The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its performance of Verdi’s “Aida” on April 25, 2024. The company said that Ekaterina Semenchuk will sing the role of Amneris replacing Eve-Maud Hubeaux who is ill. Semenchuk is known for her interpretation of Verdi’s heroine having performed the role at the Salzburg Festival, Teatro Real, San Francisco Opera, and Mariinsky {…}
The Mariinsky Theatre has announced that it will perform a concert for the victims of the Crocus City Hall tragedy. The company said that on March 27, Verdi’s Requiem will be played in the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre. The concert will honor the memory of “the victims of the terrible terror attack in Moscow.” Valery Gergiev will conduct {…}
Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” conjures up fire from the outset like firelight. It burns and blazes with passion. It smolders. The more Verdi wrote, the more his imagination leapt into flames. One magnificent, powerful and engaging aria, duet, trio, quartet and chorus, emerging after the other. Dazzling. And what a story – an Italian troubadour with love affairs and babies tossed {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) The San Francisco Opera is set to open its 101st season with Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” The opera, which will be performed from Sept. 12 to Oct. 1, will feature Caroline H. Hume Music Director Eun Sun Kim leading the San Francisco Opera Orchestra with the Opera Chorus and a cast that includes soprano Angel {…}
The San Francisco Opera has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” The company said that mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk will perform the role of Azucena in all performances, replacing Anita Rachvelishvili who has withdrawn for personal reasons. Semenchuk returns to San Francisco following performances with the company in productions of “ Luisa Miller” “Aida,” and “Cavalleria Rusticana.” Semenchuk joins {…}
And we’re back for this week’s edition of the major CD and DVD releases on offer. Those looking for legendary performances will be thrilled by some of this week’s releases. But there are also two solo albums of great interest. Let’s check it out. Mahler Pioneers SOMM RECORDINGS announces “Mahler Pioneers,” a major addition to the Mahler catalog with the {…}
The Teatro Comunale di Bologna has announced its 2023-24 season. Opera Erika Grimaldi, Luciano Ganci, and Claudio Sgura star in Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut.” Oksana Lyniv conducts the new production by Leo Muscato. Performance Dates: Jan. 26-31, 2024 Davide Livermore directs a new production of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” with Roberto Aronica, Marta Torbidoni, Lucas Meachem, and Chiara Mogini. Renato Palumbo conducts. {…}
(Credit: Teatro alla Scala / Brescia – Amisano) On Dec. 7, 2021, the Teatro alla Scala opened a new production of “Macbeth” by Davide Livermore. A season later the company is reviving the production, which showcases the 1865 version, while including the frequently cut ballet and “Macbeth’s final aria. Dystopia & Lots of Movement The production is a cinematic spectacle {…}
Valencia’s Palau de les Arts’ 2023-24 season featuring opera, recitals, concerts, and zarzuela. Opera Dima Orsho and Carla Nahadi Babelegoto star in “Women at Point Zero.” Performance Date: Sept. 15, 2023 James Gaffigan conducts Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades” in Richard Jones’ production. The cast includes Arsen Soghomonyan, Doris Soffel, Ekaterina Guseva, Elena Maximova, Roman Burdenko, and Nikolay Zemlianskikh. Performance {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has announced ts 2023-24 season. The season opens with Verdi’s “Don Carlo” which will star René Pape, Francesco Meli, Luca Salsi, Ain Anger, Anna Netrebko, and Elīna Garanča. Riccardo Chailly conducts a production by Lluis Pasqual. Maria Jose Siri and Ekaterina Semenchuk perform the final two performances. Performance Dates: Dec. 7, 2023-Jan. 2, 2024 Sonya Yoncheva {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of “Aida.” The company said that Clémentine Margaine will replace Anita Rachvelishvili in the role of Amneris on May 28, June 1, and 4, 2023. Meanwhile, Ekaterina Semenchuk will sing the role on June 7 replacing Rachvelishvili. Margaine has performed at the Semperoper Dresden, Oper Köln, Teatro dell’Opera di {…}