Written in collaboration with David Salazar It’s been years in the making – Anna Netrebko singing “Tosca.” The soprano has been outspoken about her dislike for the character and about her doubts singing the role, but it’s a character that audiences have been dying to see her sing. Afterall, who but Netrebko can be considered the quintessential diva of the {…}
Fiorenza Cossotto is one of the great Italian mezzo-sopranos of all-time. Born on April 22, 1935, Cossotto attended the Turn Academy and made her opera debut in the world premiere performance of Poulenc’s now-iconic “Dialogues des Carmélites” at La Scala in 1957. From there she went on to have a prolific international career at such companies as the Met Opera, {…}
“La Bohème” is arguably the most popular opera in the world. It is full of intense intimacy, universal emotions, and ultimately allows us to revel characters that we, at some point, have known and experienced. For soprano Elizabeth Caballero, that Puccini classic is almost akin to a leitmotif in her life. On March 2, 2018, one of her greatest artistic {…}
Soprano Julie Fuchs has announced on her Facebook page that she will no longer be performing in Staatsoper Hamburg’s upcoming production of Mozart’s “Die Zauberflote.” “Today, I have an unexpected announcement to make,” writes Fuchs. “The Staatsoper Hamburg has unfortunately informed me just this week that the artistic integrity of the Jette Steckel production of ‘Die Zauberflöte’ cannot be maintained {…}
Leonard Warren, born on April 21, 1911, was one of the greatest American baritones in opera history. He is also widely remembered for one of the most tragic deaths in the artform. Warren grew up in the Bronx and worked in his father’s fur business early in his life. At 24, he joined the chorus of the Radio City Music {…}
William Shakespeare, the great Bard, was baptized on April 26, 1564, and many have attributed his birthday to April 23 of that year. He would die on that same day, April 23, 1616, after becoming arguably the most influential writer of his day. To this day he remains in that pole position, though not without a slew of controversies over {…}
Argentine mezzo-soprano Bernarda Fink is set to grace the stage of the Teatro Mayor in Bogota. Fink will join the Camarata Salzburg and maestro Gregory Ahss in a program that will include works from Arvo Pärt, Antonin Dvorak, Johann Sebastian Bach and Franz Schubert The concert will begin with “Fratres” by Arvo Pärt, a piece which was commissioned by the Salzburg Festival {…}
The Opera de Monte-Carlo has announced its 2018-19 season, featuring a number of important stars and numerous productions. Here is a look at the unique season Monte Carlo will offer. The season opens with an evening entitled Opera-Comique at the Chapelle Musicale Reine-Elizabeth. Performance Dates: Oct. 13-14, 2018 A screening of “La Veuve Joyeuse” continues the season. Performance Dates: Oct. 25, {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago is going to join forces with Chicago Urban League’s collaborative program, EmpowerYouth! Igniting Creativity Through Arts, to present “Empower,” an original opera. The work was developed with local African-American students and will be showcased on May 31, 2018, at the Lyric Opera House. The work follows a group of students who fight against a reporter {…}
Opera Columbus has announced its 2018-19 season, which is set to include three productions. Among them is a world premiere in the Southern Theatre. Here is a look at what to expect. The season opens with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” in a production by an all-women creative team. The production will be a modern, tradition-breaking interpretation that should captivate audiences. Performance {…}
Mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack, who opened Opera Philadelphia’s 2017-2018 season in the title role of the new opera “Elizabeth Cree,” is set to close the season in the title role Bizet’s “Carmen.” The acclaimed mezzo-soprano will star in a new production by Paul Curran, who last helmed Verdi’s “La Traviata” for Philadelphia. Mack and Curran will be accompanied by a cast of rising stars including Evan {…}