“Lucrezia Borgia” is one of the most challenging soprano roles of the Bel Canto repertoire. It is a part that sopranos relish to sing due to the complexity of the character and the flashiness of the music. So when a new soprano takes on the part for the first time, it is always exciting to wonder how that singer will {…}
(Credit: Robert Workman) In 2016 a young dramatic soprano won the Zarzuela Division and Second Prize at the Operalia Competition launching her international career and making her one of the most promising dramatic sopranos of her generations. A year before that the soprano had won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions as well as the Gerda Lissner Foundation, and the {…}
(Credit: Leo Nucci/Facebook) As the decade ends, 2020 begins and that means new works and new chapters. The same could be said of Leo Nucci, who reportedly stepped away from the stage saying goodbye to his iconic Rigoletto. However, before the year ends the legendary baritone is adding another role to his repertoire in a piece that will celebrate Beethoven’s {…}
(Credit: Karli Cadel) Over the past two season Steven LaBrie’s star has risen. He had breakouts with the New Amsterdam Opera and Teatro Nuovo and made major role debuts as well as house debuts with some of the United States’ major regional theaters including the San Diego Opera, Tulsa Opera, and Florida Grand Opera. This week LaBrie makes his long {…}
(Credit: LA Opera) Since winning Operalia, soprano Adela Zaharia has emerged as one of the major rising stars in the opera world. Zaharia has made major debuts in some of the world’s greatest opera houses including the Bayerische Staatsoper and LA Opera and has added a number of major role debuts. She has also become a frequent exponent of the {…}
(Credit: Curtis Brown) “Halka” is as one of the masterpieces in the Polish operatic repertory and is frequently performed in its country of origin. In recent times the opera has garnered greater international attention with showcases at Carnegie Hall, Bard Music Festival, and the Bel Canto Opera. This week, “Halka” will get a new production at the Theater an der {…}
(Credit:(c) Wiener Staatsoper / Michael Poehn) On Dec. 8, 2019 the Wiener Staatsoper will make history performing “Orlando.” The work was composed by Olga Neuwirth, the first woman to be commissioned to compose an opera for the theater in over 150 years. Based on Virginia Woolf’s novel of the same name, the work will feature an international cast including celebrated {…}
(Credit: Ray Burmiston / Decca Classics) There are few debuts at the Metropolitan Opera House in 2019-20 as hotly anticipated as that of soprano Lise Davidsen. Called a “voice in a million,” and a “Once in generation Wagnerian” by Opera Now, the Norwegian diva is renowned for her work in more dramatic repertory, including the works of Wagner and Strauss. {…}
(Credit: Elena Cherkashyna) Tenor Xabier Anduaga has been around for a couple of years singing throughout Europe. But this past summer, he announced himself to the opera world at large when he became the winner of Operalia. Now he will further cement his position as he makes his return to the Donizetti Festival with “Lucrezia Borgia,” in his role debut {…}
(Credit: Frédérick Desmesure) Elza van den Heever is one of the most dynamic sopranos of her generation. Her repertoire spans several periods from baroque to Mozart and Bel Canto as well as Wagner, Strauss, and Verdi. She is an acclaimed actress and is especially hailed for her sparkling high notes. Throughout her her 2019-20 season the soprano will showcase three {…}
(Credit: LA Opera) This week the Metropolitan Opera will present the New York premiere of Philip Glass’ “Akhnaten,” the third Glass opera in the company’s repertoire. Among those appearing in the hotly anticipated Met premiere is rising mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges. Bridges has become one of the most important exponents of contemporary music, being featured in prominent productions of “Satyagraha” and {…}
