“Page to Opera Stage” looks at stories – real-life or fiction, old and new – that have inspired operas, and the ways these narratives have been edited and dramatized to fit a new medium. This month, we return to Goethe, this time with Jules Massenet’s poignant adaptation of his name-making novel “The Sorrows of Young Werther” The following contains discussion {…}
(Credit: Mikel Ponce / Miguel Lorenzo) OperaVision has announced its streams for the month of December. Clément Hervieu-Léger’s production of Philippe Hersant and Jean Echenoz’s “Les Éclairs” from Opéra Comique kicks off the streaming slate. The opera features Jean-Christophe Lanièce, Marie-Andrée Bouchard-Lesieur, François Rougier, Elsa Benoit, André Heyboer, Jérôme Boutillier, Alban Dufourt, and Mathieu Dubroca. Ariane Matiakh conducts. Streaming dates: {…}
On Oct. 8 and 10, 2021, the Polish National Opera is set to revive Massenet’s “Werther.” The production by Willy Decker will star Leonardo Caimi in the title role and Iryna Zhytynska as Charlotte with Patrick Fournillier. The classic production focuses on the psychological aspects of Werther’s obsessive love with the sets by Wolfgang Gussmann expressing the imprisonment of the {…}
Opéra de Lausanne has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is a look. Mozart‘s “Le Nozze di Figaro” opens the season. The opera stars Phillip Addis as Count Almaviva, Valentina Naforniţa as Countess Almaviva, Arianna Vendittelli as Susanna, and Robert Gleadow in the title role. The cast also includes Lucia Cirillo, Ruben Amoretti, Léa Desandre, Pablo Garcia Lopez, François Piolino, Sophie {…}
(Credit: Simon Pauly) On May 8 Opera Vlaanderen in Belgium will stream a production of Massenet’s “Werther.” The production conducted by Giedre Slekyte will star Enea Scala in the title role. It will be Scala’s role debut and he will be joined by Ivan Thirion as Albert, Rihab Chaieb as Charlotte, and Elisa Soster as Sophie. The production will be {…}
(Credit: © Marco Glaviano) Tenor Vittorio Grigolo will give a recital at the Teatro alla Scala on Feb. 22, 2021. The tenor will be accompanied by pianist Vincenzo Scalera. Due to the Italian government’s COVID-19 regulations, the recital will be held without live audiences. The program for the concert includes “Inosservato, penetrava… Angelo casto e bel” from “Il Duca d’alba;” {…}
(Credit: Piotr Beczała official website) The Wiener Staatsoper has announced a cast change for the premiere of Calixto Bieito’s production of Bizet’s “Carmen.” The company announced that Piotr Beczała will replace Charles Castronovo in the role of Don José. Castronovo was recently hospitalized due to COVID-19 and is currently recovering. Therefore, he will not be able to make all scheduled rehearsals. {…}
(Images source: MEZZO TV website) Opernhaus Zürich will broadcast three operas on MEZZO TV throughout January and February 2021. First up will be Bellini’s operatic jewel “I Capuleti e i Montecchi” featuring Joyce DiDonato in the role of Romeo, Olga Kulchynska as Giulietta, Benjamin Bernheim in the role of Tebaldo, Alexei Botnarciuc as Capellio, and Erik Anstine as Lorenzo. Opernhaus {…}
(Credit: http://www.avantartmagazin.com/) Famed Serbian mezzo-soprano Biserka Cvejić has died at the age of 97. Cvejić performed over 70 roles during throughout her renowned career, including Bizet’s “Carmen,” which became one of her calling cards. Other major roles included Eboli in Verdi’s “Don Carlos,” Amneris in “Aida,” Ulrica in “Un Ballo in Maschera,” Azucena in “Il Trovatore,” Charlotte in Massenet’s “Werther,” {…}
(Credits: Gregor Hohenberg SONY Classical) The Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège has announced that it has canceled concerts by Juan Diego Flórez and Jonas Kaufmann due to the COVID-19 measures imposed by the government of Belgium. Flórez was set to perform on Jan. 8, 2021, alongside Christopher Franklin, who was supposed to lead Orchestra of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège. Meanwhile, {…}
(Credit: Gran Teatre Del Liceu official website) The Gran Teatre Del Liceu has announced that mezzo-soprano Stéphanie d’Oustrac has cancelled her participation in Offenbach’s “Les contes d’Hoffmann” on Jan. 19 & 31, 2021 in the role of La Musa/Nicklausse, due to health reasons. As a result, mezzo-soprano Carol García will perform in her stead. García will join the cast that {…}