Q & A: Riccardo Massi On ‘Aida’ & His Opera Career

(Credit: Angelo Contorno) Italian tenor Riccardo Massi has rapidly achieved international recognition as one of the most exciting and accomplished interpreters of the Italian spinto repertoire, earning accolades worldwide for his interpretations of Puccini’s and Verdi’s heroes. He has performed at the prestigious Italian theaters, Giuseppe Verdi Theatre and La Scala, alongside the Royal Opera House and the Metropolitan Opera {…}

Q & A: Kelley O’Connor on Performing Thomas Adès’ ‘America: A Prophecy’

(Photo Credit: Emma K. Morris) Acclaimed mezzo-soprano recently debuted an expanded version of Thomas Adès’ “America: A Prophecy” with The Gewandhaus Orchestra under Andris Nelsons. Her other performances this season include Verdi’s “Requiem”and Anna in Berlioz’s monumental “Les Troyens”. OperaWire was glad for this opportunity to discuss with the mezzo-soprano both the modern and the classical roles in her repertoire.  OperaWire: Hi Kelley — and thank you so {…}

Q & A: Jakub Józef Orliński on #LetsBaRock & Creating a Crossover Album

In September, countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński released #LetsBaRock, a crossover album that experiments with baroque classics. The album showcases Orliński joining forces with pianist Aleksander Dębicz, as well as Polish pop musicians Marcin Ułanowski and Wojciech Gumińki,  in a creation that synthesizes the sound of “the new baroque” with music by Händel, Purcell, Monteverdi, and Vivaldi. And throughout 2024, Orliński {…}

Q & A: Vannina Santoni On Performing The Title Role In Bru-Zane’s New Recording Of Massenet’s Grisélidis

(Photo: courtesy of Vannina Santoni) Jules Massenet completed more than 30 operas over the course of his career, scoring numerous successes. Within a few years of his death, however, his reputation had faded. Today, apart from “Werther,” “Manon” and to a lesser extent “Thaïs,” most opera-goers would struggle to name more than one or two other titles. Opera companies reinforce {…}

Q & A: Soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams on Edmond Dédé’s Opera ‘Morgiane’

(Photo Courtesy of Mary Elizabeth Williams.) Opera Lafayette and OperaCréole present “RE|STORE: Edmond Dédé’s ‘Morgiane’” in four cities across the U.S. including New Orleans, Washington, DC, New York City, and College Park, MD. The preview of this never-performed, long-lost masterpiece took place at the historical St. Louis Cathedral, where Dédé was baptized, featuring The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra playing modern instruments {…}

Q & A: Gianandrea Noseda & Nicole Heaston on Performing Barber’s ‘Vanessa’ With the National Symphony Orchestra & Aspects of Live Recordings

 (Photo credit: Tony Hitchcock) Despite winning a Pulitzer Prize and receiving great acclaim following its Metropolitan Opera premiere in 1958, Barber and Menotti’s “Vanessa” is not regularly programmed as a full work. Arias such as “Must the winter come so soon?” and “Do not utter a word” are frequently heard in recitals, but this does not do justice to this {…}