Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Emily Magee, Renée Fleming, Janinah Burnett, Javier Camarena Headline Top 10 Operas to Stream This Week
By David SalazarAs February draws to a close, audiences will get a chance to engage with some of the major companies from around the world as they showcase a slew of unique concert experiences ranging from live performances to some streaming classics.
Without further ado, here are our top 10 operas to stream this week!
Verzauberte Welt – Staatsoper Stuttgart (NOW)
The Staatsoper Stuttgart will present Ravel’s “Verzauberte Welt,” a performance that features his famed L’Enfant et des sortilèges,” his fairytale suite “Ma Mère L’Oye,” and several songs and lyrics by Schorsch Kamerun. The performance features Schorsch Kamerun, Diana Haller, Maria Theresa Ullrich, Carina Schmieger, Claudia Muschio, Linsey Coppens, Jasper Leever, Elliott Carlton Hines, and Charles Sy. Dennis Russell Davies conducts the production by Schorsch Kamerun.
Die Lustige Witwe – Teatro Verdi di Padova (Feb. 21)
For those who want something with a bit of lightness in its step, Lehar’s famed operetta is just the choice for you. The showcase will star Omar Montanari in the role of Baron Mirko Zeta, rising star Ruth Iniesta as Valencienne, Alessandro Safina as Count Danilo Danilovitsch, and Anastasia Bartoli as Hanna Glawari.
Maggio Musicale – Rigoletto (Feb. 23)
With a cast starring Luca Salsi in the title role, Javier Camarena as the Duke of Mantua, and Enkeleda Kamani as Gilda, this is undeniably one of the most exciting streams of the week. Riccardo Frizza conducts the production by Davide Livermore.
Eugene Onegin – Metropolitan Opera (Feb. 24)
The Met will be honoring baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky throughout the week and to be honest, there are a ton of incredible performances to pick from. You could go to his “Trovatore” or “Un Ballo in Maschera” that streams at the end of the week or even “The Queen of Spades” from 1999. But for us, this Eugene Onegin, which pairs the baritone with Renée Fleming and Ramón Vargas, both at the peak of their respective powers, in Robert Carson’s iconic production, is arguably his finest broadcast on the Met stage. I think there are fewer artists in recent years to uncover the nuance and complexity of Tchaikovsky’s anti-hero the way Hvorostovsky did. This is an iconic performance.
I, To, Am America – Pittsburgh Opera (Feb. 26)
Pittsburgh Opera celebrates Black History Month with “I, Too, Am America,” a program of works by William Grant Still and Florence Price. The concert will feature Pittsburgh Opera Head of Music Glenn Lewis on piano and baritone Yazid Gray.
Ernani – Teatro Massimo di Palermo (Feb. 26)
The Teatro Massimo di Palermo is set to present Verdi’s early work with Eleonora Buratto in the role of Elvira, Simone Piazzola as Don Carlos, Michele Pertusi in the role of Silva, Irene Savignano as Giovanna, Carlo Bosi in the role of Don Riccardo, Andrea Pellegrini as Jago, and Giorgio Berrugi in the title role. Omer Meir Wellber conducts the Teatro Massimo Orchestra.
Love & Politics – OperaVision (Feb. 27)
OperaVision will present a unique concert experience that combines four Verdi operas based on Friedrich Schiller’s plays including “Don Carlo,” “I Masnadieri,” “Luisa Miller,” and “Giovanna d’Arco.” The concert is conducted by Ville Matvejeff and staged by Dan Turdén artistic director of Norrlandsoperan.
Tosca – The Dallas Opera (Feb. 27)
The Dallas Opera will present a 2015 performance of Puccini’s “Tosca” conducted by Emmanuel Villaume, the company’s Mrs. Eugene McDermott music director, and starring American soprano Emily Magee in the title role of Floria Tosca. Other cast members include Chilean tenor Giancarlo Monsalve in his TDO debut as Mario Cavaradossi and bass Raymond Aceto Baron Scarpia.
Falstaff – San Francisco Opera (Feb. 27-28)
San Francisco Opera will continue its Opera is On program with a 2013 rendition of Verdi’s famed masterpiece. “Falstaff” features Bryn Terfel in his iconic interpretation of the title role alongside Ainhoa Arteta, Fabio Capitanucci, and Heidi Stober. Luisotti conducts.
Blessed – Opera Philadelphia (Feb. 28)
Opera Philadelphia continues expanding the new content on its channel with the premiere of Courtney Bryan’s “Blessed” as part of its Digital Commissions Series. “Blessed” received its inspiration from the Bible verse Matthew 5 “blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth,” through the context of recent protests against police brutality. Bryan performs alongside soprano Janinah Burnett, vocalist Damian Norfleet in a production created by filmmaker Tiona Nekkia McClodden and sound designer Robert Kaplowitz.
