Gustavo Dudamel is set to conduct Steven Speilberg’s upcoming adaptation of “West Side Story.” The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that the Venezuelan conductor will conduct the score that Oscar nominee David Newman will arrange for the new adaptation. Tony Award-winning composer Jeanine Tesori will work with the cast on vocals, while Matt Sullivan will be the music supervisor. “When asked to {…}
Marco Vratogna was let go by the Wiener Staatsoper in the upcoming revival of “Andrea Chénier.” According to Vratogna’s manager, the baritone was written out of Friday’s big-screen broadcast of “Andrea Chénier” for turning up late for rehearsal while the company noted that the baritone never turned up. According to Vratogna’s team, the baritone notified the company that he would {…}
On May 15, 2019, at the 1300-seat Balboa Theatre, San Diego Opera presented tenor Stephen Costello and baritone Stephen Powell in an evening of arias and duets accompanied by the full San Diego Symphony Orchestra conducted by Bruce Stasyna. Although titles are not possible in this house, the program contained all the words sung in both the original language and {…}
Strauss’ masterful “Die Frau ohne Schatten” will take the stage of the Vienna State Opera on Saturday, May 25. And while many will get a shot at experiencing the opera live, others will see it via the company’s live stream service. This must-see opera features a cast of major A-list stars including Stephen Gould, Camilla Nylund, Evelyn Herlitzius, Sebastian Holececk, {…}
This week the Wiener Staatsoper is set to open one of most anticipated productions of the 2018-19 season. The production is especially anticipated as it features a stellar cast with three of the most acclaimed dramatic sopranos currently performing in the world. Specifically, Nina Stemme is set for her role debut as the Barak’s wife, a role that is especially {…}
Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” will be showcased via the Vienna State Opera’s live stream service on May 21, 2019. The famed Rossini comedy will star Juan Diego Flórez in a role that he championed in the earlier part of his career. It will be interesting to see the tenor return to this iconic interpretation after having moved into heavier {…}
The Icelandic Opera’s production of “La Traviata” will get a live stream via OperaVision on May 24, 2019. The stream kicks off at 7 p.m. local time. That’s around 1 p.m. EDT and 10 a.m. PST for the start time. It will be available for repeat viewings on Opera Vision until Nov. 23, 2019. The opera stars Herdís Anna Jónasdóttir {…}
Update: Marina Rebeka will not replace Sonya Yoncheva. Per the soprano: Dear Friends, there is information going around that I’ll be replacing @sonyayoncheva at #SavonlinnaOperaFestival on July 18. I’d like to clarify that at that time I’ll be in rehearsals for #SimonBoccanegra at @SbgFestival, and therefore my participation in the gala is not true. Sonya Yoncheva has pulled out of {…}
Anna Netrebko graced the Croisette at the Cannes Film Festival on May 17,2019. The diva, accompanied by her husband Yusif Eyvzaov, graced the red carpet for an exclusive Chopard party. The soprano and her husband performed at the event in duets from “La Boheme” and “La Traviata.” The exclusive event was held at the Hotel Martinez where a number {…}
Zinka Milanov and Birgit Nilsson are two of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Not only were they superstar sopranos (albeit of different repertory), but they share a birthday. So in celebration of their special day, here’s a little quiz in which you’re tasked with figuring out which of the two divas the prompt refers too. Of course, don’t {…}
Opera, Song and Music Theater is quivering, twisting, and turning. Could it be that we are in an renaissance? There is a new blood pulsing through its veins. Opera and theater makers are pulling at its heart, resuscitating our interest and taking us to diverse locations with as yet unclassifiable languages and forms. The Xen of Opera looks at the {…}