(Photo Credit: Dagens Nyhter/Mattias Ahlm) On February 4, I had the pleasure of seeing Igor Stravinsky’s, “The Rake’s Progress,” for the first time. Having only read about the opera, I hadn’t come to realize how satirical Stravinsky could really be. Shostakovich and Prokofiev have been my references for the identity of Russian musical satire. Leading the Swedish Chamber Orchestra was {…}
(Photo credit: © Glyndebourne Productions Ltd. Richard Hubert Smith) John Cox and David Hockney’s production of “The Rake’s Progress” for Glyndebourne can surely lay claim to being the longest-running staging in the UK. It is 48-years-young this season, and on its 12th revival between Festival and Tour, not to mention the numerous loans of the production to international houses of {…}
(Credits: Linda Rabisch / Bethany Davis / Gerard Collett) The Glyndebourne Festival has announced its fall tour 2021 that will take place from October 8 – Dec. 12, 2021. Here is the full slate. Ludwig van Beethoven‘s only opera “Fidelio” will star Clay Hilley as Don Florestan, Callum Thorpe in the role of Rocco, Carrie-Ann Williams as Marzelline, Gavan Ring {…}
(Credit: Alasdair Muir) Glyndebourne has unveiled the next set of operas that will stream as part of its online “Open House Series.” The company revealed that it will be streaming a production of Verdi’s “Falstaff” as directed by Richard Jones. The production, which was conducted by Vladimir Jurowski, stars Christopher Purves in the iconic title role alongside Alasdair Elliott, Paolo {…}
“I strive to bring out the best in myself, but I also know that perfection does not exist. And to be honest: I don’t care. Neither in myself nor in others. In my eyes, perfectionism is an unhealthy and cramped urge. Because you cannot force perfection. Compare it to lying in the water. Whoever relaxes, who dares to surrender, stays {…}
Igor Stravinsky is one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, born on June 17, 1882. Stravinsky grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia and was taken with music from an early age. He studied piano and music theory as a child, though he received a great deal of discouragement from the likes of famed composer Alexander Glazunov. He was {…}
Tenor Jerry Hadley, born on June 16, 1952, is one of the most renowned American tenors of all time, showcasing versatility in opera, operetta, and even Broadway. He was born in Illinois and initiated his career studying conducting. Eventually, he shifted to becoming a singer and earned a number of leading roles in his graduate years at the University of {…}
“The Rake’s Progress,” an opera in three acts and an epilogue by Igor Stravinsky, was one of the six operas performed at this year’s Festival International d’art Lyrique d’Aix-en-Provence. Although relatively modern, compared to the classical opera repertoire (it premiered on 11 April 1951), Simon McBurney’s visually striking and infinitely creative staging gives it an additional innovative edge. English actor, {…}
A few years ago, tenor Paul Appleby made headlines for a potent and powerful showcase in Stravinsky’s “The Rake’s Progress.” Little did he know that that role debut would turn out to be a major calling card in his career. He is now heading into his third major production of the opera at the Festival Aix-en-Provence and is finding the {…}
The Aix-en-Provence festival has announced the schedule for 2017, which will feature one new production after another with many of opera’s greatest singers. Pinocchio – July 3-16 The festival will kick off with the World Premiere of Phillippe Boesmans’ “Pinocchio” on July 3, 2017. The opera will feature Chloé Briot in the title role with Stéphane Degout as the troupe {…}
