(Photo: Monika Rittershaus) To mark the 700th anniversary of Dante Aligheri’s death in September 1321, the Aix-en-Provence festival staged the world premier of French composer Pascal Dusapin’s opera “Il Viaggio, Dante,” based upon the poet’s iconic narrative poem “The Divine Comedy.” To say that this is an ambitious undertaking is an understatement, especially as the work has been compressed into {…}
The Rossini Opera Festival is set to broadcast some of its productions on Rai. The festival will first broadcast a production of “Le Comte Ory” starring Juan Diego Flórez in the title role alongside Nahuel Di Pierro, Maria Kataeva, Andrzej Filończyk, Julie Fuchs, Monica Bacelli, and Anna-Doris Capitelli. The opening performance will be broadscast on Rai 3 radio on August {…}
Brazilian soprano Laura de Souza passed away Saturday, July 30 at the age of 64, in Porto Alegre, Brazil. One of the most renowned dramatic sopranos Brazil has ever produced, de Souza excelled in Verdi and Puccini heroines, several Wagnerian roles, and was also acclaimed for her portrayal of the title role in Richard Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos.” De Souza’s {…}
The Teatro Lirico di Cagliari has announced its 2023 season. Cilea’s “Gloria” will star Ramaz Chikviladze, Mattia Denti, Anastasia Bartoli, Valentina Boi, Franco Vassallo, Ivan Inverardi, Carlo Ventre, and Denis Pivnitsky. Francesco Cilluffo conducts the production by Antonio Albanese. Performance Dates: Feb. 10-19, 2023 Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” will star Dave Monaco, Chuan Wang, Christian Senn, Andrea Vincenzo Bonsignore, Giulio Mastrototaro, {…}
On July 28, Nina Stemme was awarded the title of Bayerische Kammersängerin. Following a performance of “Die Frau ohne Schatten” in Munich, General Director Serge Dorny gave the soprano the highest musical distinction in Bavaria. Stemme has performed at the Bayerische Staatsoper over the years in such roles as Isolde, Elektra and Brunnhilde. She is one of the most sought-after {…}
Lyric Fest’s 20th anniversary season, which coincides with its 2022-23 edition, has been announced. This season will feature a world premiere opera by Damien Geter and several milestone celebrations. “Elysian Fields” is the season opener. Soprano Magdalena Kuźma, and mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce will perform solo and duets, entitled “dawns, visions, and dreams.” The young artists will be joined by Laura {…}
Credit: Mihaela Bodlovic In part of its 75th season, Edinburg International Festival will offer free digital programming. The “At Home” series running August 5 -28 will feature five commissioned short films, two full-length concerts, a series of exclusive music sessions, and behind-the-scenes interviews with leading artists. The vocal selections include selections performed by Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska and Elgar’s “Dream of {…}
Raven Chacon, a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, performer, and installation artist from Fort Defiance, Navajo Nation, composed a series of 13 scores as portraits dedicated to different contemporary American Indian, First Nations, or Mestiza women working in music performance, composition, or sound art. Currently on view in the 2022 Whitney Biennial, this work creates space for better understanding the Yankton Dakota {…}
Portland Opera has commissioned composer Dave Ragland and librettist Mary McCallum to create a new opera for the “Portland Opera to Go tour” this fall. “Beatrice,” a 50-minute work which will be inspired by the life and story of Beatrice Morrow Cannady, will bow on Sept. 17 and 18 at the Hampton Opera Center. The work has been written for {…}
The Greek-Russian conductor Teodor Currentzis has announced a new project entitled “Utopia.” Vienna’s Der Standard is reporting that the controversial conductor is creating this project which is not an orchestra in the usual sense of the word, but “a unique creative community of like-minded people who have dedicated themselves to the search for the best sound and the true spirit {…}
New York based Teatro Grattacielo has announced a major cast change for its upcoming production of “Don Giovanni.” The production, which opens on August 5, 2022, will star Suchan Kim in the title role. He will take over for Joe Lodato, who was originally scheduled. “We wish Joe Lodato well and a speedy recovery and are so pleased that Suchan {…}