In its 10th season, Against the Grain Theatre is set to take Puccini’s “La Bohème” on tour all across Canada and even live stream a performance via CBC Arts on Oct. 13, 2019. The live stream will be Canada’s first-ever professional opera livestream. The tour will take place between Sept. 27 through Nov. 7 with the first performance in the {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl / Metropolitan Opera) Vittorio Grigolo has put out a statement after being suspended from the Royal Opera and Metropolitan Opera. The tenor posted a statement via social media that noted, “Dear Friends, First off, I want to give thanks to my fans and friends for the numerous messages, acts of affection and support. I remain calm. My {…}
Decca Classics has announced Angela Gheorghiu’s latest CD. The company announced the album entitled “Plaisir d’amour,” which is set to celebrate the Romanian soprano’s 25th anniversary since her first recording. The soprano stated, “Celebrating 25 years since my debut recording with Decca Classics, my very first record label, I am thrilled to present my new recital album – Plaisir d’amour {…}
The Verdi Chorus is set to showcase a new program “Sound and Fury” as part of its 36th season.The event, set for Nov. 16-17 at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica, California, will feature Alex Boyer, Shana Blake Hill, and Malcolm MacKenzie as guest soloists. The program will center on operatic sequences from Verdi’s “Otello” and “Il Trovatore,” {…}
(Credit: © BAUS) Canadian director Robert Carsen is one of the most solicited directors in every major opera house nowadays and he proved why in his new production of the famous double bill of “I Paglliacci” and “Cavalleria Rusticana,” which opened the opera season at the Dutch National Opera. It is a production where he plays with theatre-within-theatre concept, making {…}
(Credits: Vytautas Abramauskas) “Thanks for coming to our audition,” a charismatic bellboy told visitors in the hall before the performance. With a quirky smile, he handed everyone an old school ticket with a number on it. “We are looking for musicians, singers, and servants.” That’s how an operatic performance of Telemann’s “Pimpinone” began last Sunday during this year’s Banchetto Musicale {…}
It’s a big weekend in North America with four major companies opening their doors for the first time in 2019-20. As such, we have a plethora of major works to recommend, including two new operas that are sure to fulfill the interest of those who want something a bit different from the familiar path. Here are our top five*** opera {…}
This weekend we look at a number of classic operas in some of the world’s most notable production houses, as well as one of the great festivals in the world. Rusalka – Theater an der Wien, Austria Maria Bengtsson stars in Dvořák’s masterpiece in a new production by Amélie Niermeyer. The soprano starts alongside Ladislav Elgr as the Prince, Günther {…}
Plácido Domingo is receiving a prestigious award in Mexico city. The Spanish singer is receiving the Premio Batuta for his excellence in classical music. Domingo will receive the award on Oct. 6, 2019, and has already confirmed he will be in attendance for the ceremony. The award will also be handed to Michael Nyman, Leo Brouwer, Sergio Berlioz, David Rodríguez {…}
José Carreras has come out in defense of Plácido Domingo. In an interview with the Portugues press, Carreras stated that throughout the years he has known Domingo, he has never seen Domingo harass any women. He stated, “I have never seen Domingo act in an incorrect way.” Carreras is the latest performer and colleague who has come out publically to {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera) It was supposed to be the hottest ticket in town. It was the first time Anna Netrebko and Plácido Domingo would grace the Metropolitan Opera together in a production. But we all know how that turned out. For weeks, Met audiences had no clue what to expect. The company said nothing as it awaited {…}