Jonas Kaufmann, Lise Davidsen, Pretty Yende, Ludovic Tézier & Luca Salsi Lead Tiroler Festspiele Erl’s 2024-25 Season

The Tiroler Festspiele Erl has announced its 2024-25 season. Fall Nikola Hillebrand performs alongside Simply Quartet and Musicbanda Franui. Performance Date: Oct. 4, 2024 Winter J. S. Bach’s “Das Weihnachtsoratorium” will be conducted by Vinzenz Praxmarer and will star Anna El-Kashem, Stefanie Irányi, Martin Mitterrutzner, and Wilhelm Schwinghammer. Performance Date: Dec. 8, 2024 Asher Fisch conducts a new production of Puccini’s “La {…}

Apr 18, 2024

Teatro La Fenice Review 2024: Mefistofele

After leaving the premiere of La Fenice’s production of “Mefistofele,” I dried two little tears from my eyes and, in a burst of emotion, was possessed by one thought: how underrated Boito is. Usually relegated merely to the place of the fanciest of Verdi’s librettists, Boito was much more. His works extend from a few musical pieces to many (untranslated {…}

Feb 6, 2024

Teatro San Carlo 2023-24 Review: I Vespri Siciliani

Verdi’s “I Vespri Siciliani” was last on the stage in Naples back in 2011, featuring the original French version created by the composer for the Opera de Paris in 1855. This year, however, Teatro San Carlo is showcasing the Italian rendition, which is more commonly performed in Italy, without the ballet sequences. The narrative, crafted by Eugene Scribe’s libretto, revolves {…}

Feb 2, 2024

Maggio Musicale Announces Cast Change for ‘Tosca’

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced a cast change for its production of “Tosca.” The company said that the role of Mario Cavaradossi will be performed by Piero Pretti (May 24, 26; June 3, 6) and Vincenzo Costanzo (June 8). They will replace Francesco Meli who was originally announced. Pretti is a well-known tenor who is set to perform at {…}

Dec 4, 2023

Marina Rebeka, Diana Damrau & Nino Machadize Lead New CD/DVD Releases

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week audiences will experience albums from some of the top divas in the opera world as well as Christmas albums that will be great for the holiday season. Essence Marina Rebeka releases a new album on Prima Classic. The soprano sings a selection {…}

Nov 12, 2023

Teatro alla Scala to Perform at Dubai Opera

On Dec. 1, 2023, the Teatro alla Scala will make its Dubai Opera debut. The Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala from Milan will perform a gala titled “A Concert for Tomorrow.” Michele Gamba will conduct the orchestra in a program of Italian maestros such as Verdi, Puccini, and Mascagni. Soprano Aida Garifullina and Piero Pretti will perform as soloists in {…}

Jul 6, 2023

Teatro Regio di Torino to Celebrate 50th Anniversary with ‘I Vespri Siciliani’

(Credit: Simone-Falcetta) The Teatro Regio di Torino is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a gala performance of “I Vespri Siciliani” on July 6, 2023. The gala will see Riccardo Frizza conduct the Verdi work with soloists Roberta Mantegna, Piero Pretti, Vladimir Stoyanov, and Michele Pertusi. In a statement, Frizza noted, “It’s an honor to be conducting the Gala Concert, {…}

Jun 27, 2023

Danielle De Niese, Carmela Remigio, Gregory Kunde & Anna Pirozzi Lead Teatri di Reggio Emilia’s 2023-24 Season

The Teatri di Reggio Emilia has announced its 2023-24 season. Michele Pertusi, Piero Pretti, Ernesto Petti, Ramaz Chikviladze, Anna Pirozzi, Teresa Romano, Andrea Pellegrini, Michela Antenucci, and Andrea Galli star in Verdi’s “Don Carlo.” Jordi Bernàcer conducts the production by Joseph Franconi-Lee. Performance Dates: Nov. 17-19, 2023 Gregory Kunde, Luca Micheletti, and Francesca Dotto star in Verdi’s “Otello“ with Leonardo Sini {…}

Jun 12, 2023

Palau de Les Arts Review 2022-23: Ernani

(Photo Credit: Miguel Lorenzo/Mikel Ponce) Valencia closed its 2022-23 season with Verdi’s “Ernani.” The success of their proposal relied on a strong cast, a non-provocative production, and the ardent labour of the young Italian conductor Michele Spotti in the pit. The production, directed by Andrea Bernard, was a co-production with Teatro La Fenice in Venice. The stage simulated a landscape {…}

Jun 4, 2023

Piero Pretti Leads Palau de les Arts’ ‘Ernani’

The Palau de les Arts in Valencia is set to present Verdi’s “Ernani.” The opera, which is set to be staged by Andrea Bernard, will be performed between June 7 to 18, 2023. Michele Spotti conducts the Cor de la Generalitat Valenciana prepared by Francesc Perales and the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana. “Ernani” is set to star Piero Pretti in {…}

Mar 23, 2023

Nina Minasyan, Francesca Dotto & Sara Mingardo Lead the 2023 Caracalla Festival

The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma has announced its 2023 Caracalla Festival featuring two operas and a vocal performance. Myung Whun-Chung conducts Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with soloists Olga Bezsmertna, Sara Mingardo, Giovanni Sala, and Roberto Tagliavini. Performance Dates: July 9, 2023 Verdi’s “La Traviata” will be conducted by Paolo Arrivabeni in a production by Lorenzo Mariani. Francesca Dotto takes on {…}