On March 18, the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts Weiwuying is set to open a production of Verdi’s immortal “La Traviata,” which will be performed for a live audience. For many opera singers, the possibility of returning to the stage in front of a live audience is something truly unique and special, and this is undoubtedly the case for {…}
Four characters across generations come to terms with their identities as a major coming-out story was playing out on television. That is at the core of “The Puppy Episode,” a new work set to be showcased by Chicago Opera Theater as part of its Vanguard Emerging Opera Composer Residency. The work was composed by Matthew Recio in collaboration with librettist {…}
When La Monnaie was forced to postpone its planned “Bastarda” project, which would have featured the Tudor trilogy and Donizetti’s rarely performed “Il castello di Kenilworth,” the company had to opt for an alternative. The company decided to perform two rare works by Donizetti and Rossini; “La Favorita” and “Elisabetta, regina d’Inghilterra.” However, it would only be highlights of the {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta) In the fall of 2020 Eleonora Buratto made a trimuphant role debut as Elvira in Verdi’s “Ernani.” The soprano’s performance at the Verdi Festival were one of the few opportunities for Buratto (and almost any singer) to perform for a live audience. Critics raved about her “stylistic purity” and her “intensity.” There seemed to be hope at {…}
In 2016, while still studying at the Royal College of Music in London, Swiss soprano Marie Lys was offered the role of Asteria in Buxton Festival’s production of “Tamerlano.” Although it was her first professional stage performance she gave a noteworthy presentation, with critics applauding her “impressive range,” “sweet singing” and “appealing, flexible tone.” Since then her career has been {…}
Last month the Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre’s inaugurated the Opera Kanikapila session. The new series pairs opera singers with local musicians from different cultures to explore and combine their artistic abilities. Native Hawaiian Quinn Kelsey, one of opera’s leading baritones, inaugurated the series alongside Taimane Tauiliili Bobbie Gardner with a program of diverse operatic and Hawaiian music. Kelsey is well known {…}
I first heard the Welsh lullaby “Suo Gân” watching Steven Spielberg’s 1987 film, “Empire of the Sun.” The moving piece is perfect for cinematic use, and if you live in the United Kingdom, you can hear it as the title song for the new television series “The Pembrokeshire Murders.” (The show is also available in the United States on Britbox.) {…}
(Photo: Kaupo Kikkas) The recent performance of “Eight Songs for a Mad King” from Bayerische Staatsoper provoked so many thoughts in my head. It questioned the humanity and sanity in our world. It reflected modern times so vividly. It struck with the intensity of a live performance, so I could not take my eyes away. The evening teased the discoveries {…}
Edgaras Montvidas, one of the most famous Lithuanian tenors, took 2020 as a bouquet of various experiences. Living in London since 2001 and working at the Covent Garden Opera House, he was a soloist at the Frankfurt Opera House between 2003-2006 and began last year’s season with his debut at the world premiere of Christian Jost’s “Egmont.” But what was {…}
There’s no doubt what video productions have meant for the opera world over the last year. With COVID-19 continuing to rage, live performance is simply not an option at this moment and will struggle to become the norm once again for some time. In its stead, companies have turned to the magic of cinema and streaming options available for distribution. {…}
Aerialist noun : one who performs feats in the air or above the ground, especially on the trapeze. Does singing “Der Hölle Rache,” the famous Queen of the Night aria, upside down while suspended by yards of silk count as a “feat?” If not, it should because that’s exactly what soprano Rainelle Krause does. Whether in the air or on the {…}