(Credit: Christian Leiber/ ONP) This week the Metropolitan Opera is set to open its classic production of “Madama Butterfly” with some of the opera’s greatest interpreters and some Met favorites. And with the cast comes a new Met star, Piero Pretti. Pretti, who has established himself throughout Europe since his 2006 professional debut, will make his Met debut in his signature {…}
(Credit: Virginia Opera) Tosca is the ultimate diva role. It’s the role most sopranos dream of singing because of its demands both as a singer and actress. This week the Virginia Opera will see rising star Ewa Plonka make her company debut in her very first “Tosca” performances. Plonka, a prize winner of such prestigious competitions as the Marcello Giordani {…}
(Credit: Karli Cadel) This week, the Metropolitan Opera will open its 2019-20 season with a new production of “Porgy and Bess.” The acclaimed production by James Robinson is set to feature an all-star cast as well as some rising stars and Met debutants. Among the newcomers is Frederick Ballentine, who will perform the role of Sportin’ Life in his Met {…}
(Credit: Robert Workman) Don Carlo is one of Verdi’s most complex works and one that the composer never quite resolved. There are so many versions performed to this day and editions that include unperformed music. However the work continues to be sought after due to its juicy and complex characters. The title role in particular is one that most tenors {…}
This week, the Maggio Musicale is set to open its 2019’20 season with an intriguing double bill. The two operas set to be presented will include Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” and the world premiere of Riccardo Panfili’s ‘”Noi, due, quattro…” with two very respected artists. But it is Panfili’s opera which will showcase two rising stars in the opera world. Paolo Antognetti {…}
(Credit: Bernd Uhlig) Elsa Dreisig is one of the bright stars of the opera world slowly building an international career. At the young age of 28, the soprano has already conquered the Berlin State Opera, the Zurich Opera, and the Opéra de Paris; she is set to make her Royal Opera House debut this season. As an ensemble member of {…}
The Ring Cycle is one of the biggest operatic undertakings in the operatic repertoire. It’s always a special event especially when it is being shown in a new production. It’s a chance for a conductor and director to reinterpret the gigantic tetralogy and an opportunity for audiences to see something new from the work. Such a mammoth undertaking also allows {…}
(Credit: Juan Diego Castillo) Few Colombian singers have reached the heights of bass-baritone Valeriano Lanchas. The Bogotá-born singer competed and won four international competitions including the Pavarotti International Voice Competition in 1995, Operalia in 2001, Licia Albanese-Puccini Fundation of New York 2001, and the Toto Dal Monte in Treviso, Italy in 2004. Since then his career grew and he has become {…}
(Credit: Kathryn Lewek Official Facebook) Kathryn Lewek is the reigning Queen of the Night. She has performed the role in every major theater including the Metropolitan Opera, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Bregenzer Festspiele, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington National Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, Teatro Real in Madrid, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Festival Castell de Peralada, Opera Leipzig, Opera de Toulon, English {…}
(Credit: Brinkhoff/Mogenburg) Enescu’s “Œdipe” is a rarely performed work that premiered in 1936 and has since has made limited appearances around the world. It’s a work that depends on the dramatic powers of its lead baritone and one that many consider a challenge. This week, the Salzburg Festival is set to present the opera in a new production with Christopher {…}
(Credit: Daniil Rabovsky) Cherubini’s “Medée” has never been a major repertory staple. After all the work requires a star soprano who can bring the drama to life not only through fearless singing, but equally potent acting. Maria Callas, for many, is the last truly iconic interpreter of the title role. For the new production by Simon Stone, the Salzburg Festival has {…}
