Earlier this week, the Royal Opera House Songs for Ukraine Chorus met with First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenkska during a visit to No. 10 Downing Street. During a reception, the ensemble performed the Ukrainian national anthem and “Prayer for Ukraine” for Zelenska and Akshata Murty. “We were absolutely delighted that Mrs. Zelenska and Mrs. Murty met with our wonderful {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced its International Women’s Day celebrations. The company will present the “Women in Technical Theatre” panel discussion starting at 12:30 p.m. The discussion will be led by ROH Director of Technical, Production & Costume, Emma Wilson MBE. Then comes “The Diva and the Hag,” a panel discussion curated by the Engender network. “This event explores how we challenge {…}
(Photo: Camilla Greenwell/Royal Opera House) Trailing draggily behind Puccini’s rue and jubilance, this season’s Royal Opera House revival of the tearful “La bohème” appears afraid of the work’s earnestness. Decked out in semi-mockeries of 1830s Paris, Richard Jones’ 2017 production favors episodes of bawdiness at the expense of the Bohemian; endangering its players’ vocal liberties. Perhaps as the result of {…}
The Jette Parker Artists and The Royal Opera are set to present a double bill featuring Martinu’s “Larmes de couteau” and Harbison’s “Full Moon in March.” The showcase, which will be presented at the Linbury Theatre starting on April 26, 2024, will be directed by Eleanor Burke and Harriet Taylor. Both operas will star Valentina Puskás as Eleanora, alongside Veena {…}
Nina Stemme has withdrawn from the Jan. 18, 2024 performance of “Elektra” at the Royal Opera House. The company noted that Stemme is ill and as a result, the role of Elektra will be performed by Ausrine Stundyte, who made her highly anticipated Covent Garden debut as Elektra on Jan. 15, 2024. Stundyte is a well-known interpreter of Elektra as {…}
(Photo credit: © ROH 2024/Tristram Kenton) Had a family bust-up over the holidays? Don’t worry – it could be worse. Richard Strauss’ “Elektra,” with a libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal from his 1903 play of the same, took a dysfunctional family of the opera stage to new extremes, boiling up Sophocles’ tale of matricide in the Freudian pressure cooker of {…}
(Credit: Salzburg Festival / Bernd Uhlig) The Royal Opera House has announced a cast change for its production of “Elektra” on Jan. 15, 2024. The company said, “Sadly, Nina Stemme has withdrawn from singing the role of Elektra in this evening’s performance due to illness. The role of Elektra will be performed by Ausrine Stundyte who makes her highly anticipated {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced the cast details for its Japan 2024 tour. “It’s a pleasure to be bringing these incredible works to Japan – with two stellar casts, our Royal Operas Chorus and of course Orchestra of the Royal Opera House,” said Music Director Antonio Pappano, who will conduct all the performances on the tour, in an official {…}
(© Laura Scaccabarozzi) The Royal Opera House has announced two cast changes for upcoming productions. The company revealed that Danielle de Niese has withdrawn from all performances of “La Bohème” to recover from illness. In her stead, Lauren Fagan will take on the famed role of Musetta. Fagan has previously appeared with the company in “Hansel and Gretel” and was {…}
(Photo: Marc Brenner) They go together like cookies and milk…like bacon and eggs…like Adam and Eve! Nooooooo! Not “Cav” and “Pag,” as the fans insist on calling the operas, but Roberto Alagna and Aleksandra Kurzak! The golden couple, currently on at the Royal Opera House in “Cavalleria Rusticana,” consolidated their positions as world class artists here with spellbinding performances from {…}
(Callas enshrouded in reporters. Credit: Maurice Zalewski/ADOC photos) Vignettes of onstage outtakes are aplenty. Daily shots of the soprano, less so. Here’s a peek into Maria’s typical excursions—culinary and sartorial; social and cultural—on a work(not really)less day. Coruscating like the crystalline intrusion of a cocktail dress’ brooch asparkle in a parking lot; a spotlight pooling blindness onto “Poliuto”‘s Paolina; {…}