We all know Disney’s rendition of “The Little Mermaid,” and are familiar with its transformation of Hans Christian Anderson’s oft-disturbing 1837 fairy tale into a heartwarming, family-friendly story of love and adventure. The original narrative is far more Wagnerian than Mozartian in dramatic tenor, due to Anderson’s synthesis of intense pathos with virtuous rebirth. In the Disney version, Ariel—who is {…}
On April 10, the Opernhaus Zürich will revive its acclaimed production of Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” The production will feature veteran performers and some of the most acclaimed interpreters of the opera. However, there will be a newcomer to the opera, Sandra Hamaoui. The French-American soprano will make her role debut as Gilda following her successful turn as Constance in a new {…}
On April 2, the Metropolitan Opera will revive a production of “Le Nozze di Figaro” with a new cast featuring some of the world’s greatest Mozartians and some rising stars. Among the rising stars set to grace the Met stage is Ying Fang who will sing her first Susanna on the Met stage. Having made her Met debut in 2013, {…}
The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma is set to present a new production of “Turandot” featuring one of the greatest contemporary artists in the world, a renowned conductor, and a cast of up and coming singers and all-stars. The production will also see the role debut of one of opera’s brightest stars. Michael Fabiano will sing his first Calaf, a role {…}
This weekend Kevin Puts and Grieg Pierce’s “The Hours” will make its world premiere. The work is one of the most anticipated operas of the year as it is based on the popular Michael Cunningham novel, which was later turned into an Oscar-winning film. Now three divas will get the chance to shine in three iconic roles with the Philadelphia {…}
Annalisa Stroppa is in the prime of her career performing on the great stages in the opera world and singing a diverse repertoire that spans Verdi, Donizetti, Bizet, Offenbach, Puccini, and Bellini. This week she returns to one of her signature roles in Bellini’s “Norma.” The mezzo, who has become a specialist in the Bel Canto repertoire, has championed the {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) On Feb. 28 the Metropolitan Opera will premiere the French version of Verdi’s “Don Carlos.” Over the course of the Met’s history, the company has presented the Verdi masterwork 217 times in various different iterations. This year the Met has lined up a star cast that includes Matthew Polenzani, one of the great tenors {…}
We are going to switch things up this week with a new format to the puzzle. In lieu of our usual, complete the name, we are going to ask you to find the last name of the artist referenced in the clue. So get out your history books and brush up on your “Ariadne auf Naxos” interpreters because this puzzle {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard Metropolitan Opera) “Page to Opera Stage” looks at stories – real-life or fiction, old and new – that have inspired operas, and the ways these narratives have been edited and dramatised to fit a new medium. This month, we head to the 20th and 21st century with Winston Graham’s quasi-Freudian psychological thriller “Marnie”, adapted into an opera {…}
