Despite the pandemic continuing to rage and canceling productions around the world, the Teatro Real de Madrid was able to bring together three of the world’s most renowned opera stars, Joyce di Donato, Jonas Kaufmann, and Javier Camarena, to perform recitals on its legendary stage. While DiDonato and Kaufmann took on more intimate programs, Camarena gave a full display of {…}
This review is for the performance on Dec. 8 and featured Maria Jose Moreno’s first performance in the role of Donna Anna. Claus Guth, the stage director, is famous for his scandalous and modern productions. He certainly did not disappoint with his approach to Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” which was presented at the Teatro Real 15 times throughout the holiday season. {…}
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 {…}
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 {…}
This review belongs to the performance on the 24th of November 2020 The times when the quality of the first cast at the Teatro Real de Madrid was supposed to be “superior” to that of the second cast are long past. In more recent times we saw it in “Ballo in Maschera” last month with soprano Sondra Ravdanovsky in the {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper showcased “La Boheme” as part of its Montagsstücke series. Asher Fisch led the Bayerischen Staatsöper Orchestra and a starry cast that included tenor Jonas Kaufmann as Rodolfo and soprano Rachel Willis-Sorensen as Mimì. The outcome was a performance that came to life on screen and renewed the spirit of opera lovers during a time of lockdown and {…}
(Credit: Javier del Real) This review belongs to the third performance of cast A on the 16th of November 2020 After an absence of nearly a hundred years, “Rusalka” returned to the stage of Teatro Real, with a new production directed by Christof Loy in co-production with Säschsische Sttaatsoper Dresden, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, {…}
(Credit: Lloyd Winters) The jumbotrons flash with bright colors and larger-than-life faces. The campervans are scattered across Alexandra Palace’s massive outdoor stage. I am transported to some bizzarro Coachella performed in suburban London. I pull my coat close around me as a pervasive English damp and an all-too familiar British wind cut through the desert festival scenes. The cars beginning {…}
As I was going to the first performance of “Werther,” a drame lyrique by Jules Massenet, I was glad that I would finally listen to Piotr Beczała live in this role, which he has performed for 25 years. Nevertheless, as I entered Teatr Wielki – the Polish National Opera, I was also a bit concerned that I was about to {…}