It is hard to imagine Russian music without Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Russian literature without poet Alexander Pushkin. Tchaikovsky’s opera “The Queen of Spades,” based on the eponymous novella by Pushkin, is one of the most important of the existing operas. Its beautiful and dark music leaves hardly any hope at the end, revealing a very fatalistic, and very Slavic, way {…}
Tito Capobianco has died at the age of 87. The famed director died of lung cancer in Florida. Born in Argentina, Capobianco grew up in a family of musicians and studied at the Teatro Argentino de la Plata, where he graduated from being a super to singing baritone roles and also learned stage managing. He would make his debut with the {…}
Although very few people are now aware of the fact, Antonio Lotti, during his lifetime, was one of Venice’s most highly regarded opera composers. Today he has largely been forgotten, along with his operas and other compositions, and is now known only to the dedicated followers of the Venetian tradition. Born in 1667, Lotti established himself in both his home {…}
In the early 2000s, the opera world has seen a surge of Latin American tenors taking over the landscape. Ramón Vargas was among the first to surge. The Mexican tenor, born on Sept. 11, 1960, started his vocal education in México City before going on to win the Carlo Morelli National Vocal Competition, which earned him a debut in Monterrey {…}
“I saw the Queen of England weep!” It is true, at least in the brilliant portrayal of Elizabeth I by soprano, Sondra Radvanovsky, in the San Francisco Opera’s production of “Roberto Devereaux.” In Donizetti’s third and most popular Tudor Queen opera (“Anna Bolena” and “Maria Stuarda” being the other two), Radvanovsky sings with moving beauty as she dramatized the role {…}
The Vienna State Opera’s hugely popular live stream series will continue through the 2018-19 season with Carl Maria von Weber’s “Der Freischutz.” The performance on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, will be led by conductor Sebastian Weigle and will feature Anna Gabler as Agathe, Tomasz Konieczny as Kaspar, Christopher Ventris as Max, Falk Struckmann as Ein Eremit, and Hans Peter Kammerer {…}
It’s been a whirlwind few years for Jennifer Rowley. The soprano, who had a huge breakout at the Metropolitan Opera in “Cyrano de Bergerac” during the 2016-17 season, has since been in demand all over the world creating memorable portrayal in such roles as title roles as Tosca and Medea. This week, she brings the role of Leonora to the {…}
On September 30, 2018, The Orchestra Now (TON) will take to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to launch their 2018 fall season. The concerts come as part of TON’s “Sight & Sound” series held at the museum. The September 30 performance, titled “Mahler and the Feminine Ideal,” will feature the art of Klimt, Schiele, and Picasso with Mahler’s “Kindertotenlier,” which {…}
The New York City Opera and American Opera Projects are teaming up to cast the upcoming production of “As One.” The opera, which is set to be performed at the New York company in May is searching for a singer who can portray the mezzo part of Hannah. In a press statement, the company noted that the singer must have {…}
The Florida Grand Opera has announced that single tickets for the company’s 2018-19 season are now on sale. The company noted that single tickets are priced from $12 to $250, and can be purchased online at www.FGO.org, by calling the box office. Patrons will also be able to purchase tickets in person at Florida Grand Opera’s box office, located at {…}
The Atlanta Opera has announced the young singers that will be a part of its 2018-19 Studio Artists while also announcing that Rolando Salazar will be the company’s Chorus Master. Per a press release, the Atlanta Opera Studio, which will enter its third year, features one returning artist and five new artists. The new artists include soprano Anna Koźlakiewicz, mezzo {…}