Films based on opera often feel inadequate. They are frequently an attempt to introduce reality into art, and this concept is flawed. Directors fail to realize that what it should be is the other way around: bringing art into reality, making opera about human beings and their everyday trials. Luckily, some directors do know what they’re doing, and Italian director {…}
On Jan. 27, the Teatro de la Zarzuela is set to present Bretón’s “La Dolores” for the first time since 1937. The production will also mark 100 years since the composer’s death and will feature an international cast led by Saioa Hernández. For Hérnandez, La Dolores will mark a role debut and a return to Spanish opera, which she has {…}
This week the Seattle Opera will present Camille Saint-Saens’ “Samson et Dalila” for the first time since 1965. The opera, which will be presented in concert performance, will see two of the brightest in the opera world making debuts. Korean tenor Yonghoon Lee is one of the stars that will take on the title role of Samson. Lee will not {…}
Happy 2023! With the arrival of the new year, the Wiener Staatsoper will continue to celebrate with a revival of Rossini’s masterful comedy “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.” The production will feature a mix of veteran performers and rising stars, including Alasdair Kent, who will make his company debut as he continues his rise in the opera world. Kent will sing {…}
On December 31st, 1990, acclaimed Australian dramatic soprano Dame Joan Sutherland would give her last stage appearance, marking the end of a 40+ year, international career which brought her to audiences around the world, changing lives and minds everywhere she went. Singing in a gala performance of several operatic excerpts including Die Fledermaus’ Act 2 at the Royal Opera House {…}
On December 31, David McVicar’s new production of Umberto Giordano’s “Fedora” opens at the Metropolitan Opera. The controversial work has not been performed there complete in 25 years. Yet, many alluring facets of “Fedora” make the opera a most inspired New Year’s Eve choice. The second act’s opening party sequence, for instance, includes a grand waltz danced in Fedora‘s lavish Paris {…}
As the year winds down, the Teatro Verdi Salerno will open a production of Puccini’s “Turandot” to conclude the 2022 season. The production will include formidable interpreters of the work and will also feature a highly anticipated role debut. Lianna Haroutounian will make her role debut as Liu after singing many of the great Puccini heroines in the repertory. To {…}
(Photo Credit: Christian Dageförde) Dating as far back as the 17th century, vocal works about Christmas and themes about the Holy Nativity (i.e., the birth of Jesus Christ) and the events surrounding the pilgrimage of the shepherds, angels, and wise men have been created in quick succession. Everyone from Italian composer Carlo Francesco Cesarini, Russian composer P. I. Tchaikovsky, German {…}
(Photo Credit: Chris Lee) December 11, 2022, saw acclaimed mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato return to Carnegie Hall for a series of master classes with five emerging artists. Over the following three days, DiDonato and students worked on a variety of musical and dramatic techniques catered to each artist’s particular strengths and current place in their career, giving the audience an intimate {…}
