Photo credit: ENO 2022 © Tristram Kenton Gilbert and Sullivan have become English National Opera (ENO) staples. Jonathan Miller’s much-revived radical “The Mikado” in the ’80s provided the template: serious singers and serious comedy. In recent years cultural heavyweights like Mike Leigh have created productions for the company. The last two shows—“Iolanthe” and “HMS Pinafore”—were directed by Cal McCrystal, most {…}
(Photo: Catherine Ashmore) Such has been the success of Margret Atwood’s novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” that, since its publication in 1985, it now finds itself positioned alongside other major 20th century dystopian novels, drawing comparisons with Orwell’s “1984” and Huxley’s “Brave New World.” Like them, it has entered the cultural mainstream, spawning plays, films, a ballet, a major television series, {…}
The English National Opera has announced its 2022-23 season featuring eight productions and seven operas. Leo Hussain conducts Puccini’s “Tosca” in a new production by Christof Loy. The cast will include Sinéad Campbell-Wallace, Adam Smith, and Noel Bouley. Performance Dates: Sept. 30–Nov. 4 2022 Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Yeomen of the Guard” will include Anthony Gregory, Neal Davies, Alexandra Oomens, Heather {…}
(Credit: Teatro dell’Opera di Roma) Italy’s Teatro dell’Opera di Roma has announced the 2021-22 season featuring world premieres, rarely staged works, and star singers. Here is a look at the operatic performances of the season. Pre-Opening Before opening night, the fall season will see Verdi’s “Giovanna d’Arco.” The work will be presented for the first time in Rome since 1972 {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta / Vienna State Opera) Let’s kick this off with arguably the most essential streaming from around the opera world that you can engage with this week. Several of opera’s prominent black artists have been very outspoken in recent weeks about the issue of racial injustice that has taken hold of the international conversation, and many others have {…}
The Philharmonia Orchestra has announced its 2020-21 season featuring internationally acclaimed guest soloists and recognized conductors. For the purposes of this article, we will only focus on vocal performances. Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts Yuja Wang and the Philharmonia Voices in Beethoven’s “The Creatures of Prometheus” and Scriabin’s Prometheus: The Poem of Fire. Perfomance Date: Sept. 24, 2020 The Philharmonia Orchestra presents Walton’s {…}
The Norwegian National Opera announced its plans for the 2019-20 season. Here is the lineup: The season open with Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore” in a production by British director Oliver Mears. Operalia Competition winner Luis Gomes sings Nemorino opposite Andrea Carroll’s Adina. Baritone Andrei Kymach and Bass-baritone Günes Gürle will sing Belcore and Dulcamara, respectively. The conductor will be Daniel Smith. {…}
The Handel and Haydn Society is set to perform Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas.” The stage production will be directed by Aidan Lang, current general director of the Seattle Opera and future leader of the Welsh National Opera. Soprano Susan Bickley will perform the role of Dido, while baritone David McFerrin will take on the role of Aeneas. The cast is rounded {…}
The Handel and Hayden Society has announced its 2018-19 season which will feature nine major subscription concerts and 16 Handel and Haydn premieres. It will also mark the 204th season of the society which is led by Artistic Director Harry Christophers. The Handel and Haydn Society brings Classical and Baroque music to life on period instruments in historically informed performances, {…}