The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Aida.” The company said that Judit Kutasi will replace Anita Rachvelishvili in the role of Amneris in the company’s three performances on July July 23, 27, and 30, 2023. Kutasi has performed with the Paris Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro alla Scala, and {…}
Jan Latham-Koenig has been appointed artistic director of the Festival Puccini at Torre del Lago. The director will take the position on June 19, 2023, and his term will be between 2024 and 2026. Latham-Koenig is the Music Director of Teatro Colon, Buenos Aires and is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Britten-Shostakovich Festival Orchestra. He has conducted the {…}
The Konzerthaus Berlin has announced its 2023-24 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Martin Lehmann conducts Bach’s “Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 (Teile I-III)” with soloists Marie Luise Werneburg, Henriette Godde, Eric Stoklossa, and Julian Orlishausen. Performance Dates: Dec. 1-3, 2023 Joana Mallwitz conducts a program of music by Brahms Beethoven, and Mahler with soloists Andre Schuen, Bomsori Kim, {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced that the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, under the music direction of Keri-Lynn Wilson, will reunite this August for a tour of major European festivals and cities, continuing to demonstrate Ukrainian artistry as the nation fights for its freedom. The 74-piece orchestra includes Ukrainian musicians from across the country, with some male members having received special permission {…}
The Giulio Gari Foundation has named the winners of its 2023 Vocal Competition. The competition marked the 20th anniversary of the Foundation, and took place at The Liederkranz Club from May 8 to 12, 2023. First through fifth prizes went to Key’mon Murrah, Le Bu, Vladyslav Buialskyi, Cierra Byrd, and Amanda Batista, respectively. Grant prizes were given to Sejin Park {…}
Opera Rara and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) have announced that mezzo-soprano Kezia Bienek and tenor Julian Henao Gonzalez will be featured in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World fringe events. The concerts and exhibition are part of RWCMD’s program of fringe events which coincide with the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition. The {…}
Sonya Yoncheva’s SY11 Productions has announced the 2023-24 season for “Intimate Voices.” The concert series, which is set to take place in Sofia, Bulgaria will kick off with “Red Tango” starring Erwin Schrott. Performance Date: Oct. 27, 2023 Next up, Freddie de Tommaso presents “Under the Stars of Napoli.” Performance Date: Nov. 18, 2023 Yoncheva will headline “Reincarnation.” Performance Date: {…}
The Smetana Opera Cycle has announced its 2024 slate. The year 2024 will commemorate 200 years since the birth of Czech music composer Bedřich Smetana and as a result, the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in cooperation with the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava will commemorate the anniversary by staging a complete showcase of all eight completed operas by Bedřich Smetana as the only {…}
France’s Opéra-Théâtre de Metz has announced its 2023-24 season. Here are the operas for the upcoming season. Tuuli Takala, Amadi Lagha, Perrine Madoeuf, Joan Martín-Royo, Julien Ségol, Alexey Birkus, and Bertrand Duby star as Puccini’s “La Bohème.” David Reiland conducts Paul-Émile Fourny’s production. Performance Dates: Oct. 1-7, 2023 Cristian Carrara’s “Voix d’hébron” will be conducted by Arthur Fagen and directed {…}
The Orquesta Filarmónica de Málaga has announced its 2023-24 season featuring two vocal performances. José María Moreno conducts Glinka, Borodin, and Orff with soloists Maite Alberola, Juan de Dios Mateos, and Günter Haumer. Performance Dates: Sept. 14 & 15, 2023 José María Moreno conducts Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 2 with soloists Maribel Ortega, Marina Pinchuk, and José Bros. Performance Dates: Dec. {…}
(Photo credit: Ⓒ-Clärchen and Matthias Baus) Something in the Zeitgeist tells us that the old saying “Dreaming is free” is no longer true. If the box-office bomb “Babylon” explored how much the Hollywood dream can cost, and it costs a lot, both in the film and in the box-office. Philipp Stölzl and Philipp M. Krenn’s take on Dvorak’s “Rusalka” follows {…}