The Berlin State Opera has announced that Irina Lungu will replace Valentina Nafornita in “La Bohème.” The news comes after Nafornita withdrew from performances following the birth of her child. Lungu will join a cast that includes Freddie De Tommaso as Rodolfo, George Petean as Marcello, Victoria Randem as Musetta, Gyula Orendt as Schaunard, and Grigory Shkarupa as Colline. The {…}
The Berlin State Opera has announced cast changes for its production of Verdi’s “Aida.” The company said that for performances on Oct. 19, 22, 25, and 29, 2023, Clémentine Margaine and Ketevan Kemoklidze will take over the role of Amneris, replacing Ekaterina Semenchuk. Margaine will perform on Oct. 19 and 29 while Kemoklidze will perform on Oct. 22 and 25. {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl / Metropolitan Opera) Ahead of the Berlin State Opera’s opening of “Macbeth,” which has generated controversy due to the return of Anna Netrebko, Intendant Matthias Schultz is reiterating his support for the Russian-Austrian soprano. In a recent interview with F.A.Z., Schultz said, “You really have to be careful not to use artists as scapegoats because you can’t {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl / Metropolitan Opera) The Berlin State Opera has released a statement defending Anna Netrebko’s performances this September in a revival production of “Macbeth.” Following a petition against the Russian soprano, the opera house said, “Since we value the artistic personality Anna Netrebko, who is undoubtedly one of the greatest voices of our time, and we have a {…}
(Credit: Jorgen Frank) Diana Damrau has canceled her upcoming performances at the Berlin State Opera. The soprano took to social media and said, “I regret that I will be unable to perform at the Staatsoper Berlin next week due to illness. I am so sorry to disappoint anyone who was planning to attend. I am grateful that the talented soprano {…}
The Berlin State Opera has released a statement regarding René Pape’s homophobic comments in regards to the Metropolitan Opera participating in New York City’s Pride Parade. The Berlin company took to Facebook and said, “The comments René Pape posted on social media regarding the Metropolitan Opera’s participation in the Pride Parade in New York have caused great irritation in the {…}
(Credit: tim osipov) Anna Netrebko will return to the Berlin State Opera in 2023. According to B.Z. Berlin, the soprano will perform with the company in autumn of 2023 following conversations with the General Director Matthias Schulz. Schulz said, “It was and is important for us to distance ourselves from the invasion, which violates international law. That’s what Anna Netrebko {…}
The Berlin Staatsoper unter den Linden has announced a conductor change for “Elektra.” The company announced that Daniel Barenboim will not conduct the production and Thomas Guggeis will replace him. This is the latest cancelation by Barenboim following withdrawals in May due to the advice of his physician. Back in May, the conductor’s team said, “Daniel Barenboim, has withdrawn from {…}
The Berlin State Opera has announced a new Artistic Director. The company noted that Elisabeth Sobotka will become the company’s new Artistic Director starting September 2024. She will succeed Matthias Schulz, who will take over Zürich Opera House. Sobotka who is also artistic director of the Bregenz Festival, said of her appointment, “It is a great honor for me to {…}
(Credit: Alikhan Photography) The Berlin State Opera has announced a cast change for its performance of “L’Elisir d’Amore” on March 9, 2022. The company noted that Olga Peretyatko will take over the role of Adina for Hera Hyesang Park. Peretyatko has performed the role of Adina at the Wiener Staatsoper, La Monnaie, and Opera de Lausanne, among others. This season {…}
On Sept. 18 and 19, the Belin State Opera will broadcast opera at the Bebelplatz in the historic heart of Berlin. pen-air concert. The events will begin on Sept. 18 with a live opera broadcast of Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” from the Great Hall of the Staatsoper. Daniel Barenboim conducts the opera with a cast that includes Federica Lombardi, {…}