(Credit: Jason Homa) The Wexford Festival has unveiled its 69th Festival, which includes a program inspired by the work of William Shakespeare. It all kicks off with “Ein Wintermärchen,” a work by Karl Goldmark. The performance, which will take place that O’Reilly Theatre, stars Sergy Radchenko, Sophie Gordeladze, Deanna Breiwick, Simon Thorpe, Julian Hubbard, Rory Musgrave, Lancelot Nomura, and Zlata {…}
(Credit: Bill Cooper) Anticipation was already at fever pitch for this new production of “Fidelio” in London, even before Oliver Mears, Royal Opera Artistic Director, appeared on stage before curtain up, evidently the bearer of bad news. “Please don’t be alarmed,” he reassured: Tenor Jonas Kaufmann only had a cold, would indeed sing, and asked for our indulgence. “We’ve been {…}
The Glyndebourne Opera Cup has announced the names of its final six contestants. The final, which takes place on March 7, 2020, will feature South African mezzo-soprano Siphokazi Molteno, South Korean tenor Sungho Kim, American Baritone Edward Nelson, UK soprano Alexandra Lowe, American tenor Eric Ferring, and Chinese soprano Meigui Zhang. The jury for the final will include Stephen Langridge, {…}
(Image Source: Official website) The great critic Edward Said saw Mozart and Da Ponte’s “Così fan tutte” as a work of irreconcilable contradictions: astonishingly tender in its explorations of longing, fear, and regret, yet also strangely cold and unredeemed; a world of libertinage and manipulation that burns forward without any clear moral purpose. The frivolity of its scenario is powerfully {…}
(Credit: Brandon Patoc) Esa Pekka-Salonen, Music Director Designate of the San Francisco Symphony, conducted a largely French program this past week with soprano Julia Bullock. At the core of the program were two vocal cycles including Britten’s Illuminations and Ravel’s setting of poems by Mallarmé. Bookending these pieces was Henry Purcell’s Funeral March reframed by Steven Stuckey, and the Ballet {…}
This week sees the release of two debut albums and a special performance of “Die Walküre.” Mélodies Adriana Gonzalez releases her first album on Audaux Records accompanied by pianist Iñaki Encina Oyón, who is well known for performing neglected and unknown repertoire. The album will delve into early 20th-century French Mélodie with a focus on the exceptional expressive qualities of {…}
The Oper Leipzig has announced its 2020-21 season featuring four new productions, a Wagner festival, and the Ring Cycle. Here is a look at the productions for the season. Premieres Ulf Schirmer conducts Katharina Wagner’s new production of Wagner’s “Lohengrin.” The cast includes Michael Weinius in the title role, Jennifer Holloway as Elsa, Kathrin Göring as Ortrud and Simon Neal {…}
The Opéra National de Paris has issued instructions to visitors to prevent the further outbreak of coronavirus. The opera issued a statement noting “The Paris Opera wishes to inform audiences and visitors to the Opéra Bastille and the Palais Garnier that a number of public health measures aimed at limiting the propagation of the epidemic have been set in place {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has confirmed that two more artists have tested positive for Covid-19. Due to more employees testing positive, the company has ordered the entire staff of the Teatro alla Scala to work from home. According to early reports, a young tenor who was a graduate of the company’s Accademia has tested positive, while the second patient, who is {…}
(Credit: Elle Logan) The Portland Opera has announced its 2020-21 season, which includes five operas and major concert event. “We are thrilled to announce the lineup of our 2020/21 season and the triumphant return of opera to Portland’s beautiful rainy months,” General Director Sue Dixon stated in a press release. “This past year has been one of reflection and listening. As {…}
Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble has announced the casts for the two shows which will make up the company’s “Love for Truth” festival in August 2020. Opening the festival on August 21 will be the East Coast premiere of “Juana” by composer Carla Lucero and librettist Alicia Gaspar de Alba. The cast will feature Luisamaria Hernandez in the title role, with Anna {…}