The Bel Canto repertoire is perhaps one of the most extensive in the repertory. Throughout history, only three composers have dominated every major theater and only a fraction of their works have been shown. Thanks to recent discoveries, festivals and solo albums, the works of rare composers like Pacini, Raimondi, and Fioravanti, among others, have come to the forefront. In {…}
Handel’s “Il Trionfo Del Tempo E Del Disinganno” is one of his most unique works as it is his only oratorio and one that in the past years has gained increased recognition. What’s more, this work was written by the composer when he was but 21. Now, for the first time, the work will be presented at the Royal Danish {…}
Last year Lisette Oropesa had one of the most successful years breaking out in the opera world and signaling a new star. The soprano was a sensation in “Lucia di Lammermoor” at the Teatro Real and made stepped in last minute in “Les Huguenots” at the Opera de Paris and opened the Teatro dell’opera di Roma season. She also announced {…}
In 2012, Ailyn Perez was regarded as one of the “next wave” of prominent leading sopranos when she was profiled in OPERA NEWS magazine. She was a relative unknown, despite having already obtained a number of high profile assignments in some of the most prominent festivals and companies in the world. It was her first time on the cover story {…}
Since finishing his ensemble position at the Semperoper Dresden, baritone Zachary Nelson has built a formidable resume making important company and role debuts. Now he adds another major company debut in his favorite Mozart opera, “Le Nozze di Figaro.” The American baritone will make his first appearances with Arizona Opera as the Count in a new production. The season will {…}
It all started in a restaurant. Specifically, the Ristorante di Musica in Santa Monica, California. That’s where the Verdi Chorus could be seen throughout the years since its inception in 1983. As patrons arrived to enjoy their meals, the music of the great opera composers would be just feet away. But the restaurant goers were not the only ones benefiting {…}
(Photo: Janita Sassen) Amsterdam’s “Opera Forward Festival” is an event which showcases new or relatively new operas, by well-known and lesser known composers. One of the operas on offer at this year’s festival was Micha Hamel’s “Caruso a Cuba.” Hamel is not an especially well-known composer outside his native Netherlands, but within his country he has had a number of {…}
Opera Fayetteville is a small opera company with a big mission. Situated in a college town with a crackling cultural scene, the company brings cutting-edge operatic programming to an opera-starved corner of Northwest Arkansas. For Tamara Ryan, Boston-based soprano and Opera Fayetteville founder, bringing opera to her hometown is a labor of love and a source satisfaction. Creating An Opera {…}
British composer Iain Bell and librettist Emma Jenkins previously collaborated on their opera “In Parenthesis” in 2016 and their new work, “Jack the Ripper: The Women of Whitechapel” opens at English National Opera on March 30, 2019. In a recent talk with OperaWire, the duo commented on storytelling, Ripperology, and opera’s answer to “Ocean’s 8”. OperaWire: Tell us about how the {…}