On Sept. 25, 2017, the Metropolitan Opera opens its 2017-18 with one of the most famous diva showcases in opera, “Norma.” Sondra Radvanovsky will repeat her acclaimed portrayal she first brought to the Met in 2013 alongside an all-star cast that includes Joseph Calleja and Joyce DiDonato. The opera marks the third Bel Canto work to open the Met Opera {…}
Andrea Bocelli, born on Sept. 22, 1958, is one of the most famous tenors in the world, his fan base rivaling and quite possibly surpassing that of some of opera’s greatest artists. To put it succinctly, he has known how to balance the fine line between classical and popular music. Because of Bocelli’s blindness, a challenge that he has had {…}
Alessandro Corbelli is one of the great baritones of the modern era, his refined bass style ideal for many of the comic roles that he has been so well-known for. Born on Sept. 21, 1952, the bass has become one of the great “Don Pasquale,” Dulcamara, and “Gianni Schicchi” interpreters of recent times. But what makes his an incredible artist {…}
It is Hispanic Heritage month! The Latin American community has, particularly in recent years, been a major boon to the opera world, providing it with great singers and composers, and a number of great operas. As the first part of this weekly series, we look at some of the most popular Hispanic operas ever written. We are not looking at {…}
This Saturday, the Lyric Opera of Chicago opens its 2017-18 season with Gluck’s famed “Orphée et Eurydice.” At the center of this drama of lost love will be tenor Dmitry Korchak, who will be taking on the title role of Orphée in his LYOC debut. Joining him will be Ryan Opera Center alumna Andrana Chuchmann as his lover Eurydice. Korchak {…}
Anna Netrebko is arguably the most famous opera singer currently performing on the opera stage. Born on Sept. 18, 1971, Netrebko has broken many records as she has topped the pop charts in Germany and was the first opera singer to be on the Time’s 100 most influential people. She became the first soprano to headline three opening nights at the Metropolitan {…}
Peter Allen was not simply “another voice” on the radio, but, rather, an exemplar of how to be a voice on the radio. Allen, who passed away last October and would have turned 97 on September 17, spent 29 seasons in The Metropolitan Opera’s broadcast booth as host of the Saturday matinée radio broadcasts (1975-2004). He filled the airwaves with {…}
Elīna Garanča is one of the most famous singers of the modern opera world. Born on Sept. 16, 1976, the Latvian mezzo has gone from bel canto specialist to a dominant singing actress in the dramatic repertoire. Known for her vocal prowess and technical perfection (have you ever heard her struggle with any vocal line?), she is also an imaginative {…}
Conductor Bruno Walter, born on Sept. 15, 1876 as Bruno Schlesinger, was one of the finest conductors of the 20th century. His career was, in many ways, linked to the works of Gustav Mahler, but he also had an extensive repertoire and worked at a number of prominent opera houses including the Salzburg Festival, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, the {…}
