Death of Classical 2025 Review: The Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra & Countertenor Franco Fagioli

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(Photo: Sam Roppola/Death of Classical) The Royal Opera of the Palace of Versailles, inaugurated in 1770 during the reign of Louis XV, was the largest concert hall in Europe at that time. The Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal (The Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra), was formed in 2019 specifically to perform John Corigliano’s opera, “The Ghosts of Versailles.” The orchestra, conducted by {…}

Business

Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra Announces Sponsors for U.S. Tour

https://operawire.com/versailles-royal-opera-orchestra-announces-sponsors-for-u-s-tour/

(Photo courtesy of Pascal Le Mée) Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra has announced that Gerret and Tatiana Copeland, the owners of Bouchaine Vineyards, will be sponsoring the organization’s debut in North America this summer. The ensemble heads to Festival Napa Valley to part of “La Fille du Régiment” as well as a series of baroque works at Opus One Premieres. Then {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Opéra Royal de Versailles 2025-26 Review: Atys

https://operawire.com/opera-royal-de-versailles-atys/

(Photo: Baptiste Lacaze) Lully’s “Atys” is said to have been Louis XIV’s favorite opera. Using a libretto by Philippe Quinault (1635-1688), “Atys” is based on the story of Attis from Ovid’s “Metamorphoses.” In the original story, Atys/Attis is a handsome Phrygian youth beloved by the goddess Cybèle. She demands his absolute fidelity but he betrays her with a nymph. As {…}

IndieOpera

Opera Modesto to Present Pauline Viardot’s ‘Cendrillon’

https://operawire.com/opera-modesto-to-present-pauline-viardots-cendrillon/

Opera Modesto will present a family-focused weekend of events at the State Theatre of Modesto from Jan. 16–18, 2026. The centerpiece showcase will be a fully staged production of “Cendrillon,” Pauline Viardot’s operetta based on the classic fairytale. The production features a 13-piece orchestra, opera singers from across the U.S., including artists from California’s Central Valley, and English-language projections integrated {…}

Special Features

Best of 2025: OperaWire’s Top 10 Performers of 2025

https://operawire.com/best-of-2025-operawires-top-10-performers-of-2025/

It is time to wrap up the year and look back at our favorite moments and performers. After releasing our favorite performances of 2025 and showcasing our rising stars of the year, it’s time for OperaWire’s annual tradition of naming our top singers of the year, honoring the opera stars that had major, and in some cases, career-defining, years. So without further ado {…}

News

Aurora Orchestra to Present ‘Memory with Lotte Betts-Dean and Brett Dean’

https://operawire.com/aurora-orchestra-to-present-memory-with-lotte-betts-dean-and-brett-dean/

The Aurora Orchestra will present “Memory with Lotte Betts-Dean and Brett Dean” on Jan. 17, 2026 at Kings Palace. The showcase will feature the father and daughter pairing of composer-conductor Brett Dean and mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean as they present a program that features Aaron Copland’s “Simple Gifts,” John Adams’ “Shaker Loops,” Molly Drake’s “I Remember,” Radiohead’s “Harry Patch (In Memory {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Opéra Royal Château de Versailles 2025-26 Review: Theodora

https://operawire.com/opera-royal-chateau-de-versailles-2025-26-review-theodora/

Opéra Royal Château de Versailles celebrated their 2025-26 season opening with Händel’s “Theodora” in the Chapelle Royale to a sold out crowd of locals and internationals. The Chapelle Royale was completed in 1710 under the reign of King Louis XIV. It was the last chapel built at Château de Versailles and features Gothic architecture with dramatic illustrated narratives in honor {…}

News

Sondra Radvanovsky, Freddie De Tommaso, Anastasia Bartoli, Elīna Garanča & Huw Montague Rendall Lead International Opera Awards Nominees

https://operawire.com/sondra-radvanovsky-freddie-de-tommaso-anastasia-bartoli-elina-garanca-huw-montague-rendall-lead-international-opera-awards-nominees/

The International Opera Awards have announced its 2025 nominees. The nominees for Opera Company of the Year are Deutsche Oper Berlin, GöteborgsOperan, Houston Grand Opera, MusikTheater an der Wien, Opernhaus Zürich, and Teatro alla Scala. Meanwhile, in the Female Singer category, Anastasia Bartoli, Elsa Dreisig, Véronique Gens, Asmik Grigorian, Sondra Radvanovsky, and Adela Zaharia are the nominees. In the Male Singer {…}

Business, News

Kennet Symphony Orchestra Announces New Name

https://operawire.com/kennet-symphony-orchestra-announces-new-name/

The Kennett Symphony has unveiled its new name as the Brandywine Valley Symphony. From 1988 to 2013, the orchestra earned a loyal following and a growing reputation under the baton of Mary Woodmansee Green, Pennsylvania’s first woman appointed as the conductor of a professional symphony. After her retirement, a national search brought Music Director Michael Hall to the podium, ushering {…}

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