Diana Damrau, Jamie Barton, & Elza van den Heever Among Highlights of London Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2019-20 Season

The London Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its slate for the 2019-20 season, which will take place at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. As per other season announcements, the focus here will be on opera singers and other such vocal showcases. Things get started with a performance of Verdi’s Requiem with Edward Gardner conducting. Elza van den Heever, Ekaterina Gubanova, {…}

Feb 19, 2019

Park Avenue Armory 2019 Recital Series Review: Ilker Arcayurek

On February 14, 2019, the Park Avenue Armory’s recital series saw the second performance of Austrian tenor Ilker Arcayurek, who made his U.S. recital debut with the performance just three days earlier. The recital featured a program comprised entirely of Franz Schubert songs and lieder, celebrating the composer’s vast body of poetry put to music. Spring & Storm His first {…}

Feb 18, 2019

Brian Jagde, Eva-Maria Westbroek & Ailyn Perez Headline Dutch National Opera’s 2019-20 Season

The Dutch National Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring a number of new productions, one world premiere, two company premieres, and a many role debuts by some of the top artists in the world. The season opens with “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” in a new production by Robert Carsen. Brandon Jovanovich stars as Canio in Leoncavallo’s masterpiece alongside Ailyn Pérez {…}

Feb 18, 2019

The French Institute / Alliance Française To Present Screening Of ‘Les Contes d’Hoffman’

The French Institute / Alliance Française (FIAF) will present an HD screening of Robert Carson’s production of Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffman,” performed at the Paris Opera during the 2016/17 season. The screening, a co-presentation with American Friends of The Paris Opera & Ballet in celebration of the company’s 350th anniversary, will be introduced by conductor Joseph Colaneri. Starring Ramón Vargas, the {…}

Feb 18, 2019

Theater Magdeburg Cancels ‘Otello’ Premiere

Germany’s Theater Magdeburg announced on its social media that it had to cancel its premiere of Verdi’s “Otello” on Feb. 16, 2019, due to the illness of both leading performers, Aldo Di Toro (Otello) and Raffaela Lintl (Desdemona). The theatre performed Puccini’s “La Bohème,” directed by Karen Stone, in its place. Baritone Gocha Abuladze, who was set to perform as {…}

Feb 18, 2019

Tatar Opera House Terminates Tenor Khachatur Badalyan’s Contract Because Of His Height

The Tatar Academic State Opera and Ballet Theatre has terminated its contract with Russian tenor Khachatur Badalyan. The reason? His short stature. According to Classical Music News RU, it was agreed between the Tatar Opera House and the Premier Art Agency, representing the tenor, that Badalyan would participate in four projects of the International Opera Festival F.I. Chaliapin. He would perform as Pinkerton in {…}

Feb 18, 2019

Artist Of The Week: Maria Agresta

(Image from MariaAgresta.com) The role of Anna Bolena is known as one of the most demanding roles in the soprano repertoire and also the beginning of Donizetti’s Tudor Queen trilogy. It’s a role that has become legendary and one that the greatest divas in the history of opera have taken on. Now Maria Agresta is ready for that challenge as she makes her role {…}

Feb 18, 2019

When To Watch Jonas Kaufmann In Met Opera’s ‘La Fanciulla Del West’ On PBS

Puccini’s “La Fanciulla del West” will be showcased on PBS’s Great Performances From The Met this Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The broadcast will kick off at 12 p.m. EDT and will showcase Jonas Kaufmann as Dick Johnson with Eva-Maria Westbroek as Minnie. This HD showcase was best known for being the long awaited return of Kaufmann to the Met after {…}

Feb 18, 2019

How To Watch ‘Idomeneo’ Live Stream From Vienna State Opera

On Feb. 22, 2019, audiences around the world will get a chance to experience Mozart’s “Idomeneo” live from the Vienna State Opera via the company’s official live stream service. This particular performance is set to star Bernard Richter, Rachel Frenkel, Irina Lungu, and Valentina Nafornita. Tomas Netopil conducts the production by Kasper Holten. The stream kicks off at 7 p.m. {…}

Feb 17, 2019

Lisette Oropesa, Sonya Yoncheva, Teatro all Scala, Vienna’s Volksoper Set To Shine At Savonlinna Opera Festival 2019

The Savonlinna Opera Festival in Finland, one of the premier summer opera festivals in Europe, is planning an unforgettable edition for the summer of 2019, including visits from Teatro all Scala and from Volksoper Wien, in addition to regular three productions, a concert, and a voice competition. Teatro alla Scala The legendary company from Milan will travel with its orchestra {…}

Feb 17, 2019

Interview: Soprano & Conductor Amy Owens’ Infinitely Curious & Joyful Journey

Amy Owens is the true definition of renaissance artist. As a coloratura soprano, she gravitates more to recitals and concert operas rather than staged productions. She released an electronic pop album this summer, right before attending the Linda and Mitch Hart Dallas Institute for Women Conductors. Just for the fun of it, Owens took on rare (and more difficult) version of {…}