In 1995, a young Rosetta Cucchi first walked through the door of the Theatre Royal in Wexford, home of the Wexford Festival Opera, beginning an association, which almost 25 years later, is still going strong, having just been been appointed as the company’s Artistic Director. Cucchi will take over the running of the festival from 2020, replacing David Agler, who {…}
On May 3, 2019 the Tulsa Opera will host an American first. According to a carefully worded press release, it will be “the first time a trans woman has performed a principal role on the operatic stage in the US.” Baritone Lucia Lucas will make her American main-stage debut in the title role of Mozart and da Ponte’s “Don Giovanni.” {…}
Earlier this season, Spanish tenor Airam Hernández took on the role of legendary tenor Enrico Caruso in the world premiere of Dutch composer Micha Hamel’s new opera “Caruso a Cuba.” Following his success in Amsterdam, the tenor will make his highly anticipated U.S. debut and role debut with the Dallas Opera as Fenton in Lee Blakely’s production of Verdi’s beloved comedy “Falstaff.” Hernández recently spoke with OperaWire about his {…}
During early June, tucked away in the Blackwater Valley in Ireland’s southeast, the small town of Lismore plays host to Ireland’s other opera festival. Not nearly as famous as the Wexford Festival, the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival has been slowly developing its profile, and attracting the attention of a wider public, although it still remains relatively unknown outside Ireland. This {…}
Soprano Ailyn Perez is coming off two successful productions at the Metropolitan Opera in some of her signature roles and winning the prestigious Opera news award. Her star has risen and she has become more and more in demand around the world. Now the soprano returns to the Houston Grand Opera where she has debuted numerous roles and has had {…}
Over the last 15 years, bass-baritone Paolo Bordogna has become one of the most esteemed specialists in the buffo/comic repertoire. His appearances have garnered him rave reviews and a huge following all over the world. He has performed at many of the leading theaters, including the Royal Opera House, Teatro alla Scala, Opéra National de Paris, Vienna State Opera, Teatro Real {…}
New York operagoers are growing increasingly familiar with Napoli-native mezzo-soprano Serena Malfi’s Mozartean repertoire. After her 2014 Met debut as Cherubino in “Le Nozze di Figaro,” Malfi returned to the big stage in 2016 as Zerlina in “Don Giovanni,” and as of this writing, she’s back as the country girl taken in by the Don’s deceitful charms. Last year, those {…}
Before his most recent recital performance titled “My Songs Without Words,” world-renowned pianist and vocal collaborator Mark Markham visited with OperaWire about his current season and what has resonated most with him while pursuing a performance career as a visionary pianist and improvisational master. Most notably, his collaborations with leading singers such as the legendary dramatic soprano Jessye Norman, soprano {…}
Gianni Schicchi is one the most famous comedies in the operatic repertoire as it was Puccini’s only one and has become a signature for multiple baritones. Federico Longhi is one of those baritones that has used the role as a vehicle around the world. This week, he returns to the Teatro Carlo Felice to sing in this signature role. Prior {…}