(Photo Credit: Keith Saunders) Opera Australia’s summer season continued on February 8 with a chance to hear Handel’s favorite among his oratorios. What was it? 1739’s “Saul?” “Messiah” of 1742? Neither. In a coproduction with baroque specialists Pinchgut Opera, Opera Australia presented “Theodora,” Handel’s oratorio from 1750. This was a semi-staged version directed by Lindy Hume, who has been Opera {…}
(Credit: © Camilla Greenwell, ROH 2022) A much-publicized intimacy director; bold text warnings about sexual violence and “terrorist themes.” There was a certain gung-ho mood amongst the audience going into Katie Mitchell’s new production of Handel’s tragic oratorio “Theodora” at the Royal Opera House this week. The first performance of the work in Covent Garden for 272 years, in fact. {…}
On Jan. 31, the Royal Opera House is set to present a new production of Händel’s Oratorio “Theodora.” The work has not been heard in the Covent Garden since its 1750 premiere and this season audiences will get to see a feminist light on the story with an all-star cast and conductor. Leading the cast is Julia Bullock who is {…}
(Credits: © Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Classical / Jiyang Chen / Chris Singer / Paul Schirnhofer/DG / Opus 3 Artists official website) Philharmonie Essen has announced its 2021-22 season. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on the vocal works only. Christine Goerke and Klaus Florian Vogt perform works by Richard Wagner. Andris Nelsons conducts the Bayreuther Festspielorchester. {…}
(Credits: Dario Acosta / © Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Classical / Angela Gheorghiu official website / Michael Cooper / Kasskara/DG / Chris Singer) The Royal Opera House Covent Garden has announced full details of its exciting 2021-22 season, which will star some of the world’s greatest performers. The Royal Opera House Live Cinema Season and digital program will be announced {…}
(Credit: Zsófia Raffay) Hungarian soprano Emöke Baráth will give a recital at Auditori de Barcelona on Feb. 16, 2021. Baráth will perform works by Georg Friedrich Händel, including excerpts from the oratorio “Theodora,” HWV 68, excerpts from the oratorio “Joseph and his Brethern,” WVV 59, and Motet “Silete Venti,” HWV 242. Francesco Corti will conduct Les Musiciens du Louvre. Emöke {…}
(Credit: Chris Singer) Only seven days before the COVID-19 pandemic fell on our heads, American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato was in New York portraying the role of Agrippina at the Metropolitan Opera House. Taking on the role of the cunning queen, DiDonato already had been in the eye of the storm. At that moment very few people really understood well what {…}
After a week of no real releases, the Opera world is back in flux and this week will see a number of anticipated titles including DVDs and an album by Renee Fleming. Rene Fleming returns The People’s Diva is releasing her first solo album in three years. After taking a break from the studio Fleming is back with a unique {…}
Johannes Martin Kränzle may not have the world-renown name of many major singers, but he certainly has the experience and recordings to illustrate his strength as an artist. The baritone has a varied selection from which listeners can choose from, ranging from high profile video recordings to more intimate listening experiences. Here are some of his vital albums. 1. Alberich {…}