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 {…}
The Lyric Opera of Kansas City kicked off the New Year celebrating awards to two prominent Resident Artists. The artists in question are Samantha Gossard and John Viscardi. The former was the recipient of the William Matheus Sullivan Musical Foundation Award, which awards 15 $12,000 grants to young artists. It also allows them to participate in a five-year program of {…}
The New York City Opera kicks off its season on Friday Jan. 6, with a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater. The run will feature a total of 10 performances, including two matinees, two late afternoon shows and six evening performances. The first set of shows kick off on January 6-8. After a short {…}
It has been a big week for opera singers on the national level. Just a few days ago Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel was knighted by the Queen and this week will see two major singers get the same recognition in Canada. The artists in question are Michael Schade and Russell Braun, who are now appointees to The Order of Canada. {…}
The Seattle Opera has announced it 2017-18 season featuring five operas, two of which will see art and real-life come together as one. The season opens August 5 with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” starring Lianna Haroutounian and Alexia Voulgaridou alternating the title role of Cio-Cio San. Alexey Dolgov and Dominik Chenes will sing the role of Pinkerton while Weston Hurt will sing the {…}
Angela Gheorghiu and Ramon Vargas will reunite for the opening opera gala concert at the International Music Festival of Cesky Krumlov. The concert which will take place on July 3 will conducted by Leoš Svárovský and will feature the PKF – Prague Philharmonia, However, details of the concert have not been announced. Gheorghiu and Vargas have performed in many productions together, most {…}
30 performances. Seven cities. Five house debuts and two role debuts. That is what tenor Brian Jagde faces in 2017. The first half of 2017 that is. The tenor, who has been growing in prominence over the last few years, is slated for a monstrous calendar year that will see him make more house debuts than he ever has before. {…}
