Anna Netrebko, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Sonya Yoncheva, Christine Goerke, Maya Kherani, Norman Garrett Headline Top Operas to Stream This Week
By David SalazarAs the summer moves along, there seems to be a transitional phase taking place with newer streams becoming increasingly less frequent as opera companies gear up for a full return to live performances in the fall. But we’re still here with another series opera performance we think you should check out!
So without further ado, here we go.
Upload – Medici.tv / Dutch National Opera (NOW)
“What if our minds could live forever—if advances in artificial intelligence and neuroscience offered us a way to transfer our memories and experiences into a sustainable digital consciousness?” and “What are the limits of human memory, and what happens when we are unable to forget? Where do our identities really reside—in our minds, our bodies, our relationships? And how far do the raw data of our lives determine our fate?”
These are the complex questions asked of the audience in “Upload,” which is being presented in a film version from the Dutch National Opera. The work stars Roderick Williams as Father and Julia Bullock as Daughter. It also includes actors Katja Herbers (Psychiatrist), Ashley Zukerman (CEO), Esther Mugambi (Scientist), and Claron McFadden (Childhood friend). Michel van der Aa composed, written, and directed the work with the Ensemble MusikFabrik conducted by Otto Tausk.
Siberia – CueTV / Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (NOW)
Those seeking out some star power combined with a unique and rarely-performed opera will find the perfect marriage in this Verismo work, which is headlined by Sonya Yoncheva. Gianandrea Noseda conducts a cast that includes Giorgi Sturua, George Petean, Caterina Piva, and Giorgio Misseri.
MIXTAPE – Festival Opera (NOW)
Festival Opera has been offering up unique recital experiences that blend genres and art forms. In this performance, audiences will hear music by Meyerbeer, Libby Larsen, Strauss, Florence Price, and Strayhorn, as performed by Nikola Printz and Bryan Nies.
Opera in the Heights: Opera Stars in Concert – Opera Modesto (NOW)
Soprano Maya Kherani and trapeze artist Nikola Printz star in another unique recital experience full of wide-ranging works courtesy of Opera Modest.
Ritorno di Ulisse in Patria – CueTV (July 21)
For those seeking out some baroque music, then why not Monteverdi and this early masterpiece. Presented in a production by Robert Carsen, the opera stars Charles Workman, Anicio Zorzi Giustiniani, Delphine Galou, John Daszak, Francesco Milanese, Marina De Liso, Eleonora Bellocci, Gianluca Margheri, Guido Loconsolo, Arianna Vendittelli, Konstantin Derri, Andrea Patucelli, Pierre-Antoine Chaumien, James Hall, and Miriam Albano. Ottavio Dantone conducts the opera which OperaWire called, “A Masterful Production.”
Spring Street – The American Opera Project (July 24)
For those seeking out something completely out of the norm, then check out “Spring Street,” which is billed as a “wildly eclectic opera film with musical styles from Baroque to 80’s disco.” The opera stars soprano Joy Tamayo, mezzo-soprano Maren Montalbano, and bass-baritone Heday Inoue. The video was created by film director Matt Gray. The opera was recorded at Eastside Sound in New York City.
Il Trovatore – Metropolitan Opera (July 24)
This is it for the Metropolitan Opera’s weekly streams. After 71 weeks, the company, which is confident in reopening its new season on time, has called it a day on its daily streams. So for our final recommendation in this series, we’re going with “Il Trovatore” starring Anna Netrebko, Dolora Zajick, Yonghoon Lee, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, conducted by Marco Armiliato. Everyone is stellar in this 2015 performance, with Hvorostovsky, in his final Met role, particularly iconic.
Elektra – San Francisco Opera (July 24-25)
Closing out the weekend is Christine Goerke in one of her iconic roles, this time as Strauss’ complex heroine. She is joined in this 2017 production by Adrianne Pieczonka, Michaela Martens, Alfred Walker, and Robert Brubaker. Henrik Nánási conducts.
Le Roi Arthur – Bard Summerscape (July 25)
Bard Summerscape is bringing the rarely performed Chausson opera to audiences next weekend. The production will star Sasha Cooke and Norman Garrett and is definitely one of the most exciting opera experiences of this summer.
