Rossini’s “Semiramide” is arguably one of the finest operas that the composer created. Being his final Italian work, Rossini had attained a depth of craft that represented the culmination of years and years of steady work. Unfortunately, “Semiramide” is also monstrously difficult to mount and when it opens at the Metropolitan Opera on Feb. 19, 2018, the performance count for {…}
At the start of Rossini’s “Semiramide,” Arsace returns to Babylon after a long time away. For years, Elizabeth DeShong has been a fixture at the Metropolitan Opera singing in such operas as “La Rondine,” “Aida,” “The Enchanted Island,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Madama Butterfly,” and “Lulu.” Then after the 2015-16 season, she did not return until now to take on {…}
Joyce DiDonato is a fierce artist and one of the finest of the 21st century. She didn’t land at the number one spot of our top singers of 2017 list for no reason. DiDonato, born on Feb. 13, has been the champion of all people and in the opera world she has shown an ability to slip from one piece {…}
Rossini’s comedic operas are undeniably the ones for which he is best recognized, but there are a number of Opera Seria that tend to get overlooked when they shouldn’t. One of those is “Semiramide,” an opera long considered one of the composer’s finest and growing in reputation in recent years. In a recent interview with OperaWire, conductor José Miguel Pérez-Sierra {…}
Michele Pertusi has withdrawn from singing the role of Assur in The Royal Opera’s “Semiramide” As a result, the role will now be sung by Mirco Palazzi. Palazzi has previously sung the role of Assur for Opera di Firenze, Opéra de Bordeaux and at a concert performance with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Mark Elder at the {…}
OperaDelaware will celebrate the 225th anniversary of Rossini’s birth by performing “Semiramide” and “La Cenerentola” as a part of the company’s 2017 festival. Starting on Saturday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. OperaDelaware presents Rossini’s final Italian opera, “Semiramide.” This rarely performed masterpiece will appear again on May 7 at 2:00 p.m. Maestro Anthony Barrese will conduct as Dean Anthony directs. {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced its 2017-18 season, which will feature four World Premieres, seven new productions of established repertory classics and one concert performance. The New Productions The season opens on Sept. 11 with Richard Jones’ new take on Puccini’s “La Bohème.” Michael Fabiano leads the cast on opening night, though such notable artists as Maria Agresta, Benjamin {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has added a live stream to its series for 2017. The company announced that on March 18 opera-lovers from all around the globe will have the chance to experience tenor Jonas Kaufmann in Giordano’s “Andrea Chénier.” The tenor will star in director Philipp Stölzl’s new production alongside soprano Anja Harteros, in her role debut as Maddalena di Coigny, and Luca Salsi as Carlo Gérard. Omer {…}
Want to watch operas in Munich but don’t live anywhere near Germany? That will no longer be a problem starting this Sunday as the Bayerische Staatsoper has announced that opera lovers will be able to stream performances for free (!) from Munich live and in full online, by clicking on staatsoper.tv. The productions will utilize four to six cameras with up {…}
Often when we react to a flood of news, like a new opera season, it is easy to dwell on some of the negatives, such as which of your favorites are now showing up or which operas got the boot for yet another season. But the beauty of a new season is ultimately the gems that we will get to {…}
One of the most hotly anticipated parts of every Met Opera season has to be the Live in HD Series. Arguably the most successful aspect of Peter Gelb’s tenure with the company, the video recordings of live performances work on so many levels. Not only do they connect with audiences worldwide, but they immortalize performances and interpretations of beloved works {…}