(©Tristram Kenton) The Royal Opera presented at their Covent Garden Theatre a revival of their new production of “Rigoletto” by the stage director, and artistic director of the Royal Opera, Oliver Mears. Oliver Mears’ production is austere and minimalistic. The first two acts have a back golden wall, with big paintings hanging on the palace’s scenes, and Gilda’s room for {…}
(Credit: Monika Rittershaus/Royal Opera House) Opera actor Rose Knox-Peebles is firing back at the Financial Times following a review of “Das Rheingold” at the Royal Opera House. After the opening night, Richard Fairman, critic for the Financial Times, wrote, “Erda, the earth goddess, is also on stage the whole evening, played by Rose Knox-Peebles and made up to look quite {…}
Speranza Scappucci is set to become the principal guest conductor at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 2025. The Italian conductor will be the first principal guest conductor in over a quarter of a century. Scappucci will assume the role in September 2025, when the Royal Opera House’s incoming music director, the Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša, will also start {…}
The Royal Opera has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Aida.” The company said that Angel Blue has withdrawn from the last three performances of “Aida” due to a family illness. As a result, Christina Nilsson will perform the title role on May 23, 27, and 1, making her house debut in Robert Carsen’s production, conducted by Mark {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced “Insurrection: A work in progress.” The project is a series of semi-staged showcases in the Linbury Theatre, based on a new work currently in development that explores how we come together to understand the legacy of enslavement. The events will run from March 21 to 25, 2023 which is International Day of Remembrance of {…}
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Opera House and BBC Proms have canceled performances. The Royal Opera closed on Sept. 8 and canceled performances of “Don Giovanni” and the Aida Insight. The house said it would contact ticket holders for refunds or to change to another performance. Meanwhile, BBC Proms canceled two nights including the Last Night {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced a restructuring due to financial constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement comes as the company has cut its entire team of casual staff. The Royal Opera House did not confirm how many jobs were cut but did state that “a voluntary redundancy process was also underway and that all casual contracts had {…}
The Royal Opera will make a return to Japan during the 2019-20 season. The company will perform two classic works of the standard repertory including Verdi’s “Otello” and Gounod’s “Faust.” Antonio Pappano will conduct all of the performances. “Faust” will open on tour on Sept. 12, 2019 and will feature tenor Vittorio Grigòlo in the title role. He will be {…}
The Royal Opera has announced Mark-Anthony Turnage’s new stagework “Coraline,” an opera for family audiences due for premiere at the Barbican Theatre in March 2018. The opera will be an adaptation of the much-loved classic fantasy tale by Neil Gaiman. Aletta Collins will stage the opera with Sian Edwards conducting the Britten Sinfonia. It will be a co-production with Opéra de Lille, Victorian {…}
Vittorio Grigolo is one of the most acclaimed tenors of his generation and has already been hailed as the successor to Luciano Pavarotti, his greatest qualities including his rampant energy and charisma on stage. On Feb. 19 Grigolo celebrates his 40th birthday and as a result OperaWire takes a look at some his most acclaimed roles The Duke in “Rigoletto” Vittorio Grigolo {…}
Angela Gheorghiu celebrated her 25th anniversary and 150th performance at the Royal Opera on Feb. 7, opening night of Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur” The occasion marked the first revival of the 2010 production, which Gheorghiu opened alongside Jonas Kaufmann and Olga Borodina. A favorite of the Royal Opera House, Gheorghiu had her big breakthrough in the house and around the world when she sang Violetta {…}
