Q & A: Soprano Martina Licari on Her Forthcoming Role Debut as Ismene at Vicenza In Lirica & How COVID Disrupted her Early Success

(Photo: Antonio Curti) The winner of the 2021 Tulio Serafin Opera Singing Competition, Martina Licari, is due to make her role debut as Ismene in two performances of Mozart’s “Mitridate, re di Ponto” at this season’s Vicenza in Lirica, starting 28th August, running until 12th September. Having graduated from the conservatory in Palermo in 2018, the young soprano appeared to {…}

Aug 1, 2021

Q & A: Vilma Jää on Performing Markéta in Saariaho’s ‘Innocence’ & her Dream of Reviving Finnish Folk Music Traditions

(Photo: Mary Em) Kaija Saariaho’s new opera “Innocence” premiered at this summer’s Festival d’Aix-En-Provence to widespread acclaim. “Innocence” is about a school shooting in an International school. In the role of Markéta, one of the shooter’s victims was the young Finnish singer Vilma Jää, who found herself receiving enthusiastic applause for her extraordinary performances. Jää is a marvelous singer with {…}

Jul 25, 2021

Q & A: Norman Garrett on King Arthur, Chausson & the 2021-22 Season

On July 25, Bard Summerscape is set to present the rarely performed opera by Chausson, “Le Roi Arthus.” The work is the only opera by the French composer and is considered one of the finest examples of French romanticism. For this historic production, Bard has put together a superb cast with the likes of Sasha Cooke and Matthe White as {…}

Jul 21, 2021

Q & A: Carlos Álvarez on ‘Tosca,’ ‘Viva La Mamma,’ the Teatro Real & His Beginnings

It has been 16 years since Spanish barotine Carlos Álvarez last sang at the Teatro Real de Madrid, a theater where he had success early on. Sixteen years! A long time for any artist, but particularly notable when you considered that Álvarez is a renowned Spaniard who is among the best singers in the world. The baritone has, however, continued {…}

Jul 16, 2021

Q & A: Mark Adamo on ‘The Lord of Cries,’ John Corigliano & Santa Fe Opera

On July 17, “The Lord of Cries” will have its world premiere at the Santa Fe Opera. The work by real-life couple Mark Adamo and John Corgliano is said to be a juxtaposition of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” and “The Bacchae” by Euripides. James Darrah will direct the work which will star Anthony Roth Costanzo and David Portillo, among others. OperaWire {…}

Jul 15, 2021

Q & A: Daniela Barcellona on Falstaff, Mozart, Verismo & Her Dream for the Future of Opera

Bel Canto, Verismo, Verdi, baroque and French are all the variety of repertoire that Daniela Barcellona has performed throughout her legendary career. It is with Rossini where she began and which has led her to become one of the great interpreters of the Verdi works such as “Falstaff.” The mezzo recently finished a production of “Falstaff” in the role of {…}

Jul 10, 2021

Q & A: Joseph Calleja on ‘Tosca,’ Mario Lanza & the Future of Opera

Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja is considered one of the great voices of his generation. Sometimes noted as the “Golden Voice,” he has gone on to perform diverse repertoire around the world, while recording five solo recital albums, and appearing several HD performances. Over the past years, he has started to move in the dramatic repertoire and is currently making his {…}

Jul 5, 2021

Q & A: Fatma Said on Her Upcoming Performance at the Edinburgh International Festival & Debut Album

(Photo: Josef Fischnaller) Fatma Said has had a remarkable career. She was the first Egyptian vocalist to perform at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, where she sang the role of Pamina in Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte.” She has performed in both opera and concert settings in some of the leading opera houses throughout Europe and is an artistic representative for her {…}

Jun 30, 2021

Q & A: Sonya Yoncheva on the Rebirth of the Opera Industry & Finding Her Own Freedom as an Artist

(Photo: Alexander Thompson) Sonya Yoncheva has always played by her own rules. She’s never allowed anyone to box her in and has never followed a specific route. She has championed rarely performed like “Il Pirata,” “Siberia,” and “Medea” among others throughout her career, experimenting with all kinds of directors and often arriving at some truly immersive and original interpretations of {…}

Jun 27, 2021

Q & A: Sondra Radvanovsky on ‘Tosca,’ Bel Canto, Verismo & Spain

(Credit: Michael Cooper ) This summer Sondra Radvanovsky returns to the Teatro Real to close out the season in “Tosca” after opening it to great acclaim in “Un Ballo in Maschera.” The season has seen the soprano in Spain performing at La Coruna and giving highly acclaimed performances at the Liceu in a gala with Piotr Beczala and Donizetti’s Three {…}

Jun 22, 2021

Q & A: Pretty Yende Talks About Her Detainment at Charles De Gaulle Airport

(Credit: Elena Cherkashyna) On June 21, Pretty Yende was detained at the French airport on her way to the Théâtre des Champs Elysées for the fourth performance of a new critically acclaimed production of “La Sonnambula.” She was returning from Milan where she been processing documents and when she arrived back in France, police officers took her to a cell {…}

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