Of “The Five” Russian composers, Modest Mussorgsky’s legacy is arguably the most enduring and innovative. Born on March 21, 1839 in Karevo to a wealthy family. He started piano lessons at age six and by age nine was already taking on works of the great composers such as Franz Liszt. At age 10, he went to Saint Petersburg where he {…}
Plácido Domingo is set to return to the San Francisco Opera to celebrate his 50th anniversary with the company. The legendary tenor will be joined on stage by guest artists who will be announced at a later date and accompanied by the San Francisco Opera Orchestra under the baton of Spanish conductor Jordi Bernàcer. Domingo made his debut with the San Francisco {…}
Dove Cameron, a musical theatre star and film/TV actress, will star as Clara Johnson in LA Opera’s production of Adam Guettel’s Broadway musical “The Light at the Piazza.” She will perform alongside Renée Fleming, who has been cast as Clara’s mother Margaret. The two stars will take the stage together for the first time in June at London’s Royal Festival Hall, before the production travels to {…}
On March 27, legendary soprano Edita Gruberova will perform in her final staged opera performance. The Bayerische Staatsoper announced that Gruberova will sing her final Elisabetta in “Roberto Devereux” saying goodbye to staged opera. The soprano has been giving final performances throughout Europe as she prepares to retire altogether from singing. During the opening performance on March 17, 2019, the {…}
Concerts at Saint Thomas will present four performances next month. First up is a guest performance by the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, which will take place at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue. According to the press release, “this marks the choir’s final tour with currant Director of Music Stephen Cleobury, who will retire after 37 years, and whose position will {…}
This week, baroque dominates the forthcoming releases. One of the new albums showcases the latest solo effort by one of today’s leading countertenors, while the other showcases a recent production from an Italian festival. Cavalli: Ombra mai fù Countertenor Philippe Jaroussky releases a new album made up of vocal and instrumental highlights from more than a dozen of Francesco Cavalli’s {…}
BBC Symphony Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor Dalia Stasevska will return to the Orchestra of Opera North for two concerts featuring the music of Lutosławski, R. Strauss, and Bruckner on April 4 and 6. The first concert will be held at Huddersfield Town Hall, and the second at Leeds Town Hall. The performances will start off with Lutosławski’s “Musicque funèbre,” a {…}
Beniamino Gigli is one of the most famous tenors in history. Born on March 20, 1890 in Recanati, his father was a shoemaker who was passionate about opera. While his family didn’t really care to see their son take on a career as an opera singer, Gigli moved forward and wound up winning an international prize in 1914. That same {…}
Famed mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča has announced her upcoming album “Sol y Vida,” which will hit stores on May 10, 2019. The forthcoming Deutsche Grammophon release will feature a number of popular Spanish songs such as “La Llorona,” “Granada,” “El día que me querias,” and “Gracias a la vida.” She will also interpret a number of Italian works such as “Marechiare,” {…}
The Mostly Mozart Festival has announced its 2019 festival, which is set to feature a number of stage productions, contemporary concerts and some of the world’s greatest musicians. For this article we will focus mainly on vocal events and opera. \ Opera The operatic selection for the Mostly Mozart festival is set to include Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade’s production of {…}
Lauritz Melchior remains one of the greatest Wagner tenors ever to perform. Born on March 20, 1890 in Copenhagen, he was a boy soprano and amateur singer in his youth. However, he would study at the Royal Opera School in Copenhagen and made his professional debut in 1913, as a baritone. During his time at the Royal Danish Opera, he {…}
