This week marks the opening of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and with it, a new production of “La Damnation de Faust.” Headlining the cast will be burgeoning tenor Pavel Černoch. The tenor, just 43, hails from the Czech Republic and had his first big break when he debuted at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich in 2009 as Števa {…}
Sesto Bruscantini was a consummate shapeshifter as an opera singer. Born on Dec. 10, 1919, Bruscantini enjoyed a lengthy 45-year career filled with performances at some of the most famous houses on the globe including La Scala, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Rome Opera, Metropolitan Opera, Glyndebourne, the Vienna State Opera, and Salzburg Festival, among others. He was a unique breed {…}
Elizabeth Schwarzkopf is undeniably one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Born on Dec. 9, 1915, the German soprano was best known for her work in German repertoire, becoming one of the greatest Richard Strauss interpreters of all time. She dominated the operas of Mozart and even made herself as a notable Wagnerian. She won a plethora of {…}
We all know “Cavalleria Rusticana,” the great masterpiece of Pietro Mascagni, who was born on Dec. 7, 1863. Unfortunately, that’s all most people in the opera world and outside of it, know about the Italian composer. It’s actually quite unfortunate, given that “Cavalleria” was his very first opera and that he would go on to write 15 total, his final {…}
One year ago today, Francisco and I launched this project entitled OperaWire. It had been many months in the making, the result of much planning and investigation. It was a risk, as many people let us know, emphasizing the fact that a regular newsite dedicated fully to opera didn’t exist. “There’s probably a reason for that,” one person told us. {…}
Over the past few years Yusif Eyvazov’s star has been in ascension. Since his breakout in 2014, when he performed “Manon Lescaut” with Anna Netrebko at the Teatro dell’opera di Roma, the tenor has debuted in many of the greatest theaters. However, this week he will headline his biggest assignment yet. Eyvazov will open the Teatro Alla Scala 2017-18 season {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features Jonathan Demme’s “Philadelphia.” {…}
Donizetti is one of the fathers of Bel Canto, having written over 70 operas, his first work coming at the age of 19. Born on Nov. 29, 1797, the composer has become well-known for such operas as “L’Elisir d’Amore,” “Don Pasquale,” “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “Lucrezia Borgia,” as well as the Tudor trilogy, which has been revived by many of the great {…}
Daniel Brenna is one of the best-known heldentenors of his generation, singing across the world in many of the greatest theaters. His repertoire is immense and he is one of the few tenors right now regularly performing the role of Siegfried. And this week, he brings an original version of this interpretation in Vienna. Brenna will sing The Ring Trilogy {…}
