Choir is both {…}
Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov has canceled all remaining July performances. In a statement via social media, “Dear friends, it is with great regret that I have to cancel my participation in the productions of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich: Modest Mussorgsky’s ‘Boris Godunov’ and Giuseppe Verdi’s ‘Don Carlos.’ I needed to take a break from my schedule and cancel {…}
Ildar Abdrazakov has withdrawn from upcoming performances of “Boris Goduonov” at the Bayerische Staatsoper. The company noted that Ukrainian bass Alexander Tsymbalyuk will replace the controversial Russian bass. The news comes days after the Bayerische Staatsoper released a statement regarding his hiring and said, “We have the two existing contracts for the opera festival. We value him as an artist {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has released a statement regarding the hiring of Ildar Abdrazakov for the upcoming Munich Opera Festival. A spokesman for the company told BR-Klassik, “We have the two existing contracts for the opera festival. We value him as an artist very much. But beyond that, nothing is planned for the time being. So he won’t be there in {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Aida.” The company said that Judit Kutasi will replace Anita Rachvelishvili in the role of Amneris in the company’s three performances on July July 23, 27, and 30, 2023. Kutasi has performed with the Paris Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro alla Scala, and {…}
Joseph Calleja has canceled his upcoming performances of Verdi’s “La Traviata” due to surgery. The tenor said via social media, “It is with great regret that I will have to renounce to my performances as Alfredo at the Bayerischer Staatsoper in Munich. This is due to some minor surgery I need to address chronic Gastroesophageal reflux disease that has worsened {…}
(Credit: Neda Navaee) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its April 6 “Tristan und Isolde” performance. The company said that Nina Stemme will sing the role of Isolde, replacing Elena Pankratova. Stemme is one of the great Wagnerian sopranos of her generation who has performed the role of Isolde around the world including at the Metropolitan Opera {…}
Photo credit: Stefano Guindani Bayerische Staatsoper is set to present Damiano Michieletto’s new production of Verdi’s “Aida.” Michieletto describes his new production by saying, “It’s a civil war, where people are not ready for violence, where death is cruel because it steps into the everyday life, into families, among children. I don’t want to present it as a military story {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has terminated Stellario Fagone contract. According to reports from BR Klassik, the director of the children’s choir has been out of office since March 7. The Bayerische Staatsoper and Faone have remained silent regarding the reasons for the dismissal. However, the chorus wrote a letter to the minister of culture Markus Blume, and to the music director {…}
Photo: Victoria Cadisch On Mar. 19, 2023, soprano Mary Bevan will make her Bayerische Staatsoper debut, singing the role of Calisto in Cavalli’s “La Calisto.” The opera’s libretto, written by Giovanni Faustini, is based on Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” (book two) and retells the myth of Calisto and Jupiter. Bevan’s repertoire is loaded with baroque, from Monteverdi to Gluck, with lots of Handel {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2023-24 season. New Productions The first new production of the season will be Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro.” Stefano Montanari conducts the production by Evgeny Titov. The cast will include Huw Montague Rendall, Mattia Olivieri, Elsa Dreisig, Maria Bengtsson, Louise Alder, Konstantin Krimmel, Avery Amereau, and Dorothea Röschmann. Performance Dates: Oct. 30, 2023-July 17, 2024 {…}