(Photo: John D Kelly) With its intimate space and reflective ambiance, St Carthage’s Cathedral in Lismore proved to be the ideal venue for the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival’s performance of Purcell’s chamber opera, “Dido and Aeneas.” Seating approximately 350 to 400 people, the cathedral allowed the audience to enjoy a very personal and close-up experience of the composer’s masterpiece. A {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week, two albums celebrating Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau will be released. There is also a legendary recording from teh Wiener Staatsoper which will be released. Audiences can also check out several recordings featuring unknown composers. Chant in a Wail Navona releases composer and tenor {…}
The Hessische Staatstheater Wiesbaden has announced its 2025-26 season. Premieres Gershwin’s “Summertime” will star Fleuranne Brockway, Inna Fedorii, Hovhannes Karapetyan, Josefine Mindus, Alyona Rostovskaya, Joshua Sanders, and Camille Sherman. Leo McFall conducts. Premiere Date: August 30, 2025 Menotti’s “The Telephone” will be performed in a double bill with Monteverdi’s “Il combattimento.” Tim Hawken conducts the production by Kilian Bohnensack. Premiere {…}
La Monnaie de Mont has announced its 2025-26 season. Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “Falstaff” starring Simon Keenlyside in the title role, Lionel Lhote, Bogdan Volkov, Sally Matthews, Benedetta Torres, and Daniela Barcellona. Alain Altinoglu and Ouri Bronchti alternate and Laurent Pelly directs the new production. Performance Dates: Sept. 21-Oct. 9, 2025 Ricard Soler Mallol and Grey Filastine showcase {…}
(Photo credit: Hugo Glendinning) The Buxton International Festival has unveiled its 2025 season. This article features opera and choral events only. A full cast list will be announced at a later date. Ambroise Thomas’ “Hamlet” stars Gregory Feldmann in the title role. He is joined by Alastair Miles, Yewon Han, Richard Woodall, and Allison Cook, among others. Jack Furness directs {…}
(Photo credit: Sean O’Riordan) The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival unveils programming for its 15th anniversary season. For the purposes of this article, only vocal works are featured. Recitals & Mainstage Performances Festival artists and the Discover Singing Children’s Choir perform in the opening ceremony. Performance Date: May 27, 2025 (Lismore Millennium Park) Purcell’s “Dido And Aeneas” is presented by mezzo-soprano {…}
(Photo: Vincent Pontet) Certainly a hidden gem of the mainstream operatic repertoire, Leoš Janáček’s “The Cunning Little Vixen” is one of the most lovable pieces of musical theater ever composed. Its lyrical music, melancholic charm, and even lack of dialogue make this opera hard to resist. Paris Opera’s revival of the work has all the elements needed to succeed: Nicky {…}
(Photo credit: Sean O’Riordan) Blackwater Valley Opera Festival has announced its the line up for its 2025 season. From May 26 to June 2, the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival will present opera productions, concerts, educational events, and more. In total there will be 23 events and concerts held in 12 historic venues across the Blackwater Valley. Benjamin Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s {…}
(Photo credit: Mark Allan) The English Concert announces the details of its spring 2025 spring season. Soprano Lucy Crowe performs a program of works by Handel and Corelli, under the baton of The English Concert’s founder, Trevor Pinnock. Performance Date: January 30, 2025 (Wigmore Hall) Up next sopranos Isabel Schicketanz and Joanna Songi, mezzo-soprano Lucile Richardot, tenor Samuel Boden, and {…}
The Opéra de Rouen Normandie has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera Joyce El-Khoury stars in Verdi’s “Aida” alongside Adam Smith, Alisa Kolosova, Adolfo Corrado, and Nikoloz Lagvilava. Pierre Bleuse conducts the production by Philipp Himmelmann. Performance Dates: Sept. 27-Oct. 5, 2024 Sally Matthews, John Findon, Paula Murrihy, and Caroline Wettergreen headline Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos” with Ben Glassberg. The production {…}
The Irish National Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. The company will open with a double bill featuring “Mary Motorhead” and “Trade.” Naomi Louisa O’Connell, Oisin O’Dalaigh, and John Molloy star in the production. Elaine Kelly conducts and Tom Creed directs. Performance Date: August 8–Oct. 23, 2024 Paula Murrihy and David Portillo lead Berlioz’s “Béatrice and Bénédict,” alongside Anna Devin, {…}
