The young Czech baritone Roman Hoza is currently appearing as Gorjančikov in Janacek’s “From the House of the Dead” at the Brno Janacek Festival. Although attached to the Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf, for which he performs a variety of roles, he also makes guest appearances with other companies, particularly in his home country, at the Prague National Opera and, {…}
Frédéric Chaslin is one of today’s most important French conductors in the world. He has performed at every major opera theater with major opera stars in a variety of repertoire. He has even composed numerous operas. This season Chaslin is exploring the French repertoire. He opened the season with “Lakmé” at the Liège Opera House and is set to conduct {…}
The Nov. 8 performance of Rossini’s “William Tell” at the Irish National Opera will mark the first time in 145 years that the opera returns to Dublin. That kind of history is not lost on the artists involved, but it has special significance for soprano Máire Flavin who was born in Dublin. The soprano, who takes on the role of {…}
Hila Baggio is an Israeli soprano with an international career who now resides in Europe. She has a wide repertoire ranging from the standard operatic roles to contemporary and liturgical music, and has appeared in numerous high profile productions, alongside many eminent musicians, including Daniel Barenboim for a staged production of “Pierrot Lunaire” in Berlin. Currently, she is performing Miranda {…}
(Photo: Clive Barda) Jade Phoenix was one of the first students to pass through Wexford Festival Opera’s Factory, a learning program for young singers starting out in their careers. As part of the course, she performed on the festival’s main stage in the role of Giuliette in Bellini’s “I Capuletti e i Montecchi.” Such was the strength of her interpretation {…}
(Photo: Frances Marshall) Following a series of glowing reviews for her performance as Elsa in Covent Garden’s 2018 production of “Lohengrin,” Irish soprano Jennifer Davis’ meteoric rise continues apace. Currently, she is performing the title role in Dvorak’s “Armida” at the Wexford Festival Opera. OperaWire: What was the first opera you saw? Jennifer Davis: “Porgy & Bess” at Cork Opera {…}
Over the past ten to fifteen years, there has been an impressive supply of high-quality Irish female singers establishing successful international careers for themselves. However, this has not been the case with male singers, who appear to struggle to secure roles, even at Irish National Opera. One singer who appears about to buck the trend is bass-baritone Rory Dunne, who {…}
During the Covid pandemic in 2020, OperaWire interviewed mezzo-soprano Arlene Belli. Two years on, and she finds herself at the Wexford Festival Opera performing the role of Lady Louise Wolseley in “The Master” by Alberto Caruso, based on Colm Tóibín’s novel about the author Henry James. OperaWire: What was the first opera you saw? Arlene Belli: “Aida” in the Verona {…}
(Credit: © Tessa Traeger) On Sept. 26, Carlo Rizzi opened the Metropolitan Opera for the third time in his career. However, that experience was unique because he was conducting “Medea” for the time ever. And it’s just the first of three works at the Met this season. A few days after the opening, the conductor returned to the podium to {…}
Earlier this year, American soprano Merissa Beddows stepped into the nation’s spotlight when she made her debut on the popular television show America’s Got Talent, stunning the audience and judges with her fluid and funny impressions of various artists. A recent graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, the last few years have seen Beddows win or take home prizes {…}
In September, mezzo-soprano Teresa Iervolino got a call from the Bayerische Staatsoper to perform “La Cenerentola” on short notice. The mezzo, who was already scheduled to perform at the house later in the month immediately said yes and began her season earlier than expected. A rising star in the opera world, Iervolino has already made her name performing Bel canto {…}