The Dutch National Opera is set to present Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux.” The opera will be directed by Jetske Mijnssen and conducted by Enrique Mazzola. Barno Ismatullaeva will sing the demanding role of Elizabeth alongside mezzo-soprano Angela Brower who will portray the role of Sara. Rounding out the leads will be Ismael Jordi who will complete the operatic trilogy singing the {…}
Composer / pianist Felix Jarrar is set to present “Off With His Head” at St. John’s in the Village on April 21, 2023. The showcase will feature highlights from Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux” and is set to star Caroline Spaeth as Elisabetta with tenor Sebastian Armendariz in the title role. Rebecca Sacks portrays Sara with Andrew Dawn interpreting the role of {…}
The Opernhaus Zürich has announced a cast change for its Feb. 26 performance of Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux.” The company said that Elena Moşuc will sing the role of Elisabetta, replacing Inga Kalna, who continues to be ill. This will be the fourth performance Moşuc sings in the run. She first performed on Feb. 12 from the wings of the theater {…}
The Opernhaus Zürich has announced a cast change for its Feb. 22 performance of Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux.” The company said that Elena Moşuc will sing the role of Elisabetta, replacing Inga Kalna, who is ill. Moşuc performed the first two shows on Feb. 12 from the wings of the theater while Kalna acted out the role and on Feb 17 {…}
The Opernhaus Zürich has announced a cast change for its production of Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux.” The company said that Elena Moşuc will sing the role of Elisabetta on Feb 17, 2023, replacing Inga Kalna, who is ill. The performance will mark Moşuc’s first time performing the famed Donizetti role on stage. The soprano previously sang the role on Feb. 12 {…}
Washington Concert Opera has announced a cast change for its performance of “Roberto Devereux.” The company revealed that Andrew Owens will take on the title role, replacing Rene Barbera who will be unable to appear due to unforeseen circumstances. Owens has performed with such companies as the Opernhaus Zürich, the Rossini Opera Festival, the Festival Aix-en-Provence, the Irish National Opera, {…}
The Teatro de la Maestranza has announced a cast change for its production of “Roberto Devereux.” The company said that Yolanda Auyanet will replace Hrachuhí Bassénz in the role of Elisabetta. Auyanet is best known for her interpretations of “La Boheme,” “La Traviata,” “Pagliacci,” “I Capuleti e Monetecchi” and “Carmen.” The Spanish soprano has performed in such theaters as Rossini {…}
(Credit: Kristin Hoebermann) The Washington Concert Opera has announced a cast change for “Roberto Devereux.” The company noted that Julie Boulianne will no longer portray the role of Sara and will be replaced by Elizabeth DeShong. DeShong has performed all over the world at the Metropolitan Opera, Glyndebourne, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Haymarket Opera, and the Barbican Hall. Her repertoire {…}
(Photo credit: Frances Marshall) What’s opera about? Passion? Drama? Politics? Sex? All the above, of course, and it’s been that way since 1597, even in the face of censorship. Yet, the prohibitions around taboo topics such as politics and sex caused composers and librettists to get creative when including such material in their operas. Opera critic, author, and historian par {…}
Many times the final moments of a piece of art are the ones that leave the audience with the biggest impression. It may be the final image of a film or the final bars of a musical work. In the bel canto repertoire, the final impression is generally left by whether a singer hits a certain high note, be it {…}
(Credit: Michael Cooper) “People are craving music and all the healing, soothing, and bonding elements it provides.” American-Canadian soprano superstar Sondra Radvanovsky was in Rio de Janeiro on March 13, 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world in full force. Radvanovsky was slated to perform at the Theatro Municipal, but the performance ended up being canceled. Faced with a {…}