Anja Harteros, Irina Lungu, Piotr Beczala, Kiri Te Kanawa, Luciano Pavarotti Headline Top 10 Operas to Stream this Week
By David SalazarAs we get deeper and deeper into the summer months and festivals start to open back up, it seems inevitable that streams are becoming rarer and rarer. But there are still several incredible options out there and this week’s offering showcase a breadth of variety.
(***Some of these performances may be region-blocked (only accessible to people connected to a network in a specific country). But you can gain access by using a VPN. For find out more, click here. )
Alcina – Medici.tv / Vienna State Opera (NOW)
Let’s start off with a unique star turn. Dating from 2011, this production of the Händel opera stars Anja Harteros in repertory we don’t normally hear her in today. This is an opportunity to see one of opera’s greatest living stars showcase her versatility. She’s flanked by a star-studded cast that includes Véronica Cangemi, Vesselina Kasarova, Adam Plachetka, and Benjamin Bruns, among others.
Lucia di Lammermoor – Opernhaus Zürich (NOW)
Those seeking out a star-studded production of a classic Bel Canto opera can’t go wrong with this version of Donizetti’s masterwork. It stars Irina Lungu, Piotr Beczala, and Massimo Cavalletti, among others.
Forgotten Voices — Unearthing the Roots of American Music – Skylight Music Theatre (NOW)
Skylight Music Theatre is now streaming a unique musical experience that spotlights “how the harmonies and rhythms of West Africa formed the musical roots of freedom songs, spirituals, and blues, and later ragtime, Dixieland, country, swing, bebop, jazz, gospel, rock and roll, and beyond.”
The Haunted Manor – Poznan Opera / OperaVision (NOW)
Those seeking out unique new operas can check out this work, which stars Ruslana Koval, Małgorzata Olejniczak-Worobiej, Magdalena Wilczyńska-Goś, Magdalena Wachowska, Piotr Friebe, and Piotr Kalina, among others. Marco Guidarini conducts a production by Iliaria Lanzino.
Der Rosenkavalier – Metropolitan Opera (July 5)
The Met Opera will kick off its all-Strauss week with this 1982 production of “Der Rosenkavalier” featuring a star-studded cast that includes Kiri Te Kanawa, Tatiana Troyanos, Judith Blegen, Luciano Pavarotti, Derek Hammond-Stroud, and Kurt Moll. This is one you don’t want to miss.
Haute Mess – Redivivus Opera (July 7)
Composer-pianist Felix Jarrar will team up with soprano Laura Isabella for a showcase featuring music by Jarrar, Cole Porter, Kurt Weill, and others.
La Casa de Lucero – Barcerlona Song Festival (July 8)
The Barcelona Song Festival will kick off its 17th edition with a tribute to Colombian Jaime León, one of the most important Pan-American composers of the 20th century. The recital will feature soprano Patricia Caicedo and pianist Manuel Ruíz.
Watch it here.
The Zolle Suite – Los Angeles Opera (July 9)
Los Angeles Opera will continue its series of short opera films, this time with a piece based on Du Yun’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 2005 opera “Zolle.” The production was produced by Ron Diamond of Acme Filmworks and directed by Steven Woloshen, Ben Swiczinsky, and Kristian Pedersen. The music will be performed by mezzo-soprano Hai-Ting Chinn, joined by the International Contemporary Ensemble, under the baton of Julian Wachner.
Opera in the Heights – Opera Modesto (July 9)
Opera Modesto will offer up a unique concert experience headlined by soprano Maya Kherani and mezzo-soprano AND trapeze artists Nikola Printz.
Jenufa – San Francisco Opera (July 10)
San Francisco Opera is set to stream a 2016 production of “Jenufa” starring Malin Byström in the title role alongside Karita Mattila, William Burden, and Scott Quinn. The production was directed by Oliver Tambosi with Jiří Bĕlohlávek conducting.
