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Reviews, Stage Reviews

Opéra National de Paris 2025 Review: Castor et Pollux

https://operawire.com/opera-national-de-paris-2025-review-castor-et-pollux/

(Photo: Vincent Pontent) Few operas have a more melancholic plot than this one: two brothers, twins with different fathers– one must die so the other can live. The twist? The brother destined to die happens to be immortal. In the end, they are forever united in the sky. Rameau’s “Castor et Pollux” is one of history’s great musical triumphs, and {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Opéra-Comique Paris 2024-25 Review: Les Fêtes d’Hébé

https://operawire.com/opera-comique-paris-2024-25-review-les-fetes-dhebe/

(Photo: Vincent Pontet) If I were to rank the weakest opera libretti of all time, Jean-Philippe Rameau and Antoine-César Gautier de Montdorge’s “Les Fêtes d’Hébé ou Les Talents Lyriques” would certainly be in the top tier. Nevertheless, the opera-ballet possesses an allegorical charm that transcends the quality of its text—and it is a charm that is not solely musical. After {…}

News, Streaming

Paris Opera Play Unveils Streaming Slate for January & February 2025

https://operawire.com/paris-opera-play-unveils-streaming-slate-for-january-february-2025/

The Opéra National de Paris has announced the streaming slate for Paris Opera Play during the months of January and February. First up is “Vissi d’arte – Gala Maria Callas,” starring Sondra Radvanovsky, Pretty Yende, Kate Lindsey, and Eve-Maud Hubeaux. Eun Sun Kim conducted the gala, which was be directed by Robert Carsen. The event took place in December 2023. {…}

News

Lisette Oropesa, Asmik Grigorian, Jonas Kaufmann, Diana Damrau, Cecilia Bartoli & Sabine Devieilhe Lead Salzburg Festival’s 2025 Season

https://operawire.com/lisette-oropesa-asmik-grigorian-jonas-kaufmann-diana-damrau-cecilia-bartoli-sabine-devieilhe-lead-salzburg-festivals-2025-season/

The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2025 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Opera Bas Wiegers conducts Michael Jarrell’s “Kassandra” with actress Dagmar Manzel and the Ensemble Modern. Performance Date: July 23, 2025 Salvatore Sciarrino’s “Macbeth” will be conducted by Vimbayi Kaziboni. Cody Quattlebaum, Alice Rossi, Leonardo Cortellazzi, Iris van Wijnen, and Davide Giangregorio. Performance Date: July 25, {…}

DVD and CD Releases, News

Sonya Yoncheva, Benjamin Appl, Philippe Jaroussky, Gregory Kunde & Saimir Pirgu Lead New CD/DVD Releases

https://operawire.com/sonya-yoncheva-benjamin-appl-philippe-jaroussky-gregory-kunde-saimir-pirgu-lead-new-cd-dvd-releases/

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. As the holiday season arrives, this week also features several high-profile recordings by superstars including a Christmas album that features many classics. Schubert Lieder  Countertenor Philippe Jaroussky releases a new album of Schubert Lieder. In a statement, he said, “Schubert’s music has been {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Salzburg Festival 2024 Review: Les Contes d’Hoffmann

https://operawire.com/salzburg-festival-2024-review-les-contes-dhoffmann/

It is blatantly evident that there is a connection between the advent of cinema and the decline of Opera. Once the main form of entertainment, the operatic stage lost its prominence to the silver screen. There is something that opera used to give that cinema somehow gave, too—the question is what? Last year, the Salzburg Festival attempted to bridge the {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Opéra Royal de Versailles 2023-24 Review: L’Orfeo

https://operawire.com/opera-royal-de-versailles-2023-24-review-lorfeo/

(Photo: Stefan Brion) The Renaissance in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries largely excluded music. As a movement inspired by classical examples, it had no ancient musical forms to revive since no classical music had survived in any form. Claudio Monteverdi is often regarded as the father of the musical Renaissance. Over fifty years, he structured the madrigal form, {…}

News

Jonas Kaufmann, Katarina Bradić & Elizabeth DeShong Lead Théâtre du Châtelet’s 2024-25 Season

https://operawire.com/jonas-kaufmann-katarina-bradic-elizabeth-deshong-lead-theatre-du-chatelets-2024-25-season/

The Théâtre du Châtelet ⁦has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances.  Jonas Kaufmann and Valeria Sepe perform a concert alongside the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz and conductor Jochen Rieder. Performance Date: Oct. 9, 2024 Katarina Bradić sings the title role of Händel’s “Orlando” with a cast also featuring Siobhan Stagg, Elizabeth DeShong, Giulia Semenzato, and Riccardo Novaro. {…}

News

Joyce El-Khoury, Lea Desandre, Anne-Catherine Gillet & Jarrett Ott Lead Opéra Comique’s 2024-25 Season

https://operawire.com/joyce-el-khoury-lea-desandre-anne-catherine-gillet-jarrett-ott-lead-opera-comiques-2024-25-season/

Opéra Comique has announced its schedule for the 2024-25 season. Auber’s “Le Domino noir” is set to be conducted by Louis Langrée and will be directed by Valérie Lesort and Christian Hecq. The cast includes Anne-Catherine Gillet, Cyrille Dubois, and Victoire Bunel. Performance Date: Sept. 20-28, 2024 George Benjamin & Martin Crimp’s “Picture a Day Like This” is set to {…}