Mezzo-soprano Teresa Berganza is one of Spain’s great treasures. Born on March 16, 1935, Berganza studied piano and voice at the Madrid Conservatory. She was awarded the first prize for singing in 1954 and subsequently debuted a year later. In 1957, Berganza made her opera debut at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in “Così Fan Tutte.” Also in 1957, the mezzo made {…}
Most of the operatic classics have been constructed on recurring archetypes. Oftentimes, these tropes are thematic. Nobility, magic, love, lust, vengeance. You know them, even if you aren’t always aware of them. But oftentimes they are also emphasized through specific musical structures. The tenor is often the hero and the lower-voiced character is more sinister. Or, there is always a {…}
Among Massenet’s most enduring works is “Thaïs,” an exploration of two souls moving in completely opposite spiritual states. The opera had its world premiere on March 16, 1984, with American soprano Sibyl Sanderson in the title role. The work was later revised and premiered on April 13, 1898. The opera has endured for a number of reasons. First off, many {…}
Opera Southwest has had to change the location for its upcoming production of Wagner’s “Lohengrin” due to a flood and fire. However, the company also launched a campaign to assemble funds to help overcome other production difficulties resulting from the fire and flood. Per the company’s campaign the damage done will affect the organization in the long run. “I believe {…}
The Pittsburgh Opera and Carnegie Mellon University will present “Co-Opera” this April. In the program, which started back in 2015, the Pittsburgh Opera works with the CMU School of Music, School of Drama, and Master of Arts Management Program to create new works. The collaboration has taken place over a two-year span and will feature two performances on April 13 {…}
The finalists for Alan M. and Joan Taub Ades Vocal Competition have been announced. Among the finalists are five sopranos – Xiaotong Cao, Hanna Friesen, Sasha Gutiérrez, Hyeree Shin, and Kelly Singer. There are also two mezzo-sopranos, including Sae Lin Kim and Polixeni Tziouvaras. The lone male finalist is baritone Daniel Rich. All were selected through a preliminary audition after being {…}
Opera North is set to showcase Verdi’s “Aida” starting on May 1, 2019. The production will take place at the Leeds Town Hall for five total performances on May 1, 8, 10, 28, and 30. Additionally, the company will tour the U.K. with additional performances of the Verdi classic. On May 15, the company will showcase the work in Nottingham, {…}
The Baden-Baden Festival has announced its 2019-20 season with a number of great performers and concerts. For this article, we have only concentrated on vocal and opera events. here is a look. Fall Festival John Neumeier directs Gluck’s “Orfeo et Eurydice” with Alessandro de Marchi conducting. Performance Dates: Sept. 27-19, 2019 Dorothee Mields sings a program centered on Der Orpheus-Mythos {…}
The Verbier Festival has announced the programming for its 26th edition. While there are undeniably a plethora of incredible performances of all kinds to be found throughout the many weeks of this famed festival, the aim of this article will be to focus mainly on vocal and operatic performances. Baritone Thomas Quasthoff will appear alongside guitarist Wolfgang Meyer and Trombonist {…}
The Bilbao Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring five productions, two company premieres, and a number of debuts by some of the biggest stars. Here is a look at what you can expect next season. Jessica Pratt opens the season with her acclaimed interpretation of Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor.” The soprano is joined by Ismael Jordi, Juan Jesús Rodriguez, and {…}
On March 14, 2019, the Metropolitan Opera raised the curtain on the next run of performances for its new production of Saint-Saens’ “Samson et Dalila.” Darko Tresnjak’s vision of ancient Israel is one that is both strange and stunning. While there is much to be savored visually, many aspects overplay certain elements of the opera, while not giving their due {…}