(Credits: Brescia e Amisano) ‘The error in the art-genre of Opera consists herein – a Means of expression (Music) has been made the objective, while the End of expression (the Drama) has been made a means.’ – Richard Wagner “Opera and Drama” (1851) Words and Tones, A Drama Must Make Wagner is difficult, though he attempted, through a lifetime {…}
Released in 2008, Canadian director Kevin Sullivan’s reimagining of “The Magic Flute” in his film, “Magic Flute Diaries,” was a profound statement on the way operatic narratives could be fused into the real world through a cross-relationship of experience, emotion, and feeling. Starring Canadian soprano Mireille Asselin as Masha/Pamina and baritone Olivier Laquerre as Papageno, the film continued the trend {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond / Met Opera) This week, the Metropolitan Opera is set to present Jake Heggie’s “Moby Dick” for the first time in the company’s history. It is being headlined by Brandon Jovanovich, who is taking on the role of Captain Ahab. Jovanovich is no stranger to the work as he covered the role of Ahab during its world {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera) It’s that time of the year. I am of course referring to the period when opera fans around the world start checking their calendars as they prepare for what they will be checking out in the upcoming season. Always an event unto itself is the Metropolitan Opera’s new season announcement, always full of interesting storylines, surprises, {…}
This week, the Teatro San Carlo will open a new production of “Roméo et Juliette” with a starry cast including Nadine Sierra and Javier Camarena. The production was first performed at the Bilbao Opera and received rave reviews. Now it is heading to Napoli and its director, Giorgia Guerra will make her Teatro San Carlo debut. In preparation for her {…}
(Credit: © WILLIAM STRUHS/Spoleto Festival USA) Barber’s “Vanessa” is a work rarely heard. That is why when the occasion to hear the work comes, audiences run to see it. It doesn’t hurt if it has a great cast. This week the National Symphony Orchestra is bringing the work to audiences with a stellar cast that includes Nicole Heaston in the {…}
What happens when a rather questionable story where good intentions end up futile in the face of capricious behavior is re-conceptualized? “The Opera!” by directors Paolo Gep Cucco and Davide Livermore. It is a strange sort of film where the two central characters are played by opera singers (Orpheus, Valentino Buzza and Eurydice, Mariam Battistelli) who seem woefully under-prepared to {…}
This week the Teartro di Parma opens its 2025 season with a production of “Giovanna d’Arco” one of Verdi’s rarely performed works. The production will showcase two famed Verdi singers and one debutante. Mongolian baritone Ariunbaatar Ganbaatar will make his debut at the Teatro di Parma in the role of Giacomo. The production will mark his Italian debut. Over the {…}
What is life if it’s not lived? Maria, “La Divina,” Callas lived a life which could fill 100 and yet, she kept going until her form could no longer sustain itself under the gravitas of her vitality. Having starred in her only film, “Medea“ (1969), producing some of the most important masterclass recordings of operatic history at Juilliard in New York {…}
