American mezzo-soprano Irene Roberts is in the midst of becoming one of the most in-demand Wagnerian singers of her generation. Over the past seasons, Roberts has performed the roles of Kundry, Sieglinde and Brangäne. While there are some Strauss, Bizet, Verdi and Mascagni works that she continues to perform, the mezzo’s next role is none other than Isolde at the {…}
(Photo: Chris Tribble) “Try to imagine the whole universe beginning to ring and resound. There are no longer human voices, but planets and suns revolving” wrote Gustav Mahler, commenting on his 8th Symphony. On 16th May, the majestic, (if not suitably astronomical), Coventry Cathedral hosted a remarkable and rarely performed work that received a rapturous reception at its cessation, much {…}
Italian Soprano Selene Zanetti is a rising star in the opera world having conquered many of the worlds opera houses including the Teatro La Fenice, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Teatro San Carlo, Hamburg State Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, and Wiener Staatsoper. This season, she continued her ascension making her debut at the crown jewel of all Italian theaters, the Teatro alla Scala. {…}
Long before the curtain rises on “The Song of Sakuntala,” a new opera set to premiere at INSERIES, the sitar has already been telling stories. For thousands of years, its shimmering, many-stringed voice has carried the weight of Indian classical music: its ragas, its spiritual longing, its intricate rhythmic cycles. Now that ancient voice will be at the center of {…}
(Photo Credit: Hanna Becker) Alexander Steinbeis assumed the artistic directorship of the Kissinger Sommer festival, succeeding Kari Kahl-Wolfsjäger and Tilman Schlömp, in April 2021. Previously, he served for 13 years as managing director of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. In this role, he was responsible for the overall artistic planning, the introduction of numerous innovative concert formats, and worked closely with {…}
Robin Norton-Hale is a multi-award-winning freelance writer and director for theatre, opera and film, currently based between London and Sheffield. She is the Artistic Director and CEO of English Touring Opera and an executive coach. She was the founding Artistic Director and Chief Executive of OperaUpClose, an award-winning opera company with a focus on inventive new English-language productions of {…}
Winner of the first prize “Carlo Bergonzi” and the special prize “Renata Tebaldi” for the best female voice at the 58th Voci Verdiane International Singing Competition in Busseto in 2022, Italian soprano Sara Cortolezzis’ star is on the rise. Since taking that top prize, her career has expanded rapidly, with high-profile role debuts as Leonora in “Il Trovatore” at the {…}
(Photo: Theo Williams) In July, Paxton House will host the 2026 edition of its festival dedicated to chamber music in all its forms, including solo recitals and small ensembles of instrumental and vocal music from the classical repertoire spanning across the centuries. Yet it is far more than a specialist classical music festival; there are also many cross-over events, including {…}
When Baptiste Charroing assumed the helm of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in September 2025, he brought with him something rare in the world of major opera houses: he already knew the place intimately. A trained viola player turned producer and arts administrator, Charroing had spent years working across some of France’s most distinguished musical institutions: from the Palazzetto Bru Zane, {…}
