Festival Napa Valley has announced the commissioning and world premiere of “The Judgment of Paris,” a new one-act opera by acclaimed composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer. The work will debut on July 18, 2026, on the Festival Napa Valley Stage at Charles Krug Winery, as part of Festival Napa Valley’s landmark 20th Anniversary Season. It will mark the {…}
(Photo: Andrea Butti / OperaLombardia) Although “I Puritani” is an Italian opera through and through, it was conceived in Paris, at the height of the grand opéra tradition. Bellini studied Meyerbeer and Halévy in great detail, noting in his personal papers certain orchestral “effects” he wished to emulate and others he intended to avoid. As a result, the score, especially {…}
(Credit: Xiomara Bender) The Tiroler Festspiele has announced that Asher Fisch has been forced to withdraw from the winter season. The company said, “Chef Conductor Asher Fisch must withdraw from his performances at the Tiroler Festspiele Erl in the 2025–26 winter season due to a shoulder injury. The team wishes him a swift recovery.The entire team wishes him all the {…}
Ildar Abdrazakov has been named People’s Artist of Russia, the highest honor for a Russian musician and further showing his support for Putin. The Putin supporter took to social media posting a picture of himself with Putin stating, “Dear friends! I have good news to share. Today by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation I have been {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has released a statement following the second performance of “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” which saw Maestro Riccardo Chailly fall ill. The company said, “Maestro Riccardo Chailly’s health has improved rapidly after the illness that forced him to interrupt the second performance of Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District.” Chailly also released a statement, “I would like {…}
Heartbeat Opera is set to present “MANON!” The new 100-minute English-language adaptation of Massenet’s 1884 opera, with a new English book and lyrics by Jacob Ashworth and director Rory Pelsue as well as new arrangements by Music Director Dan Schlosberg, is headed to The Space at Irondale from Jan. 27 to Feb. 8, 2026 The cast includes Emma Grimsley as {…}
Anne M. Edwards has been elected to the Lyric Opera of Chicago Board of Directors. Edwards, a Certified Public Accountant and former Controller of Lyric Opera of Chicago, was confirmed during the Board’s meeting on Oct. 15, 2025., Edwards commenced her career with KPMG in Chicago and New York before joining Bank of Boston. “Anne Edwards brings a rare combination {…}
The ABAO Bilbao Opera is set to present Xabier Anduaga and Nadine Sierra in a concert on Dec. 13, 2025. The concert which has the support of the Fundación BBVA, is sold out and will show the two stars in music from “La Traviata,” “Roméo et Juliette,” “La fille du régiment,” “L’elisir d’amore,” “La bohème,” and “I pagliacci.” They will {…}
Opera Australia is set to present a new production of Puccini’s “Turandot.” The new production will mark 100 years since it first premiered and will directed by Ann Yee, who makes her Australian debut as director. The production will star Rebecca Nash and Anna-Louise Cole in the title role alongside Young Woo Kim, Diego Torre and Rosario La Spina as {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. The holiday season has begun, which means operetta and this week there is an important remastering being released. There is also a new DVD of an important baroque work with a leading soprano. Die Fledermaus Decca rereleases Herbert Von Karajan’s classic 1960 “Die {…}
Pittsburgh Opera will open the 2026 year with the Pittsburgh premiere of Benjamin Britten’s “Curlew River.” The work will be performed between Jan. 24 and Feb. 1, 2026 and will star Erik Nordstrom, Logan Wagner, Matthew Soibelman, and Yazid Gray. Antony Walker will conduct a production by Dana Kinney. “Curlew River” tells a story of a woman driven mad by {…}
