The Cincinnati Song Initiative has announced its 2022-23 season. The season opens with “To the Distant Beloved,” which will feature songs in Italian, German, and English by such composers as Tosti, Albéniz, Beethoven, Ryan, Florence Price, Charles Brown, H. Leslie Adams, and Undine Smith Moore. Performers include Tyler Duncan, Samuel Martin, Erika Switzer, and Chabrelle Williams. Performance Date: Sept. 24, {…}
(Credit: ©Paulo César) The Opernhaus Zürich has announced a cast change for its revival of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” The company noted that Elena Mosuc will sing the role of Leonora replacing Anja Harteros, who was originally announced. Mosuc has been closely connected with the Zürich Opera House, where she has appeared in various roles and débuted as the Queen of {…}
The Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its line-up for the 2022-23 season. Led by Musical Director Aziz Shokhakimov in his second season, the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra will take on multiple concerts, an international tour, and a four-year partnership with Medici.tv and Warner Classics for streaming and recording opportunities. This article will focus only on vocal performances. The opening work is {…}
Former Wiener Staatsoper press officier Lothar Knessl has died at the 95. Born April 15, 1927, in Brunn, Knessl attended the Realgymnasium in his hometown and studied piano at the conservatory. He went on to join the military and in 1947, after serving, he moved to Vienna to study music and theater. He also studied composition with Karl Schiske and {…}
The Estonian National Opera has announced its 2022-23 season featuring an array of productions and international stars. The season opens with the X Old Tallinn Gala conducted by Arvo Volmer and starring Olga Mykytenko, Ain Anger, and Raimonds Bramanis. Performance Date: August 27, 2022 Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” is set to star Perrine Madeouf and Nico Darmanin in the September performances. Performance Dates: Sept. {…}
The Edinburgh Festival has announced a cast change for its production of “Rusalka.” The company said, “please note that Natalya Romaniw and Mark Nathan have had to withdraw from the performance on Monday, August 8 due to illness. We are very grateful to Elin Pritchard, who has agreed to step in the perform the role of Rusalka, and James Geidt, {…}
Jonas Kaufmann is set to sing Radamés in Arena di Verona’s controversial “Aida” production. The company said, “On an apparently ordinary day, here we are with some exciting news: Jonas Kaufmann will play Radamès at the Arena di Verona on August 28, 2022! After the success of the 2021’s gala (which ended with seven encores: does any of you remember?) {…}
This week the Rossini Opera Festival is set to open with one of the composer’s most beloved comedies, “Le Comte Ory.” In recent years the opera has had a renaissance being performed around the world and championed by some of the leading opera singers. The festival has lined up an all-star cast including Juan Diego Florez, who is one of {…}
The Festival Castell de Peralada in Spain has announced plans to perform a concert series during Easter. The festival noted that it will perform concerts leading up to Easter weekend in the same ways such festivals as Salzburg and Baden-Baden do and noted that the concerts will be performed at the Iglesia del Carmen. This summer the Festival Castell de {…}
Anna Netrebko is set to return to the Austrian stage for the first time since the War in Ukraine broke out. The soprano will perform in a benefit concert, “Austria for Life” in the courtyard of the Schönbrunn Palace on Sept. 10. She will perform “O Himmel, welch’ Entzücken” from a Beethoven cantata and Netrebko said, “what could be nicer {…}
This week audiences can listen to world premieres, rising stars, and watch two rarely performed operas. Songs of Earth and Air Lorelt CD Label is set to release an album of vocal works composed by Rhian Samuel, inspired by poetry celebrating nature and her love of the Welsh countryside. Welsh baritone Jeremy Huw Williams presents a collage of songs and {…}