Richard Mantle, Lucy Crowe, Nicky Spence, Ivor Bolton to Receive Major Distinctions as Part of King’s Birthday Honours

https://operawire.com/richard-mantle-lucy-crowe-nicky-spence-ivor-bolton-to-receive-major-distinctions-as-part-of-kings-birthday-honours/

A number of major figures of the opera world have received major distinctions as part of the King’s Birthday Honours. Opera North’s general director Richard Mantle will be knighted while conductor Ivor Bolton will be a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Finally, soprano Lucy Crowe and tenor Nicky Spence will be Officers of the Order of {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Conductor Ivor Bolton on History with Salzburg Festival & Cultural Crisis Caused by COVID-19

https://operawire.com/q-a-conductor-ivor-bolton-on-history-with-salzburg-festival-cultural-crisis-caused-by-covid-19/

(Credit: Ben Wright Photography) This year marked the 100th anniversary of the renowned Salzburg Festival in Austria. A critical milestone for the festival, they chose to still responsibly present the event this summer, albeit with a severely reduced program and heightened safety and security in response to the global pandemic. British conductor Ivor Bolton lead the Mozarteumsorchester Salzburg performing a {…}

News

Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Ludovic Tézier, Marina Rebeka, Elīna Garanča, Jessica Pratt, Luca Salsi, Aleksandra Kurzak & Francesco Meli Lead Maggio Musicale Fiorentino’s 2027 Season

https://operawire.com/anna-netrebko-jonas-kaufmann-ludovic-tezier-marina-rebeka-elina-garanca-jessica-pratt-luca-salsi-aleksandra-kurzak-francesco-meli-lead-maggio-musicale-fiorentinos-2027-season/

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced its 2027 season. Opera Kristina Mkhitarian star in Verdi’s “La Traviata” with Anthony Ciaramitaro, Luca Salsi, and Min Kim. Performance Dates: Jan. 15-22, 2027 Baldassarre Galuppi’s “Il mondo alla roversa o sia le donne che comandano” will star finalists of the International Pietro Antonio Cesti Baroque Singing Competition in Innsbruck. Chiara Cattani conducts the {…}

News, Season Announcement

Thomas Hampson, Camilla Nylund, & Kathryn Lewek Star in International Mozarteum Foundation’s Mozart Week Festival 2027

https://operawire.com/thomas-hampson-camilla-nylund-kathryn-lewek-star-in-international-mozarteum-foundations-mozart-week-festival-2027/

The International Mozarteum Foundation has announced programming for the Mozart Week Festival 2027. This article only features vocal works. Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” is presented by the Salzburg Camerata led by Ivor Bolton. The cast features Thomas Hampson, Kathryn Lewek, Patricia Nolz, Siyabonga Maqungo, Markus Werba, and Kate Lindsey. Bettina Geyer severs as director. Performance Dates: January 22, 24, & {…}

News

Carmela Remigio, Sara Cortolezzis, Iván Ayón Rivas & Francesca Aspromonte Lead Fondazione Haydn di Bolzano e Trento’s 2026-27 Season

https://operawire.com/carmela-remigio-sara-cortolezzis-ivan-ayon-rivas-francesca-aspromonte-lead-fondazione-haydn-di-bolzano-e-trentos-2026-27-season/

The Fondazione Haydn di Bolzano e Trento has announced its 2026-27 season. Opera Mozart’s “La Clemenza di Tito” will be directed by Chiara Muti and conducted by Ottavio Dantone. Giovanni Sala, Marie Lys, Martina Licari, Arianna Vendittelli, Paola Gardina, and Francesco Leone star. Performance Dates: Nov 27 & 29, 2026 Davide Tramontano’s “Cronaca di un Amore. Callas e Pasolini” will be {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Teatro Real de Madrid 2025-26 Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

https://operawire.com/teatro-real-de-madrid-2025-26-review-a-midsummer-nights-dream/

Four centuries after William Shakespeare imagined a night-time forest where desires dissolve into illusions, Benjamin Britten transformed that world into one of the most enigmatic operas of the 20th century. Now the work returns to the stage of Teatro Real in a new production by director Deborah Warner under the baton of conductor Ivor Bolton–a duo that has repeatedly shaped {…}

News, Season Announcement

Rachel Willis-Sørensen, Elisabeth Teige, Karen Cargill & Louise Alder lead Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s 2026-27 Season

https://operawire.com/rachel-willis-sorensen-elisabeth-teige-karen-cargill-louise-alder-lead-toronto-symphony-orchestras-2026-27-season/

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s 2026-27 season. Here are the vocal performances. Gustavo Gimeno conducts María Toledo and Eric Abramovitz in a program of Falla, Stravinsky, and Jose Gonzalez Granero. Performance Dates: Oct. 1 & 3, 2026 Gustavo Gimeno and Rachel Willis-Sørensen team up for Strauss’ “Four Last Songs.” The program also includes Mahler and Beethoven. Performance Dates: Nov. 12 & 14, {…}

Business, News

Rolando Villazón’s Contract at International Mozarteum Foundation Extended Through 2031

https://operawire.com/rolando-villazons-contract-at-international-mozarteum-foundation-extended-through-2031/

The International Mozarteum Foundation has announced that Rolando Villazón will remain its Artistic Director through 2031. Villazón has served as Intendant of the Mozart Week Festival since 2019 and assumed full artistic responsibility for the Foundation in summer 2021. His contract was previously extended to 2028 in 2022. Moreover, the Foundation also unveiled initial highlights of the 2027 Mozart Week {…}