Jonas Kaufmann, Elīna Garanča, Nicholas Brownlee, Lisette Oropesa, Pretty Yende & Christopher Maltman Lead Bayerische Staatsoper’s 2024-25 Season

The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2024-25 season. Premieres Tobias Krazter directs a new production of Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” with Nicholas Brownlee, Milan Siljanov, Sean Panikkar, Markus Brück, Matthias Klink, Matthew Rose, Timo Riihonen, Ekaterina Gubanova, Mirjam Mesak, and Wiebke Lehmkuhl. Vladimir Jurowski conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. 27, 2024-July 31, 2025 Damiano Michieletto directs Donizetti’s “La Fille du Régiment” with {…}

Mar 14, 2024

Sondra Radvanovsky, Morris Robinson, Rachel Willis-Sørensen & Thomas Hampson Lead National Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-25 Season

The National Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances on offer. Eugene Rogers conducts Morris Robinson in a program that includes music by Jessie Montgomery, Aaron Copland, and Carlos Simon. Performance Date: Sept. 14, 2024 Gianandrea Noseda and Rachel Willis-Sørensen join forces for music by Carlos Simon, Strauss, and Beethoven. Performance Dates: Oct. {…}

Nov 17, 2023

ORF to Broadcast Jonas Kaufmann’s ‘Otello’ from Wiener Staatsoper

(Credit: © Wiener Staatsoper | Michael Pöhn) ORF III is set to broadcast Wiener Staatsoper’s production of Verdi’s “Otello” on Nov. 19, 2023. The production, which is directed by Adrian Noble, was performed back in October and starred Jonas Kaufmann in the title role alongside Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Desdemona and Ludivoc Tézier as Iago. Alexander Soddy conducted the production. Critics {…}

Jul 3, 2023

Royal Opera House 2022-23 Review: Il Trovatore

If you’re not fully conversant with the tale that is the centerpiece of one of Giuseppe Verdi’s most celebrated and performed works, “Il Trovatore,” then I highly recommend a little further reading and research before attempting to digest this opera. It may well help to alleviate some of the confusion in following the plot. There’s little one can do, however, {…}

Jun 19, 2023

Q & A: Rachel Willis-Sørensen on Her Career & Focus Towards Being an Uplifting Role Model for Young Artists

(Photo by Olivia Kahler) American soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen is known for her diverse repertoire ranging from Mozart to Wagner. She has performed at leading opera houses around the world to high acclaim. She won first prize at the 2014 Operalia competition in Los Angeles and at the 2011 Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, and she was a winner of the {…}

Jun 12, 2023

Royal Opera Houses Announces Another Cast Change for ‘Il Trovatore’

The Royal Opera has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” The company said, “sadly, Marina Rebeka has withdrawn from performing the role of Leonora in tomorrow evening’s performance of ‘Il Trovatore’ after testing positive for COVID-19. Rachel Willis-Sørensen will perform the role ahead of her scheduled run of performances in Il trovatore from June 21 – July 2.” {…}

Jun 7, 2023

Anthony Roth Costanzo, Ryan Speedo Green, Mané Galoyan & Rachel Willis-Sørensen Lead Santa Fe Opera’s 2024 Season

The Santa Fe Opera has announced its 2024 season. Conductor Corrado Rovaris conducts Louisa Muller’s production of Verdi’s “La Traviata.” The cast includes Mané Galoyan, Bekhzod Davronov, and Carlos Arámbula. Performance Dates: June 28-August 24, 2024 Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” will be conducted by Harry Bicket. Stephen Barlow directs the production with Ryan Speedo Green, Teresa Perrotta, Rachael Wilson, David Portillo, Nicholas Newton, {…}

Mar 29, 2023

Erin Morley, Susanna Phillips & Rachel Willis-Sørensen Lead Houston Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-24 Season

The Houston Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2023-24 season. Here is a look at the vocal highlights. The season opens with Juraj Valčuha conducting Erin Morley in a program of music by Messiaen, Poulenc, and Ravel. Performance Dates: Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2023 Juraj Valčuha conducts Brahms’ “German Requiem” with soloists Lauren Snouffer and Andrew Foster-Williams. The program also includes Takemitsu’s Requiem {…}

Mar 17, 2023

Jonas Kaufmann, Sondra Radvanovsky & Rachel Willis-Sørensen Lead New CD/DVD Releases

This week audiences will get a chance to listen to a high-anticipated recording of Puccini’s final opera. There are also several world premiere recordings and solo albums. All in the Sound: New Vocal Music by Peter Dayton Navona Records will release Peter Dayton‘s art songs which pair voices with instruments as varied as violin, harp, and celesta in addition to {…}

Feb 19, 2023

Renée Fleming, Isabel Leonard, Ana María Martínez & Rusell Thomas Lead LA Opera’s 2023-24 Season

LA Opera has announced its 2023-24 season. Lucas Meachem, Guanqun Yu, Isabel Leonard, Anthony León, Craig Colclough, Meigui Zhang, Alan Williams, and Peixin Chen star in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” James Conlon conducts Kasper Holten. Performance Dates: Sept. 23–Oct. 15, 2023 Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” will star Emmett O’Hanlon, Isabel Leonard, Edgardo Rocha, Paolo Bordogna, and Luca Pisaroni. Louis Lohraseb conducts {…}

May 16, 2022

Bayerische Staatsoper Announces Cast Change for ‘Otello’

(Credit: Simon Pauly) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Otello.” The company noted that Rachel Willis-Sorensen will replace Anja Harteros in the role of Desdemona. Willis-Sorensen has performed at the Royal Opera House, Bayerische Staatsoper, Semperoper Dresden, Wiener Staatsoper, Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Opernhaus Zurich. Her repertoire {…}