The Librettists Behind Richard Strauss’ Rarely Heard Late Operas

Richard Strauss, born on June 11, 1864, is one of opera’s greatest composers. And many of his operas, including “Elektra,” “Salome,” “Der Rosenkavalier,” “Die {…}

Opera vs. Broadway: The Contrasting Styles of ‘Madama Butterfly’ & Its Revival As ‘Miss Saigon’

In Collaboration with Francisco Salazar Inside the plainly named Broadway Theater, one of Broadway’s largest houses with 1,765 seats, a wall of wood scaffolding and wood poles obscures the stage in place of the would-be curtain. The screens of wooden slats bleed seamlessly into stairways patched with corrugated metal, extending beyond the proscenium. This apparent slum, which is lit with {…}

The Nontraditional Beginnings of Tenors Mario Filippeschi & Roberto Alagna

Roberto Alagna and Mario Filippeschi were both born on June 7, the former in 1963 and the latter in 1907. Starting half a century apart, the two tenors took a similar {…}

Artist Of The Week: Lianna Haroutounian Set To Conquer Hamburg State Opera In Her House Debut As ‘Madama Butterfly’

The title role in “Madama Butterfly” is one that many sopranos, both past and present, have made their own. Lianna Haroutounian is among the artists on that list and this week she reminds audiences why as she brings her acclaimed portrayal of Cio-Cio-San to the Hamburg State Opera in her house debut. The Armenian soprano recently performed the work in San {…}

What Do Cecilia Bartoli & Fedora Barbieri Share In Common?

Fedora Barbieri and Cecilia Bartoli, mezzo-sopranos born on June 4, could not be more diametrically opposed from a vocal standpoint. Unlike the past few articles showcasing two {…}