(Credit: Cory Weaver) Minnesota Opera has announced an all-new 2020 Digital Opera Series in partnership with the Classical Minnesota Public Radio. Starting on May 14, the company will present radio broadcasts and other audio streams of operas it has presented with a new title released weekly. The series is set to run through June 11. It all kicks off with {…}
In Italy, Verdi and Puccini are the great representatives of Italian opera. In Germany, it’s Wagner and Strauss. In France? It’s hard to argue against anyone but Massenet. But what’s curious about the great composer’s output is that while he was rather bounteous in his creation, only a handful of operas actually became major staples. “Manon,” “Werther,” “Thaïs.” You could {…}
Credit: Weinstein Company/Metropolitan Opera “Opera Meets Film is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will hone in on a selection or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perceptions of a film that we are viewing. This {…}
(Photo Source: Tact International Art Management) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced a major cast change for its upcoming performances of “Thaïs,” according to its official website. Andrei Danilov will replace previously scheduled tenor Paolo Fanale in the role of Nicias for the both concert performances of the famed Massenet opera on April 8 and April 12. Danilov has recently {…}
The Maryland Lyric Opera has unveiled its 2019-20 season which currently features three productions. The company will kick things off with the season with a concert performance of “Il Tabarro” and “Cavalleria Rusticana.” The double bill will feature Mark Delavan, Jill Gardner, Susan Bullock, and Jonathan Burton will headlining in both works. Louis Salemno conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 14, 15, {…}
Among Massenet’s most enduring works is “Thaïs,” an exploration of two souls moving in completely opposite spiritual states. The opera had its world premiere on March 16, 1984, with American soprano Sibyl Sanderson in the title role. The work was later revised and premiered on April 13, 1898. The opera has endured for a number of reasons. First off, many {…}
Utah Opera has announced its 2019-20 season. The season will open with Verdi’s “La Traviata,” directed by Garnett Bruce, in the newly renovated Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre. Anya Matanovic will star as Violetta Valéry, alongside Rafael Moras making his Utah Opera debut as Alfredo and Metropolitan Opera-regular Michael Chioldi as Germont. Steven White will conduct. Performance Dates: Oct. 12 {…}
Jules Massenet, born on May 12, 1842, is arguably the chameleon of all opera composers, his style evolving to suit the text rather than imposing a specific musical style to every work. This ability makes him, for many, the greatest French composer of opera to ever live. He studied under Ambroise Thomas in his youth, won the country’s top musical {…}
The Metropolitan Opera is slated for its latest premiere this week when it showcases Massenet’s “Cendrillon.” The opera, which is based on the tale of Cinderella will star Joyce DiDonato and is set to run between April 12 and May 11. The opera will also feature Alice Coote, Stephanie Blythe, Kathleen Kim, Laurent Naouri, all under the musical direction of {…}
It’s a busy weekend in North America with close to 70 performances taking place all over the continent. With so much activity from such major companies, pinning down just a handful to recommend to the operagoer was a rather challenging task. But here is a look at five performances to see this weekend around the States and Canada. As One {…}
“The voice must be heard.” For the last two years, this has been the calling card for the Metropolitan Opera’s marketing department, a call to just come and listen to opera as it is intended to be. An invitation to experience something that can’t be experienced anywhere. For many, that tagline has been particularly emblematic of the vocal wizardry that {…}