And we’re back. And as has become the tradition here at OperaWire, we have asked our writers to select their choices for the opera performances that truly marveled them in 2023. So without further ado, here are our writers’ picks. Enjoy! Joao Copertino This year, in my opinion, the best performance was Aix-en-Provence’s “Picture a Day Like This,” a world premiere {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) Thirty-four years ago, Sonja Frisell’s monumental “Aida” production premiered at the Met to tremendous success. Not only did it become one of the company’s most beloved productions due to its elegant and epic sets that recreated Egyptian architecture. The production had horses, large crowds of people, and extravagant costumes. It was what operagoers wanted {…}
Naxos has recently released the new production of Robert Carsen’s “I Pagliacci/Cavalleria Rusticana,” which opened the 2019/20 season at the Dutch National Opera. It is a new development, as historically it has been Opus Arte which release Amsterdam’s operatic DVDs. Opus Arte always included interesting footage from rehearsals and interviews with the cast and creative team in their DVDs. Naxos {…}
The Paris Opera is set to celebrate two anniversaries and will bring together some of the greatest stars in the world. However, this season will also be special because it will feature stars making house debuts as well as role debuts. In one case, there will also be a world premiere. Here are five performers OperaWire believes audiences need to {…}
The San Francisco Opera has announced its 2018-19 season, which features eight operas and one important concert performance. All of the productions will be brand new for the 2018-19 season. The season opens on Sept. 7, 2017, with the famed “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” as directed by Jose Cura. The production will star Ekaterina Semenchuk, Roberto Aronica, and Dimitri Platanias {…}
The Teatro di San Carlo has announced its 2017-18 season with a number of classics and one musical being presented. The season kicks off on Dec. 12, 2017, with Puccini’s “La Fanciulla del West” with Anna Pirozzi, Kristin Lewis, and Virginia Tola leading the way. That opera will be followed by Puccini’s “La Bohème” on Jan. 11, 2018. Eleonora Buratto and {…}
Not many people get the chance to see an opera singer up close and personal. Even in a recital hall or opera house, there is a distance created by the stage. The connection comes from the music and the artistic involvement on both ends of the spectrum. But on Tuesday, New York students were able to get an experience few {…}
