(Credit: Staatsoper Unter den Linden official website) The Teatro alla Scala has announced that bass Ildar Abdrazakov will not be appearing in the role of Banquo in the final performance of Verdi’s “Macbeth” scheduled for Dec. 29, 2021. No reason has been given for the cast change. As a result, South Korean bass Jongmin Park will take over the role. {…}
(Credit: Lombardo Associates official website) Tenor Luciano Ganci will perform the role of Mario Cavaradossi in Puccini’s “Tosca” at the Wiener Staatsoper for performances on Dec. 27 & 30, 2021. Ganci will replace Francesco Meli, who was originally scheduled to sing the role. Ganci joins a cast that includes Gevorg Hakobyan as Baron Scarpia, Martin Häßler as Angelotti, and Saioa {…}
(Credit: Alexey Kostromin) Polish soprano Ewa Płonka has withdrawn as the cover for Anna Netrebko’s Lady Macbeth at the Teatro alla Scala’s season opener. Płonka will also not sing the final performance in Verdi’s operatic masterpiece on Dec. 29, 2021. “Friends, due to personal reasons I will not be taking part in Macbeth production this December in La Scala but {…}
(Credit Brescia Amisano / Teatro alla Scala) The Teatro alla Scala will broadcast its opening night production of Verdi’s “Macbeth” on Rai Cultura. Rai will first showcase the production on Rai1 at 7:45. The production, which will be directed by Arnalda Canali, will be transmitted on Radio3, Rai1 HD canale 501, and on RaiPlay, where it will be available for {…}
On Dec. 7, 2021 the Teatro alla Scala will open with a new production of Verdi’s “Macbeth” featuring an all-star cast. The production will reunite Anna Netrebko and Luca Salsi in the lead roles after having opened the season during the 2019-20 season in a new production of “Tosca.” They will be joined by Francesco Meli, who also starred in {…}
This week audiences will get a chance to hear a debut album by one of the world’s great tenors, a recording of one of Puccini’s most beloved works, a world premiere recording of a great contemporary opera, and many more. Madama Butterfly Lawrence Foster expands his Puccini discography on PENTATONE with “Madama Butterfly,” together with the Coro & Orquestra Gulbenkian. {…}
Warner Classics has announced Francesco Meli’s first solo album “Prima Verdi.” The new album, which is slated to be released on Nov. 19, 2021, will showcase Meli in works by Verdi. Audiences will hear highlights from such operas as “Simon Boccanegra,” “I Lombardi,” “Il Trovatore,” “Otello,” “Aida,” “Macbeth,” “Lusia Miller,” “Un Ballo in Maschera,” “I Due Foscari,” “La Forza del {…}
On Oct. 17, Rai Radio3 will broadcast the debut of Verdi’s “Giovanna d’Arco” from the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. The production is part of Teatro Costanzi’s special reopening for the 2021-22 season and marks the first time in 50 years that the Verdi work is presented with the company. Daniele Gatti conducts the new production which is being directed by {…}
On Oct. 15, ItsART is set to broadcast Verdi’s “La Traviata” from the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. The broadcast will showcase the new production by Davide Livermore which starred Nadine Sierra as Violetta in her role debut and Francesco Meli as Alfredo. Leo Nucci sang the role of Germont with Zubin Mehta conducting the Orchestra and Chorus of the Maggio Musicale. {…}
On Sept. 10, Eleonora Buratto and Francesco Meli represented the opera world on the red carpet of the Venice Film Festival. The two celebrated singers attended the famed Film Festival for the premiere of Ridley Scott’s new movie “The Last Duel.” Cartier hosted the event and presented Scott with the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award. Meli and Buratto, who {…}
(Credit: Teatro dell’Opera di Roma) Italy’s Teatro dell’Opera di Roma has announced the 2021-22 season featuring world premieres, rarely staged works, and star singers. Here is a look at the operatic performances of the season. Pre-Opening Before opening night, the fall season will see Verdi’s “Giovanna d’Arco.” The work will be presented for the first time in Rome since 1972 {…}