Metropolitan Opera 2023-2024 Review: Turandot

(Credit: Karen Almond / Met Opera) The 350th performance of “Turandot” at the Met exceeded expectations with Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv and Russian soprano Elena Pankratova making their house debuts and intentionally working together to deliver jaw-dropping moments of overwhelming musical beauty and power. The night also featured remarkable performances by South Korean tenor SeokJong Baek, Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak, {…}

National Sawdust & The Met Opera Present ‘Opera Evolved: Genre Fluidity’

(Photo: Jill Steinberg) National Sawdust and The Met Opera presented “Opera Evolved: Genre Fluidity” on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024. This was the second installment of this three-part series that, according to the program, celebrates artistic convergence by investigating the intersection of innovation and tradition at National Sawdust. The evening included composer and co-founder of National Sawdust, Paola Prestini, and theater {…}

LA Opera Cancels World Premiere of ‘The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay;’ Will Premiere at the Met Opera in 2025-26

The LA Opera has canceled plans to present the world premiere of Mason Bates’ “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” this fall. The company said that the production was canceled due to financial issues. LA Opera CEO Christopher Koelsch told the AP News, “It was a very ambitious and therefore expensive project, and unfortunately in the current conditions, it wasn’t {…}

Q & A: Nancy Fabiola Herrera on ‘Florencia en el Amazonas,’ Zarzuela & the Importance of Bringing Opera to the Hispanic Community

(Credit: Joaquín Fuentes) In 2005, Nancy Fabiola Herrera made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Suzuki in “Madama Butterfly.” Since then she has been a frequent presence at the Met singing works by Verdi, Strauss, and Bizet, among others. She has also made an important career in Spain where she has delved into dramatic operas and also made a career singing {…}

Q & A: Soprano Ailyn Pérez on ‘Florencia en el Amazonas’ & the Importance of Spanish-Language Opera

(Credit: Paola Kudacki / Met Opera) On Nov. 16, the Metropolitan Opera will make history by presenting only the third Spanish-language opera in the company’s trajectory. Additionally, the work in question, “Florencia en el Amazonas,” will be the very first Latin American opera presented by the company. For the massive milestone, the company brought together a mixed cast that includes {…}

Q & A: Daniele Callegari on His Conducting Career & Approach to Verdi’s ‘Nabucco’

Italian Maestro Daniele Callegari is scheduled to lead performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Nabucco” at The Metropolitan Opera this season, September through October 2023, and December through January 2024. The lead roles will be performed by George Gagnidze as Nabucco, Liudmyla Monastyrska as Abigaille, and Dmitry Belosselskiy as Zaccaria. Callegari made his American debut in 2007, leading a concert performance of {…}

Metropolitan Opera Announces Cast Change for ‘Der Rosenkavalier’

(Credit: Dario Acosta) The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its production of “Der Rosenkavalier.” The company said that Samantha Hankey will take over the role of Octavian replacing Isabel Leonard, who was originally announced. Hankey made her debut at the met in a production of “Mephistofele” and has performed in productions of “Adriana Lecouvreur,” “Rigoletto,” and “Carmen.” {…}