Anna Netrebko, Peter Mattei, Juan Diego Flórez, Regula Mühlemann & Rolando Villazón Lead Philharmonie de Paris’ 2023-24 Season

The Philharmonie de Paris has announced its 2023-24 season. Here is a look at the vocal highlights of the season. Klaus Mäkelä conducts Orchestre de Paris with soloists Bertrand Chamayou, Olga Peretyatko, Pavel Petrov, Alexey Markov, and Bertrand Mandico. The program includes music by Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and Rachmaninoff. Performance Dates: Sept. 6 & 7, 2023 Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Mass in {…}

Mar 21, 2023

J’Nai Bridges, Ailyn Pérez, Russell Thomas & Luca Pisaroni Lead Houston Grand Opera’s 2023-24 Season

The Houston Grand Opera has announced its 2023-24 season, which will feature a world premiere. Jamie Barton, Janai Brugger, J‘Nai Bridges, Caitlin Lynch, Nicholas Newton, Michael Mayes, and Joshua Blue star in Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s “Intelligence.” Kwamé Ryan conducts the production by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. Performance Dates: Oct. 20-Nov. 3, 2024 Reginald Smith, Jr. sings the title role of Vedi’s “Falstaff” with Nicole Heaston, Blake {…}

Mar 14, 2023

Lise Davidsen, Lisette Oropesa & Tomasz Konieczny Lead Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2023-24 Season

The Lyric Opera of Chicago is set to open its 2023-24 season. Here is a look at the season. Tomasz Konieczny leads Wagner’s “Der Fliegende Holländer” alongside Tamara Wilson, Robert Watson, and Mika Kares. Enrique Mazzola conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 23, 2023 – Oct. 7, 2023 Audra MacDonald will perform in one evening. Performance Date: Oct. 6, 2023 Donizetti’s “La {…}

Feb 16, 2023

Carnegie Hall 2023 Review: SongStudio’s Young Artist Recital

Photo : Jennifer Taylor Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall was filled with the wondrous sounds of a talented group of young artists in recital, each of whom had taken part in the 2023 SongStudio. The concert was the culmination of a weeklong series of workshops and masterclasses taught by renowned vocalists Golda Schultz, Hartmut Höll (pianist), and Jamie Barton. Under the {…}

Nov 14, 2022

Teatro Real 2022-23 Review: Aida (First Cast)

Last week, I provided my thoughts on the other cast of this production of “Aida,” starring soprano Anna Netrebko. But I also had a chance to experience the opera on Nov. 6 with the opening night cast. While the star of that original cast was the lead soprano, here it turned out to be someone else. Star of the Night {…}

Oct 24, 2022

Jamie Barton Apologizes for Using Culturally Appropriated Wigs in Teatro Real’s ‘Aida’

Following criticism regarding her wigs for the opening night production of “Aida” at the Teatro Real, Jamie Barton has apologized and has vowed never to use culturally approproiated wigs again. In a statement on social media, the mezzo said, “I am listening, I am learning, and I am taking action. I will not perform in makeup that is meant to {…}

Oct 22, 2022

Teatro Real de Madrid ‘Banishes’ Blackface from ‘Aida’ Production

Following the release of images from Teatro Real’s dress rehearsal of “Aida” and some choice comments from major performers in the production, OperaWire inquired into the matter and reached out to the Teatro Real de Madrid regarding whether the production would be employing any kind of Blackface. The company responded this morning stating that it was not using any Blackface {…}

Aug 9, 2022

Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra Announces 2022-23 Season

The Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its line-up for the 2022-23 season. Led by Musical Director Aziz Shokhakimov in his second season, the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra will take on multiple concerts, an international tour, and a four-year partnership with Medici.tv and Warner Classics for streaming and recording opportunities. This article will focus only on vocal performances. The opening work is {…}

Jul 28, 2022

PBS to Present Verdi’s ‘Don Carlos’ From Metropolitan Opera

(Credit: Ken howard) PBS has announced that it will start broadcasting the Metropolitan Opera’s performance of “Don Carlos” on Sunday, August 7, 2022. The Verdi opera stars Sonya Yoncheva, Jamie Barton, Matthew Polenzani, Eric Owens, John Relyea, and Étienne Dupuis. Of the production, OperaWire’s Francisco Salazar noted that while the production did not really present the “original” French version of the {…}

Jul 26, 2022

Lise Davidsen, Ailyn Pérez & Metropolitan Opera Lead CD/DVD Releases

This week there is a special release from the Metropolitan Opera as well as two complete opera releases you will not want to miss. Here is a look! Crepuscolo BR-Klassik recorded a concert from Bayerischer Rundfunk in Munich. The recital includes 27 songs spanning three decades of the composer’s career, including three complete song cycles as well as a selection {…}

Jul 12, 2022

Opera Stars Speak Out on Blackface in Arena di Verona’s ‘Aida’

(Disclosure: Out of respect for the sensitivity of our audience we will only link to images of blackface instead of showing them here) Following a performance of “Aida” at the Arena di Verona on July 8, several opera singers are calling out Anna Netrebko for the use of blackface. Jamie Barton took to Twitter and said, “It’s been a long {…}