Photo: © OMC-Marco Borrelli On Sunday April 7th, 2024, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo concluded their 2023-2024 season with the world premiere of “Their Master’s Voice,” starring mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli and actor John Malkovich. The show was a coproduction with the annual music festival Le Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo, of which this performance was also the closing event. For voice {…}
Opera Rara has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the concert performances and album releases. Concerts The company will open its season with the 1857 version of Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” in Manchester. Sir Mark Elder conducts The Hallé and Chorus of Opera North. The cast includes Nicola Alaimo (Simon Boccanegra), Eri Nakamura (Amelia), Iván-Ayón Rivas (Gabriele Adorno), {…}
Credit: Metropolitan Opera The Metropolitan Opera has announced the schedule for its Summer HD Festival. Ten free opera screenings will be projected on the façade of the opera house in Lincoln Center Plaza on Aug. 26-Sept. 4. First up is a special presentation of the film “Moonstruck,” (1987) starring Academy Award-winner Cher, with costars Nicolas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello, {…}
On Mar. 12, 2023, the Metropolitan Opera revived and gave the Robert Carsen-directed “Falstaff” its season premiere, marking the company’s 193rd performance that crackled with energy and verve. There was electricity in the crowd, as well. At times, an opening night can feel like a final dress rehearsal. This was not one of those times. The show was tight and {…}
Verdi’s final opera, “Falstaff,” is set to return for six performances between March 12 and April 1. The production will star baritone Michael Volle in his first Verdi role at the Met and Ailyn Pérez in her acclaimed portrayal of Alice Ford. When she first sang the role at the Met, OperaWire said, “as Alice Ford, Ailyn Pérez put on {…}
Les Chorégies d’Orange has announced its 2023 season. For the purposes of this article, we only highlight vocal performances. Marie-Nicole Lemieux leads a cast of Bizet’s “Carmen“ that also includes Alexandra Marcellier, Jean-François Borras, and Ildebrando D’Arcangelo. Jean-Louis Grinda directs the production. Performance Date: July 8, 2023 Emy Gazeilles, Floriane Hasler, and Rémy Brès-Feuillet perform in concert with pianist Kira {…}
The Cleveland Orchestra is set to stream a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection” on Nov. 12, 2022. The showcase, which will be conducted by Franz Welser-Möst will star Lauren Snouffer and Marie-Nicole Lemieux as the soloists. This is the ensemble’s first performance of this Symphony since receiving the autograph manuscript earlier this year. Audiences will be provided with {…}
The Orchestre de l’Agora is set to present the “Gala de la Terre pour les Enfants” on June 22, 2022. The showcase will feature a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 under the musical direction of Nicolas Ellis. Soloist Marie-Nicole Lemieux will be joined by over 200 musicians, choristers, and three childrens choirs for the performance. The Orchestre will present {…}
(Credit: Festival de Saint-Denis official website) The Festival de Saint-Denis has announced its 2022 season. For the purpose of this article we will focus on the vocal works only. Soprano Selene Zanetti, mezzo-soprano Marianna Pizzolato, tenor Xabier Anduaga, and bass Gianluca Buratto perform Mozart’s “Ave Verum” and Rossini’s “Stabat Mater” alongside conductor Myung-Whun Chung, the Chœur de Radio France, and {…}
(Credit: Mikel Ponce / Miguel Lorenzo) OperaVision has announced its streams for the month of December. Clément Hervieu-Léger’s production of Philippe Hersant and Jean Echenoz’s “Les Éclairs” from Opéra Comique kicks off the streaming slate. The opera features Jean-Christophe Lanièce, Marie-Andrée Bouchard-Lesieur, François Rougier, Elsa Benoit, André Heyboer, Jérôme Boutillier, Alban Dufourt, and Mathieu Dubroca. Ariane Matiakh conducts. Streaming dates: {…}
(Credit: Chorégies d’Orange official website) Les Chorégies d’Orange Festival has announced its 2022 slate, featuring two operas and international stars. For the purpose of this article we will focus on vocal performances only. Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore” spotlights René Barbera as Nemorino, Andrzej Filończyk as Belcore, Erwin Schrott as Dulcamara, Anna Nalbandiants as Giannetta, and Pretty Yende as Adina. Giacomo Sagripanti {…}