Perhaps no artist in the modern opera world is as iconic as Plácido Domingo. He has defied expectations at every turn, taking on more roles (and continuing to do so) than any other singer history. He is also a conductor and impresario and has taken on many humanitarian and educational programs throughout his stories career. And his career is still {…}
Anna Netrebko will sing Violetta in Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the Opera National de Paris. While the 2017-18 season has not been announced, this morning an Instagram account entitled Netrebko, La Splendida released a picture of the 2017-18 program. Netrebko will perform alongside Charles Castronuovo and Placido Domingo. The soprano will alternate with Latvian soprano Marina Rebeka and she will sing {…}
Minnesotans craving more opera will have their prayers answered when the Skylark Opera Theatre reopens its doors this coming February. After a brief hiatus last year, the organization, which has been around for over 35 years is making a return with “The Tragedy of Carmen.” The work is a reimagined take of George Bizet’s classic opera “Carmen.” The adaptation is {…}
It’s the weekend and that means we are going to take a look at some of the popular posts on social media some of the world’s greatest singers. This week included a number of political posts as well as behind the scenes posts in rehearsals. Enjoy! Olga Peretyatko The Russian Coloratura soprano has been at work preparing the revival of {…}
Roberta Peters’ passing on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 was a rough day for the opera community. The soprano, who had such a memorable career at the Metropolitan, was an artist like no other. She was elegant both physically and vocally and her singing was undeniably fearless. She took on many repertoire classics but never had any qualms about adding her {…}
The Houston Grand Opera makes a big return as opera companies slowly but surely get prepared for the spring. Houston’s opening comes on Friday Jan. 20 with a production of John Adams’ “Nixon in China.” Scott Hendricks, Andriana Chuchman and Chad Shelton lead the production which will also take the stage on Sunday, Jan. 22. The Metropolitan Opera continues its {…}
On Jan. 20 Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States with million of Americans protesting the controversial figure. The inauguration ceremony has stirred controversy as many musical figures have refused to perform while others have been forced to withdraw. There are also a number of concerts that will be performed at the same {…}
Robert Peters has died at the age of 86. The coloratura soprano, who wowed audiences for her brilliant technique and vocal fireworks, died of Parkinson’s disease. The soprano was widely recognized at the Metropolitan Opera, where she made her debut earlier than expected on Nov. 17, 1950. Peters was phoned by General Manager Rudolph Bing who asked her to step in to replace Nadine Conner, {…}
Aleksandra Kurzak has leaked the Opera National de Paris 2017-18 Season. The soprano posted two roles that she will be singing next season on Facebook. Kurzak will make her role debut as Alice Ford in Verdi’s “Falstaff” and will sing alongside Bry Terfel, Francesco Demuro and Franco Vassallo. Fabio Luisi will conduct the run, which opens on Oct. 26. The soprano {…}
This article was a joint collaboration between David & Francisco Salazar. “I like playing the villain.” That quote, as generic as it is, has been uttered in some variation by numerous actors throughout history. There is an excitement that comes with being the bad guy or girl. Of committing acts onscreen or onstage that you could never imagine doing out {…}
I imagine that upon reading the title of this article, you were probably confused about the arbitrary pairing of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” and Massenet’s “Manon.” The former is an opera in the Bel Canto style, firmly looking backwards in both its subject matter and style while the latter is one of Manon and French opera’s more progressive operas. The former {…}
