Jonas Kaufmann, Luciano Pavarotti, Angel Blue & Juan Diego Flórez Headline Top 10 Operas to Stream this Week
By David SalazarOpera’s biggest superstars (past and present) are featuring in this week’s edition. There are some new works, recitals, and some classical masterpieces on offer. And a notable Latin American composer, Daniel Catán, also gets his due.
Here are the top 10 operas to stream this week.
La Hija de Rappaccini – Chicago Opera Theater (Streaming Now)
We did note that Daniel Catán would figure prominently here and so we kick off the list with this production of one of his historic Spanish-language operas directed by Crystal Manich. The opera is conducted by Enrico Lopez-Yañez, who is making his company debut and will be live-streamed from the Field Museum.
Verdi e La Fenice – Teatro la Fenice (April 26)
This concert was set to take place last week, but was ultimately postponed. Riccardo Frizza teams up with Luca Salsi and Michele Pertusi in music from “Ernani,” “Attila,” “Rigol
Il Segreto di Susanna – Bayerische Staatsoper (April 26)
Life. Changing. – San Francisco Opera (April 28)
Andre Chénier – Met Opera (April 28)
For those who want a historic performance, look no further than Luciano Pavarotti taking on a role he sang wonderfully. He is flanked by a cast of vocal titans including Maria Guleghina, Wendy White, Stephanie Blythe, and Juan Pons.
The Turn of the Screw – La Monnaie / De Munt (April 29)
La Monnaie is set to surprise audiences with its new production of “The Turn of the Screw,” directed by Andrea Breth and conducted by Ben Glassberg. The opera stars Ed Lyon, Sally Matthews, Thomas Heinen, Henri de Beauffort, Katharinia Bierweiler, Carole Wilson, Julian Hubbard, and Giselle Allen.
Faust – Vienna State Opera (April 29)
Meanwhile over in Austria, the Vienna State Opera will continue its series of live-streamed performances, this time showcasing Gounod’s perennial masterwork in a new production by Frank Castrof. Juan Diego Flórez will star in the title role alongside Nicole Car as Marguerite, Adam Palka as Méphistophélès and Étienne Dupuis as Valentin. Bertrand de Billy conducts.
let me come in – Los Angeles Opera (April 30)
Those seeking out something more akin to a cinematic experience can’t go wrong with this digital short film created by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang and filmmaker Bill Morrison. Star soprano Angel Blue provided the vocals for the Lang/Morrison collaboration, for which Lang served as both composer and lyricist.
Fidelio – Opernhaus Zurich (April 30)
Jonas Kaufmann is an ever-popular figure in the opera world for his heroic performances of major heroes in the standard repertory. One of those major roles is Florestan from “Fidelio” and this week, the Opernhaus Zürich is offering an opportunity for audiences to check out the famed tenor in an early interpretation of the role dating from 2004. The opera also stars Camilla Nylund, Günther Groissböck, and Alfred Muff, among others.
A Celebration of Daniel Catán – Opera America (April 30)
And to close it all out, here’s your second Daniel Catán offering of the week, in the form of a celebration gala hosted by Opera America. The showcase will feature performances by such artists as Ana María Martinez, Cecilia Violetta López, Richard Troxell, and Ramón Vargas. There will also be appearances by artists from the Ópera de Bellas Artes in Mexico City.
***Some of these performances may be region-blocked (only accessible to people connected to a network in a specific country). But you can gain access by using a VPN. To find out more, click here.
