Leo Nucci has canceled performances of “Rigoletto” at the Ópera de Tenerife. The company announced that Nucci had canceled performances of his signature role due to personal reasons. As a result, Luis Cansino will take over the run, scheduled for November 19 through 23, 2019. Cansino is a recognized baritone who has performed at the Teatro Maestranza, Teatro Cervantes, Welsh {…}
(Credit: Catherine Ashmore) Vittorio Grigolo has been suspended from the Metropolitan Opera. The company announced in a statement that Grigolo was suspended from all future engagements. The Met Opera stated, “Following the alleged incident reported by the Royal Opera House concerning Vittorio Grigolo, the Met will be suspending him with immediate effect from all future performances, pending the outcome of {…}
The Corsara Artists has announced the complete cast for its inaugural production of Menotti’s “The Medium.” The newly-founded company announced that Olga Vresca would be singing the role of The Spirit and would be covering the role of Monica. Wesley Ray Thomas would be Mr Gobineau, while Kate Norigian would be portraying Mrs Gobineau. Afanasy Pro rounds out the cast as Toby. {…}
The New York Festival of Song is set to present a concert entitled “Lyrics of Shakespeare.” The concert scheduled for Oct. 16, 2019 at Merkin Hall is set to present a 75-minute evening that illuminates Shakespeare’s classic poetry with musical settings by Berlioz, Dankworth, Kabalevsky, Poulenc, Sondheim, R. Staruss and others. The concert will feature soloists mezzo-soprano Naomi Louisa O’Connell and bass Matt Boehler, {…}
Plácido Domingo has withdrawn from all performances of Verdi’s “Macbeth.” In a statement to the New York Times, Domingo said that he was not returning to the Metropolitan Opera amidst recent allegations of sexual harassment. Domingo told the New York Times, “I made my debut at the Metropolitan Opera at the age of 27 and have sung at this magnificent theater {…}
While the environment outside the Met Opera on opening night was rather subdued in comparison to previous years, there could be no denying the environment inside of the sold-out house. Everywhere you turned, the opera on hand was a major topic of conversation with great excitement over what it might bring. The Gershwin classic, “Porgy and Bess,” hasn’t been at {…}
The Opéra Comique has announced its 2020 season featuring a number of rarely performed works. The season with Christian Boltanski, Jean Kalman, and Franck Krawczyk’s “Fosse.” The piece is set to star soprano Karen Vourc’h and cellist Sonia Wieder-Atherton. Peformance Dates: Jan. 10-11, 2020 François-Adrien Boieldie’s “La Dame Blanche” will be performed in a production by Pauline Bureau. Conducted by Julien {…}
(Credit: Julia Wesely) The Cleveland Orchestra has announced a new five-year extension of Franz Welser-Möst’s contract as Music Director. The new contract will continue the conductor and orchestra’s partnership that began in 2002 and will now be extended until 2027. “I am delighted to announce this extended contract, ensuring The Cleveland Orchestra’s acclaimed partnership with Franz Welser-Möst for an additional {…}
(credit: Igor Studio) Franco Fagioli has canceled his participation in “Orlando” tour. The Théâtre des Champs-Elysées announced that Argentinian countertenor would not be participating in tour where he was scheduled to sing the title role of Handel’s “Orlando”. As a result, French countertenor Christophe Dumaux will replace Fagioli in Paris while Max Emanuel Cencic will takeover performances in Essen, Verona, and Madrid. {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera) Venera Gimadieva has withdrawn from performances of Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the Bayerische Staatsoper. The company announced that Gimadieva was ill and therefore had to withdraw from performances scheduled on Sept. 25, 29, and Oct. 2, 2019. As a result, Ailyn Pérez will take over performances in the title role. Pérez is currently performing {…}
(Credit: Alex D. James) Vittorio Grigolo has been suspended by the Royal Opera House. The company suspended the Italian tenor for an alleged groping during the Royal Opera’s Japan tour. The company stated, “following an alleged incident on September 18 involving Vittorio Grigolo, the Royal Opera House opened an immediate investigation and Mr. Grigolo was suspended.” The Royal Opera has also {…}
