Tchaikosvky’s “Eugene Onegin” is considered one of the composer’s greatest operas as it features some of his richest melodies and is based on Pushkin’s famous poem. The work has been performed extensively around the world and this year it makes a return to the Metropolitan Opera. While the title role has been a vehicle for many renowned baritones it is {…}
Samuel Ramey is recognized as one of the most important American basses for his extensive vocal range and repertoire. He was admired for his stage presence and commitment to each role. He was also admired for reviving the Rossini repertoire and performing numerous operas from the Bel Canto repertoire. However, there are three works that he brought to the fore {…}
Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena” returns to the stage of the Teatro alla Scala after an absence of 35 years and with it comes a new leading lady, Hibla Gerzmava. Gerzmava, who has become an international star, is making a role debut in one of Bel Canto most demanding operas. Gerzmava has sung many Bel Canto roles by Donizetti including “Lucia di Lammermoor” {…}
Mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick is synonymous with Verdi. She’s been the leading Azucena at the Metropolitan Opera house over the last few years, singing the role a whopping 58 times since her debut on October 8, 1988, also in that very role. In Verdi’s “Aida,” she has performed the role of Amneris 80 times at the house. Throw in 17 performances {…}
The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its 2017-18 season and with it, there are numerous exciting stars that will be performing in varying repertoire. This season, which includes 35 operas, will definitely present some gems that should be highlighted. The following are six artists that should not be missed when they perform. Joseph Calleja – L’Arlesiana Calleja began his career {…}
We all know about “Boris Godunov.” Mussorgsky’s opera is one of the towering achievements of the operatic art form, even if there are continued concerns over which performance practice to adhere to. But Mussorgsky’s operatic output did not start and end with “Boris Godunov.” Nor was that the only one of his operas to face massive treatment in other hands. {…}
Danish tenor Lauritz Melchior was the quintessential Wagner tenor while Beniamino Gigli was one of the most beloved Italian tenors that history has ever seen. Both were born on the same day – March 20, 1890. While they both made their professional debuts one year apart, the Dane’s came in 1913 while the Italian’s a year late in 1914, they {…}
Donizetti’s “Maria Stuarda” is one of the prima donna assoluta roles in the repertoire and one of the most difficult in Bel Canto. This week Marina Rebeka continues her exploration into this repertoire as she makes her stage role of the opera debut at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. Earlier in January, the soprano made her role debut in a {…}
Violin fantasies based on major operas was a major trend back in the 1800s with such virtuoso violinists like Sarasate, Paganini, Vieuxtemps and Wieniawski looking for vehicles that could showcase their skills. Of these fantasies, Sarasate’s adaptation of “Carmen” is perhaps the best-known of the lot with a 20th-century version by Franz Waxman following suit. But no opera has been {…}
