A cynical depiction of low-class misery and pessimistic determinism in the vein of Zola, “Il Tabarro” may read as a departure from the sympathetic backdrop of Imperial Japan, the mining camps of the western United States, or Bohemian Paris in the 1830s. Yet its musical ingredients leave plenty of room for the elatedness of Puccinian melodies and despite the unusually {…}
(Photo: Jon Tyson) Every Friday, Polina Lyapustina delivers a short essay on some of the most sensitive topics in the industry with the intent of establishing a dialogue about the opera world and its future. This week, I tried to flee from the grave feelings I experienced last week working on my piece about the situation with the Met Orchestra {…}
Innovation and extraordinary contemporary production which is vital to the continuation of opera-theatre and music-theatre works is at the core of this year’s annual PROTOTYPE Festival. Both international and local new works presented online at this time give audience members across the globe a chance to experience multimedia and interdisciplinary art that challenges perspectives and invites audience members to listen {…}
(Photo: Denis Rouvre) Naïve’s recent release, “Argippo,” is Volume 64 of its ongoing project to record the entire Vivaldi catalog held by the Italian National Library in Turin. However, unlike the other volumes, this work does not actually form part of the Turin collection. Initially written in 1730 to a libretto by Domenico Lalli for Vienna’s Theater am Kartner Tor {…}
I’m not a crowd person, so if someone told me I could have a private viewing of a world premiere, I’d welcome it. Sadly, this is one time I wish I had some company because Helga Davis, Shara Nova, and Mark DeChiazza’s “Ocean Body” multi-screen film and audio experience deserves an audience. The work is an arresting piece of beauty {…}
(Photo: Dmitry Lyapustin) Every Friday, Polina Lyapustina delivers a short essay on some of the most sensitive topics in the industry with the intent of establishing a dialogue about the opera world and its future. The way you enter the New Year sets the tone for the whole year ahead, the old superstition said. And I wonder whether we should {…}
(Photo: Hugh O’Conor) With the closure of the theatres, opera companies have turned to streaming their productions. However, with all the goodwill in the world, they tend to fall into the category of second-hand, second-rate experiences. In fact, many would argue that watching an opera on the screen in the comfort of your own home does not work at all. {…}
(Photo: Danielle Macinnes) Every Friday, Polina Lyapustina delivers a short essay on some of the most sensitive topics in the industry with the intent of establishing a dialogue about the opera world and its future. The choice of topics discussed, how they are researched, and how they are portrayed is conducted independently of OperaWire’s editors. The opera industry was having {…}
This review belongs to the opening night on the 10th December “La Cenerentola” is one of Rossini’s most enduring works and has remained a fixture of the standard repertory since since its premiere in 1817. Based on the iconic Cinderella fairy tale, it has brought out the best in directors over the ages and singers who revel in Rossini’s joyous {…}