Violetta Urmana had not sung at the Metropolitan Opera since 2017. For 16 years, she was a leading soprano for the company, performing both mezzo and soprano roles in many of the most dramatic roles in the repertoire. Her “Aida” was one of the most memorable interpretations and was even recorded on HD, while her “La Gioconda” was iconic. She {…}
On June 1 and 8, the Philadelphia Orchestra will present Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” with Yannick Nezet-Seguin conducting the opera for the first time. The conductor has lined up an all-star cast of Wagner titans who have performed the work on numerous occasions. Among them is Stuart Skelton, who is recognized as one of the great Heldentenors of his generation. {…}
For years, Nina Stemme has been regarded as one of the great interpreters of the Wagner repertoire. Her Isolde has been widely admired by audiences around the world at some of the greatest theaters such as the Metropolitan Opera, Glyndebourne, and Berlin. In May 2004, she bid farewell to the role in a stage production, and now June 1, she {…}
(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera) In 2006, the Beverly Sills Award was established to help further the careers of rising stars by providing additional funding for vocal coaching, language study, travel costs, and other professional expenses. Sills was well-known as a supporter and friend to developing young artists, and the award was meant to honor her legacy as an {…}
In March 2020, as the lights dim on his Metropolitan Opera/Lincoln Center Theater commissioned opera, “Intimate Apparel,” and rise on what will be a lengthy global pandemic, Ricky Ian Gordon reaches for his phone. His first call is to James Robinson, his friend, and the artistic director of the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) at the time (he is {…}
(Credit: Natalia Mentugova) In 2019, Lidia Fridman had a major breakout when she jumped into a run of Donizetti’s “L’Ange de Nisida” at the Donizetti Opera Festival. It was an introduction to an artist with a major voice. Fast forward to 2025, Fridman has already performed at many major theaters as the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Müpa {…}
Polish countertenor Michał Sławecki has become known for his contemporary music interpretations and incorporates prominent Polish composers: Paweł Mykietyn, Agata Zubel, Wojciech Błażejczyk, Rafał Ryterski, Bartek Chajdecki, Maciej Zieliński, and Andrzej Zarycki amongst others. He has performed with the National Philharmonic in Warsaw, Philharmonics in Szczecin, Gdańsk, and Bydgoszcz, the Silesian Opera in Bytom, the Polish National Opera, the Opera {…}
(Photo: c. StefanPop.com) Romanian tenor Ștefan Pop is considered among today’s leading lyric tenors and he is best known for bel canto repertoire. He is the recipient of several awards including, in 2010, Plácido Domingo’s Operalia competition and the Seoul International Music Competition. Born in Bistrita, and having a strong musical background after studying the violin for twelve years, he {…}
On May 16, Jack Swanson will make his Metropolitan Opera debut. The American tenor has become one of the most in demand for his work in the Bel Canto repertoire singing at major houses like the Staatsoper Hamburg, Houston Grand Opera, Rossini Opera Festival, Opéra National de Paris, Grand Théâtre de Genève, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Arena di Verona, and {…}
(Photo credit: Jiyang Chen) Grammy and Emmy Award-winning baritone Reginald Smith, Jr. met with OperaWire to discuss his exciting 2025-26 season. Throughout the conversation, Smith details his dedication to reaching diverse audiences and explains how his background in music education enhances his performance career. Later this month, Smith will make his long-awaited role debut as Porgy in Francesca Zambello’s production of {…}
(Photo: Anastasiya Taratorkina) Prior to the performance of Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne’s rarity “Phèdre” at the Badische Staatstheater in Karlsruhe, Operawire met up with one of its stars, the young Russo-German soprano Anastasiya Taratorkina, who was performing the role of Oenone. Although only in her third year as a professional singer, she is already building a reputation as a fine singing actress {…}
