Bryn Terfel, Ailyn Pérez, Juan Diego Flórez, Lisette Oropesa, Elīna Garanča, Roberto Alagna Headline Top 10 Operas to Stream This Week

By David Salazar

Get ready for another exciting and unique week of operatic experiences. From streams of some of the greatest repertory staples to arguably the biggest online gala experience of 2020 and a reimaging of a holiday classic, this week’s streaming options are sure to please all kinds of opera fans around the world.

Falstaff – Bayerische Staatsoper (NOW)

For those seeking out a good old laugh, there is simply no better option than Verdi’s timeless masterpiece. To top it all off, this production in Munich features a star-studded cast including Wolfgang Koch in the title role alongside Ailyn Pérez as Alice Ford, Boris Pinkhasovich as Ford, Judit Kutasi as Mrs. Quickly, Elena Tsallagova as Nanetta, Daria Proszek as Meg Page, Galeano Salas as Fenton, Kevin Conners as Dr. Cajus, and Callum Thorpe as Pistola.

Watch it here.

Songs of the Season – Santa Fe Opera (NOW)

Tenor Joshua Dennis, mezzo-soprano Briana Elyse Hunter, Robert Tweten, and the Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera headline this special digital concert which features a number of classics including “Count Your Blessings” by Irving Berlin as well as Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma;” there will also be arrangements of standard holiday classics by Ricky Ian Gordon and Harold Arlen as well as a bevy of new works by such composers as Morten Lauridsen, Undine Smith Moore, and Stephen Paulus.

Watch it here.

A Riveder Le Stelle – Teatro alla Scala (Dec. 7)

Due to COVID-19, La Scala couldn’t proceed with its usual Dec. 7 production launch. But that’s not stopping the organization from making an event out of the famed date. Instead, the company will put on an epic gala featuring opera’s greatest stars including Ildar Abdrazakov, Roberto Alagna, Carlos Álvarez, Piotr Beczala, Benjamin Bernheim, Eleonora Buratto, Marianne Crebassa, Plácido Domingo, Rosa Feola, Juan Diego Flórez, Elīna Garanča, Vittorio Grigolo, Aleksandra Kurzak, Francesco Meli, Camilla Nylund, Kristine Opolais, Lisette Oropesa, George Petean, Marina Rebeka, Luca Salsi, Andreas Schager, Ludovic Tézier, and Sonya Yoncheva. Riccardo Chailly conducts.

Watch it here.

Owen Wingrave – Grange Park Opera, Surrey (Dec. 9)

Grange Park Opera, Surrey will present a filmed production of Britten’s work. The film, which was shot throughout Surrey and London features Ross Ramgobin as Owen with his aunt portrayed by Susan Bullock. Other cast members include Richard Berkeley Steele, William Dazeley, Janis Kelley, James Way, Madeleine Pierard, Kitty Whately, and Richard Berkeley Steele.

Watch it here.

Soldier Songs – Pittsburgh Opera (Dec. 11)

Those seeking out a unique new chamber opera will find no better option this week than David T. Little’s increasingly beloved “Soldier Songs.” The work stars Yazid Gray and “combines elements of theater, opera, rock-infused-concert music, and animation to explore the perceptions versus the realities of the Soldier, the loss and exploitation of innocence, and the difficulty of expressing the truth of war.”

Watch it here.

Online Gala – National Student Opera Society (Dec. 11)

The National Student Opera Society will present its first-ever online gala featuring a number of major opera artists including James Platt, Janis Kelly, Austin Gunn, Nicky Spence, Amanda Majeski, John Savournin, and Daniella Sicari. All proceeds from the event will support the organization’s efforts to provide opera learning experiences to communities around the world.

Watch it here.

Bryn Terfel Live in Concert – Metropolitan Opera (Dec. 12)

The Metropolitan Opera’s series returns for the first time since late October, this time showcasing a performance by Bryn Terfel in time for the holidays. The program will feature traditional holiday favorites such as “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” and “O Come All Ye Faithful,” among many other seasonal hits. Terfel will be joined by two rising Welsh singers, soprano Natalya Romaniw and tenor Trystan Llŷr Griffiths, as well as by harpist Hannah Stone, pianist Jeff Howard, and the Welsh traditional folk group Calan.

Watch it here.

Cinderella – Northern Opera Group (Dec. 12)

Get ready for a unique video experience of Pauline Viardot’s famed work. The film was shot in the medieval grounds of Calverley Old Hall, and Temple Newsam, the filming location for ITV’s “Victoria.” It was directed by Sophie Gilpin and features conductor Chris Pelly and the Northern Opera Group. Claire Wild takes on the title role.
Watch it here.

Werther – Teatro Sociale di Como / ASLICO (Dec. 13)

For those seeking out a repertory staple, the Teatro Sociale di Como’s production of “Werther” is just the experience for you. To top it off, this production stars winners of the 71st AsLiCo Singing Competition in 2020, giving viewers an opportunity to experience some unique new talent.
Watch it here.

Handel Messiah / Complex – Against the Grain Theatre (Dec. 13)

Against the Grain Theatre will present a reimagining of Handel’s famed piece in partnership with Toronto Symphony Orchestra and will be co-directed by Joel Ivany, Founding Director of Against the Grain, and Reneltta Arluk, Director of Indigenous Arts at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. The showcase will include multilanguage translations, including Dene, Inuktitut, Souther Tutchone, Arabic, and French.

Among the performers are Jonathon Adams (AB), Looee Arreak (NU), Jully Black (ON), Spencer Britten (BC), Rihab Chaieb (QC), Deantha Edmunds (NL), Leela Gilday (NT), Miriam Khalil (ON), Andrea Lett (SK), Diyet van Lieshout (YT), Julie Lumsden (MB) and Elliot Madore (ON); featured choirs include Le Choeur Louisbourg (NB), the Halifax Camerata Singers (NS), the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (ON), and the University of Prince Edward Island Chamber Chorus (PEI).

Watch it here.

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