Even though we are slowly inching back to real-world performances, streaming in the opera world is going as strong as ever. In this week’s edition of the Top 10 you will see your fair share of operatic repertory as well as some unique recital experiences. Atilla – OperaVision (NOW) Operavision will stream a 2011 performance of the early Verdi opera {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced the next two weeks of nightly streams which will include a number of operas focused on the greatest roles for sopranos as well as its greatest anti-heroes. Here’s a run-down of the two-week slate. Week 45– Leading Ladies: Opera’s Greatest Heroines Monday, January 18 – Bizet’s Carmen Starring Anita Hartig, Anita Rachvelishvili, Aleksandrs Antonenko, and Ildar {…}
This week’s recommendations list comes with a caveat – there are actually more that 10 performances to stream among our recommendations. The reason? Some of the companies are presenting package deals that were simply too good to ignore. If you are a lover of the standard repertory, we have a lot of unique options for you among this week’s recommendations. {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced week 29, 30, and 31 of its Nightly Streams. which will center on Mozart, Wagner, and Donizetti. Here is a full rundown of the schedule which features some of opera’s greatest stars making multiple appearances throughout the week. All Nightly Met Opera Streams begin at 7:30 p.m. and remain available via metopera.org for 23 hours. The {…}
Thirty years ago, in June 1990, opera lovers were glued to their television screens for four consecutive weekday evenings as they experienced what Richard Wagner always intended: a consecutive-evening presentation of “Der Ring des Nibelungen.” Of course, his wish for four nights in a row was not realistic for the stage, given the demands it would place on musicians and {…}
While theaters are opening, more and more American opera companies are committing to the online presentation. So there is no doubt that there will be plenty of streaming options for the foreseeable future. And we will be here to spotlight 10 operas every week. But as we have done over the past few weeks, do not forget to check out {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced week 16 of its Nightly Streams. This coming week’s streams feature a wide range of options including a showcase starring Beverly Sills, Shostakovich opera, a classic Ring performance, some Bel Canto magic, and a historic performance from the 2018-19 season. Monday, June 29 – Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment Conducted by Enrique Mazzola; starring Pretty Yende, Stephanie {…}
Hildegard Behrens, born on Feb. 9, 1937, was one of the great exponents of the dramatic German repertory in the late 20th century. Born in Varel, Germany, she actually kicked off her professional life in Law School before eventually turning her attention to singing. She attended the Freiburg Academy of Music and made her debut in “Le Nozze di Figaro,” {…}
This week, Anna Netrebko, Barbara Hannigan, Leonard Bernstein and George Gagnidze release new DVDs and CDs. It will be a chance to see some of your favorite singers and conductors in signature roles as well as rarely performed works. Take a look! “Giovanna d’Arco” Anna Netrebko’s celebrated interpretation of Verdi’s early work comes to DVD. The production, which opened the {…}
When Strauss’ “Elektra” returns to the stage on Thursday, March 1 at the Metropolitan Opera, it will take part 109th performance with the company. The role is often considered one of the most challenging in the repertoire, if not the most difficult. The soprano is tasked with a lengthy evening with barely any rest and no intermission to aid her {…}
It was 1980, and Hildegard Behrens was at the Metropolitan Opera singing “Fidelio” with Jon Vickers. Gastón Ormazábal was but a student at Columbia University, where he is today a Senior Research Scientist. The two were about to meet for the first time. Neither knew that they would develop a friendship that would transcend Behrens’ lifetime. As Ormazábal, now the {…}