The Bayerische Staatsoper will live stream the Dec. 2 performance of Verdi’s “Otello” via its Staatsoper.TV. The free transmission will kick off at 7 p.m. local time (1 p.m. EST and 10 a.m. PST) and is set to feature Jonas Kaufmann in the title role. Anja Harteros will star as Desdemona and Gerald Finley will round out the cast as {…}
Latvian National Opera and Ballet will showcase its 100 Anniversary Gala on Nov. 30, 2018. Those who can’t attend the event can still watch it live on OperaVision. The event will feature such opera stars as Dinara Alieva, Inga Kinca, Liudmyla Monastyrska, Marina Rebeka, Olesya Petrova, Zanda Svede, Kalvis Kalinins, Egils Silins, Krisjanis Norvelis, all under the musical direction of {…}
Audiences around the globe will get a chance to check out Franco Zeffirelli’s iconic production of “La Bohème,” live from the Vienna State Opera on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, as part of the company’s live streaming service. The famed production will feature Benjamin Bernheim as Rodolfo, Marina Rebeka as Mimì, Clemens Unterreiner as Marcello, and Mariam Battistelli as Musetta. Bernheim {…}
An audience favorite for the ages, Gioachino Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” has seen numerous iterations over the years. The young Dutch director Lotte de Beer’s new production at Dutch National Opera is a French Revolution-themed affair that focuses on the female perspective via Rosina. In the beginning, we see the young Rosina denied a cupcake by Doctor Bartolo in {…}
Megan Marino still hadn’t quite committed to a life as an opera singer after completing her Master Degree at the University of Colorado. “Some of my greatest artistic development happened once I was out of grad school for a couple years,” she told OperaWire in a recent interview. She recalled taking a loan out against her car to buy a piano while living {…}
Premiering on November 25, 1847, “Martha” is adapted from a ballet composed by Friedrich von Flotow titled “Harriette, ou la servant de Greenwiche.” The ballet, which premiered three years earlier at the Paris Opera Ballet, is itself based on a story written by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges. Though not a regular in the repertory of opera houses today, “Martha” has {…}
Donizetti, born on Nov. 29, 1797, is one of the major figures of the bel canto era. He is remembered today for a plethora of operas that retain firm standing in the operatic repertory. His music is renowned for its melodious nature but one of the overrated aspects of his works is that they feature rich and iconic characters. We {…}
Even before you stepped into the Metropolitan Opera on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, you knew who the star of the night was destined to be. The entire marketing campaign run by the Metropolitan Opera in anticipation of “Il Trittico” had seemingly focused on one person and one person only. The company had announced a special ceremony would take place at {…}
Few tenors can boast the vocal technique and agility of Alfredo Kraus. Born on Nov. 24, 1927, in the Canary Islands of Spain, he started piano lessons at age four and was in the school choir at age eight. He started off learning Zarzuela but eventually made his professional debut as the Duke in “Rigoletto” in Cairo in 1956. From {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Alexander Birch Elliott will sing the remaining performances of “Les Pêcheurs de Perles.” Mariusz Kwiecien, who was originally cast, as Zurga will sit out due to illness. Kwiecien reportedly sang the first three performances, but constantly withdrew at the first interval due to his illness. The Polish baritone had sung the original run of {…}
The holiday season is officially underway. For many, that means going out and buying a plethora of gifts for loved ones. But what about that opera lover in your life? What do you buy him or her? There’s a ton to choose from and this year featured a plethora of amazing recordings to choose from. So to give you a {…}