What happens when you mix incredible beauty with a knack for theatrical allure, a stellar work ethic, as well as a drive to succeed? Of course, you produce someone who’s situation can never get the best of them. Within the annals of operatic history are many figures for whom their upbringing did not promise them anything that was afforded them {…}
(PC: Met Opera/ Marty Sohl) Happy April Fools from us at Opera Wire. This year, let’s take a look at what makes the crazy character Papageno from Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ so captivating. What makes us love him? And why do we root for him? Who is Papageno? This beloved bird man, who is scared by everything but courageous when {…}
On March 17th, 1665, French composer and masterful harpsichordist Élisabeth Claude Jacquet de La Guerre was born to a highly musical family in Paris. She is best known for her many instrumental works, including her sonatas and suites, although her many vocal works, including songs, cantatas, and even operas, gave her name prestige. Elisabeth’s name, however, is cemented in operatic {…}
Photo: ShoutPR (Shout Factory) This review was written jointly by Chris and Finn Ruel. Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” directed by Florian Sigl, hit the silver screen nationwide on Mar. 10, 2023. It’s a fantasy film that captures the essence of Mozart’s stunning operatic fairy tale and does it well. There is much to commend about Sigl’s film. It’s well put {…}
Throughout time, women have routinely been at the bad end of the deal when it came to composing, performing, or really anything that has to do with music. However, as we now know, that didn’t mean women composers, performers, critics, and everything in between didn’t exist. Actually, the opposite! Composers like Hildegard von Bingen, Barbara Strozzi, Clara Schumann, and Amy {…}
This past week the Teatro alla Scala opened a revival of Puccini’s “La Bohème.” The production stars a cast of well-known singers and is also making history with one of its stars as Irina Lungu will become the first singer to perform both Musetta and Mimì in the same season at the legendary Italian opera house. The soprano will first {…}
This week the Washington Concert Opera is set to conclude its 2022-23 season with Verdi’s “Nabucco” featuring a cast of rising stars and established singers. Leading the team will be established baritone Lester Lynch. The baritone will be adding another Verdi role to his repertoire after having appeared in such works as “Il Trovatore,” “Rigoletto,” “La Traviata,” and “Aida.” In {…}
Over time, enough foods, wines, and spirits have been themed to “Lohengrin” that all gathered together; they could well be presented during that opera’s opulent wedding feast. The Alsatian producer Victor Hertz, for example, offers a Cuvée Lohengrin, a pinot gris. In 2012, when La Scala opened with a Claus Guth production of “Lohengrin” starring Jonas Kaufmann, Milan’s late, great {…}
Peter Sellars warned the crowd gathered in the Rubin Museum on a recent Friday night that the film would be long. “It’s only an hour and fifteen minutes,” he said. “But the beginning feels like several lifetimes.” At first, the caution was unnecessary. “this body is so impermanent,” a new film Sellars directed at the height of the pandemic, explores {…}
