This week, the Grand Théâtre de Genève will open a new production of Donizetti’s “Maria Stuarda” featuring some of the best Bel Canto performers in the industry. Among the headliners will be tenor Edgardo Rocha in his role debut as Roberto. Rocha is considered one of today’s foremost interpreters of bel canto repertoire which he has performed around the world. {…}
It’s that time of the year. A time when we can look forward to what’s to come, but also a moment to reflect on all we’ve experienced. And as has become the tradition here at OperaWire, we have asked our writers to select their choices for the opera performances that truly marveled them in 2022. So without further ado, we’ll {…}
This week, the Houston Grand Opera is set to revive Javier Martínez and Leonard Foglia’s “El Milagro del Recuerdo,” celebrating the holiday season. It’s a work that world premiered in 2019 to critical acclaim and sold-out shows. For this revival, the production will see the return of some of the original cast members including Cecilia Duarte. Duarte originated the role {…}
After two years of lockdowns, cancelations, and COVID, 2022 seemed like it would be an easier year. But alas it wasn’t as the world was struck with a war, human rights violations that were met with worldwide protests, and governments that threatened to rewind time and take away rights. There were also major cuts in funding for opera that has {…}
This week the Arizona Opera is set to open its season with Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos” featuring two stellar casts including Leah Hawkins, one of the most promising young singers of her generation. The soprano, who hails from Philadelphia, is set to have one of her most exciting seasons yet featuring numerous role debuts and house debuts. With Ariadne, Hawkins {…}
This week, the Donizetti Opera Festival opens its 2022 season featuring three operas including “Chiara e Serafina,” a rarely performed work and one that flopped at its premiere in 1822. However, for its 200th anniversary the Donizetti is bringing the work back with a young cast and veteran buffo bass-baritone Pietro Spagnoli. For the past years, Spagnoli has been in {…}
A week ago Serena Sáenz made headlines when she won second place at the Operalia Competition. Following numerous other competitions over the years, the soprano finally had her major breakout and is likely set for a major career. That career will get a significant boost this week when she makes her Wiener Staatsoper debut in a production of “Ariadne auf {…}
November at the Metropolitan Opera will showcase three new operas productions. Audiences will see “Don Carlo” starring tenor Russell Thomas, “Rigoletto,” and the world premiere production of “The Hours” starring Renee Fleming and Joyce DiDonato. In the third article of the series, we will look at two of those operas and their corresponding silver screen adaptations. The Hours Modern operas {…}
Russell Thomas is one of today’s great Verdi tenors. He has performed all over the world in some of the composer’s most difficult roles, garnering great acclaim. This week he returns to the Metropolitan Opera for his first headliner. Thomas made his debut at the Met in 2005 as the Heralder in “Don Carlo” and has since performed supporting roles {…}
