(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 {…}
(Credit: Javier Del Rey) Pablo García-López is one of today’s rising stars in the opera world. Throughout the past few years the Spanish tenor has performed with some of the most prestigious Spanish theaters in the world and has made some appearances internationally that have brought him acclaim. He has also specialized in the work of Mozart and has worked {…}
Over the years, Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak has been moving into more dramatic and lyrical roles. After starting her career singing coloratura and Bel Canto roles like “Lucia di Lammoor” and the roles of Rossini, the soprano has continued to expand her repertoire, engaging with more Puccini and Verdi operas, among other heavier repertory. After taking on the role of {…}
(Credit: © 国家大剧院National Centre for the Performing Arts Davinia Rodríguez is one of Spain’s most acclaimed and beloved sopranos. She has sung in every major Spanish theater and around the world and has performed a range of repertoire that stretches from the great Bel Canto operas to the dramatic early Verdi roles, including her acclaimed Lady Macbeth. This week Rodríguez {…}
(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 {…}