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 {…}
This week the Santa Fe Opera is set to present its 16th world premiere. The company, which has been an advocate for new opera, will present the fifth opera by Poul Ruders, “The Thirteenth Child.” The work, which tells the story of a paranoid king who banishes his 12 sons in favor of Lyra, the thirteenth child. But when Princess Lyra {…}
(Credit: Opera National de Paris) What do you do when you have sung the title roles of “Madama Butterfly,” “Il Tabarro,” “Suor Angelica,” “Manon Lescaut” “Turandot,” and “Tosca,” six of the most challenging and iconic Puccini roles? You take on a lighter and popular work; “La Bohème.” After having sung these challenging roles, Hui He will make her role debut {…}
The role of Carmen is one of the most iconic in the repertoire. It’s a role that most mezzos dream of performing for its famous arias and its complex heroine. This week mezzo-soprano Raffaella Lupinacci sings the title role for the first time in her career. Lupinacci will bring her first interpretation of the title role to the prestigious Luglio {…}
(Credit: James Gill) Elizabeth Caballero has slowly built up her international presence to great acclaim in an array of roles, across international and regional houses. Now she brings her “radiant voice” to the legendary Palacio de Bellas Artes for the first time in a highly anticipated role debut. For her house debut, Caballero is set to add the role of {…}