Rolando Villazón turns 45 on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017. The Mexican tenor has managed a strong career over the past decade, conquering numerous struggles and paving new ways that have allowed him to remain at the forefront of opera’s diversification and development. He has reshaped his repertoire to suit his vocal and dramatic abilities, but today we recognize him for {…}
Opera is laden with historical figures of the past, many often showcased in a mythological light. The same goes for American Presidents, which have been given the operatic treatment on several occasions. As we celebrate Presidents Day in the United States, here is a look at which of our leaders have been showcased in operas. Third US President Thomas Jefferson {…}
John Holiday is one of the most promising countertenors of his generation. Holiday’s star is rising and this week he will once again have a chance to prove it at the Bruce R. Foote Foundation Concert. The tenor, who is a recipient of the Bruce R. Foote award, will perform a concert that will show his talent in distinct repertoire, which {…}
Isabel Leonard turns 35 on Saturday Feb. 18. The singer’s stature has grown over the past few years as the artist, so beloved around the United States, has seen her profile grow ever greater around the world. She is coming off major turns as Adalgisa in “Norma” and Charlotte in “Werther,” which she is currently performing at the Metropolitan Opera. {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2017-18 season and with it there are two Met premieres and two notable revivals. “Luisa Miller” will have its first run in over a decade. Rossini’s “Semiramide” will also be performed for the first time since 1993 while Msssenet’s “Cendrillon” bows at the house for the first time ever. With some of these operas {…}
Giuseppe Verdi’s “Giovanna d’Arco” is the seventh opera the composer wrote with its premiere coming on Feb. 15 , 1845. While the opera is considered one of the lesser works by Verdi and has at times been criticized for its choral music, the work does have a lot of merit, particularly in its writing for the character of Giovanna. It {…}
Renée Fleming is one of the most iconic sopranos of our time as she has broken the mold for what it means to be an operatic diva. On February 14, Fleming celebrates her 58th birthday and OperaWire celebrates it by taking a look at what makes Fleming such an inspiration. Intelligence and Depth Every time Renée Fleming approaches a role, {…}
It’s Valentine’s Day, a momentous occasion to celebrate love and romance. Romance is at the heart of opera with the art forms pull coming from our connection with beautiful love affairs. Most everyone melts at Rodolfo and Mimì’s blooming love in “La Bohème” or Alfredo and Violetta’s in “La Traviata.” We admire the sacrifice of Roméo and Juliette or even {…}
For years Joyce DiDonato has been a master in the Bel Canto repertoire singing Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti. Her vocal flexibility and nuance has brought new musical insights to some of this neglected repertoire, her approach often innovative. This week DiDonato took on the role of Rossini’s “Semiramide” for the first time at the Bayerische Staatsoper and after listening to the premiere {…}
