On Jan.6 Hibla Germava will celebrate her 46th birthday with a special day off. The soprano made to sure to make it clear on her calendar that it was her birthday and that she would not be singing. In celebration of Germava’s birthday, Operawire takes a look at some of the achievements thus far in her career. 1994 First Prize {…}
This weekend a number of companies will remain on holiday breaks while many major theaters will feature great opera and great singers such as Juan Diego Florez, Brian Jagde, Renee Fleming and Marco Berti. Austria Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” will be performed at the Vienna State Opera on Friday evening followed by Bellini’s “La Sonnambula” starring OperaWire Artist of the Week Daniela Fally {…}
French soprano Géori Boué passed away on Thursday at the age of 98. The singer was born on October 16, 1918 in Toulouse and managed an exemplary career in her native country. She studied at the Music Conservatory in Touluse, taking on voice with Claude Jean, piano and harp. She made her debut in Toulouse in 1938 and rose to fame {…}
Plácido Domingo heads to the cinemas on Saturday as he returns to the role of Verdi’s “Nabucco” as part of the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD series. The performance will feature Domingo in the title role, for which he has garnered rave reviews. OperaWire noted that the role “fits him like a glove… At 75, his voice, while possessing an {…}
The weekend of Jan. 6-8 will see the return of many prominent opera companies around the country after a lengthy holiday hiatus. The Metropolitan Opera, which continues throughout the year, will feature three popular works including “La Boheme,” an HD performance of Verdi’s “Nabucco” and evening showcase of Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette” starring Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolo. Nabucco stars {…}
Opera and fashion are intrinsically linked. From the glamorous costumes that divas wearing on stage to the gowns and slick clothing they showcase on days off or at gala, there is a lot to see. Moreover, every reigning diva has her own style that makes for a never-ending treasure trove for fans. In 2013 Lady Maxwell founded Operafashion, a blog {…}
This review is written for the performance on Wednesday, January 4, 2017. Romeo and Juliette are undeniably the most famous couple in all of western literature and quite possibly the world. In hands of the famous bard, the two star-crossed teens fighting for their love in the midst of a family feud is one filled with tremendous emotional weight and {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has confirmed that David McVicar will direct two new productions for the 2017-18 season. In the January Playbill’s welcome letter, Gelb noted that McVicar would be directing a new production of Bellini’s “Norma” and Puccini’s “Tosca.” The two productions will mark the director’s seventh and eighth productions at the Metropolitan Opera. As noted last year in a {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has announced that Georges Prêtre has died at the age of 92. The company released a statement that said, “Georges Prêtre, one of the greatest conductors of our time, had a fifty-year relationship with La Scala. He made his debut in 1966 conducting a legendary production of Gounod’s ‘Faust’ with Mirella Freni, Nicolai Gedda and Nicolai {…}
Last night Pretty Yende made her debut on Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show.” The coloratura soprano performed the cavatina to Una voce poco fa” from Rossini’s “Il Barbiere Di Siviglia,” a role she is currently rehearsing at the Metropolitan Opera. The soprano performed alongside members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra with Maurizio Benini conducting. Colbert introduced the soprano with the cover {…}
On Jan. 4 Grace Bumbry will celebrate her 80th birthday. The mezzo soprano is recognized as one of the pioneers in the world of classical music who paved the way for future African-American opera and classical singers. The mezzo had the distinction of having a powerful and big voice that sang with commitment and intensity. She was also recognized for her agility and bel canto {…}
