We all know about Verdi, Donizetti, Rossini, Bellini, Puccini, Giordano, and the great Italian composers of the 19th century. We often attribute opera’s greatest gems to them, remembering every gorgeous melody and the potent emotions that they create for us. But they don’t deserve all the credit. In fact, without the text, most of these composers don’t write their music. {…}
This review is for the performance on Friday, January 12th, 2018. In keeping with the spirit of verismo, Metropolitan Opera’s production of “Tosca” offered one of the most realistic portrayals of Puccini’s celebrated work. The set may as well have been a window to another time thanks to the care taken by the creative team headed by John Macfarlane. As {…}
Decca has released the full track list of Joseph Calleja’s new album “Verdi.” The album, which is slated to released by Decca Classics on Feb. 2, 2018, and marks his first in six years, will include “Di quella pira” and “Ah! Si, ben mio…” from “Il Trovatore,” “Già nella notte densa” from “Otello,” and “Celeste Aida” from the opening scene {…}
Aleksandra Kurzak has canceled today’s performance of “Pagliacci.” The Metropolitan Opera announced via Twitter that Kurzak was ill and as a result, Danielle Pastin will be replacing her. Pastin made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Masha in “The Queen of Spades” in 2011 and was also featured as Frasquita in the Met’s production of “Carmen” in 2012 and 2013. This season she {…}
Franco Zeffirelli has been accused of sexual misconduct. The legendary opera and film director has been accused by actor Johnathon Schaech. The actor told People magazine that when he was 22-years-old and worked on the film “Sparrow” in 1992, Zeffirelli had tried to seduce him from the start. And while he was filming the movie in Sicily, the actor said {…}
Juan Diego Flórez is one of the greatest tenors in the world. Of that there can be no doubt. Born on Jan. 13, the tenor has gone on to establish himself at every major opera house in the world in an ever-evolving repertoire that ranges from Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini all the way to the great French composers such as {…}
The Metropolitan Opera Guild has announced new programs for the 2018 season. Among the new programs added to the Schedule are “In the Mouth of the Wolf,” “Maria Callas at Ninety-Five – A Birthday Salute,” and “Celebrating Historic Met Moments.” “We are pleased to announce some new and additional programming for Spring 2018,” said Stuart Holt, Director of School Programs and {…}
Alessio Arduini has canceled the matinee performance of “Pagliacci” at the Metropolitan Opera. The Met announced via Twitter that due to illness the Italian baritone would not be able to sing the role of Silvio in the Met’s broadcast. As a result, Alexey Lavrov will take over. The Russian baritone is a graduate of the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist {…}
Ildar Abdrazakov will open the 2018-19 Teatro alla Scala season. La Stagione announced the news in a monthly opera calendar. The opera will be directed by Davide Livermore, who will be directing a new production of “Don Pasquale” at La Scala this season, and will be conducted by Riccardo Chailly. According to the article, Sonya Yoncheva is rumored to be {…}
George Gagnidze is one of today’s leading baritones and one of the Metropolitan Opera’s leading singers. Throughout the past few years, he has been invited to some of the most prestigious theaters in the world including Teatro alla Scala, Teatro Real Madrid, and the Deutsche Oper Berlin among others. This season he returns to the Met for a double bill {…}
Placido Domingo will sing the title role in “Gianni Schicchi” at the Metropolitan Opera. The tenor revealed in an interview with Beckmesser that he will portray the title character in celebration of “Il Triticco’s” centenary in the 2017-19 season. Domingo has already portrayed Gianni Schicchi to great success at the Los Angeles Opera where he scored rave reviews. Critics said, {…}