“Page to Opera Stage” looks at stories – real-life or fiction, old and new – that have inspired operas, and the ways these narratives have been edited and dramatized to fit a new medium. This week, the focus is Herman Melville’s great unfinished novella “Billy Budd, Sailor” and Benjamin Britten’s “Billy Budd” adapted from the work in 1951. Seventeen years {…}
(Photo credit: Frances Marshall) What’s opera about? Passion? Drama? Politics? Sex? All the above, of course, and it’s been that way since 1597, even in the face of censorship. Yet, the prohibitions around taboo topics such as politics and sex caused composers and librettists to get creative when including such material in their operas. Opera critic, author, and historian par {…}
The Royal Opera House has won the Oliver Award for its production of “Billy Budd.” The production by Deborah Warner took home the Best Opera Production beating out “Berenice” from the ROH, “Hansel and Gretel” from the ENO, and “Noyle’s Fludde” from the Theatre Royal Stratford. Meanwhile, The Children’s Ensemble from the Theatre Royal Stratford received Best Achievement in Opera {…}
(Photo Credit: Marco Borggreve) The Staatsoper unter der Linden has announced that Dutch baritone Thomas Oliemans will perform the role of Peter in Humperdinck’s “Hänsel und Gretel” on Jan. 7, 2021. Oliemans will replace German baritone Roman Trekel. Oliemans will join a cast that includes Michaela Schuster in the role of Gertrud, Stephan Rügamer as the Wicked Witch, Natalia Skrycka {…}
(Credit: Yasuko Kageyama / Opera di Roma) The Orchestre Classique de Montréal has announced that baritone Phillip Addis will replace Dominique Côté in the presentation of Kaminsky, Reed and Campbell’s opera “As One.” Addis will be joined onstage by the mezzo-soprano Sarah Bissonnette. Performances will take place on November 20 & 21, 2020, at the Cirque Éloize in Montreal. “We {…}
(Credit: Gerard Collett / Catherine Ashmore) The Music Section of the Critics’ Circle has announced the winners of its 2019 Annual Awards. Taking home the award for Young Talent (Voice) was soprano Louise Alder. As far as Best Opera Production, the Royal Opera House’s “Billy Budd” took home the high mark. Regarding Alder’s win, the Critics’ Circle noted that the {…}
(Credit: Cory Weaver / San Francisco Opera) Billy Budd, Foretopman, is the center of the conflict between evil and good, dark and light, vulnerable and powerful in Benjamin Britten’s masterpiece “Billy Budd.” Picking this opera for the second night opening of San Francisco’s 97th season was a masterful choice. Everything – the music, drama, ethical conflict, suspenseful, challenging, rewarding – {…}
San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Chronicle will celebrate the start of the company’s 97th season with the latest edition of Opera in the Park. The free event will “bookend an action-packed weekend” for San Francisco Opera, according to the press release. The season will open with Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the Opera Ball, and the BRAVO! CLUB Gala on {…}
(Credit: Alastair Muir/Glyndebourne Productions Ltd.) The San Francisco Opera is set to present Britten’s “Billy Budd” to open the 2019-20 season. The work returns to the company after a 15-year absence in Michael Grandage’s production, which was unveiled at the Glyndebourne Festival. The opera is set to star John Chest in the title role in his company debut alongside William {…}
Central City Opera will present the Colorado premiere of Benjamin Britten’s opera “Billy Budd.” The opera, based on Herman Melville’s novel, “chronicles the idealistic title character’s forced enlistment in the British Navy aboard the Indomitable during the Napoleonic Wars and the moral dilemma that ensues over crimes he commits in self-defense.” Ken Cazan will direct this large production as part {…}
Central City Opera has announced details of its 2019 Festival, which will run from Jul. 6 – Aug. 6, 2019. Performances will be held in the company’s historic 550-seat jewel box theatre. The lineup includes two main stage operas, a double-bill production, and a musical revue. Free pre-performance talks will take place before every main stage opera (except on Jul. 30). {…}