The Greek National Opera is set to open a new production of “Wozzeck” on Jan 19, 2020. Directed by Oliver Py for the first time in his career and conducted by Vassilis Christopoulos, the famed opera by Alban Berg will kick off the company’s 2020 season. Greek baritone Tassis Christoyannis will star in the title role with Nadine Lehner as {…}
(Photo courtesy of Deacon Communications) “Jonas Kaufmann My Vienna” comes to cinemas worldwide on March 24, 2020. The performance, which was filmed live at the Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna, features the famed tenor alongside the Prague Philharmonia Orchestra and soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen in music by Strauss and Léhar, among others. “The music always put me in a good mood,” he {…}
The Opéra de Paris has canceled its premiere performance of Bellini’s “Il Pirata” due to the national strike. In a statement the company noted, “The Paris Opera apologizes for this cancellation. Given the right of employees to declare industrial action up until the scheduled performance time, the Opera was not able to inform the audience earlier and apologizes for this {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta) The Metropolitan Opera has confirmed that Anna Netrebko will perform the title role of Puccini’s “Turandot” in a future season. The news was revealed in the December Playbill at the Met, in a letter written by the general manager himself. There was no confirmation, however, of when this series of performances would take place. The soprano is {…}
Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced cast changes for its upcoming performances of J. Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus.” The company announced that soprano Hulkar Sabirova will replace Rachel Willis-Sørensen in the role of Rosalinde for performances on Dec. 25 and Dec. 31 at 2 P.M. Meanwhile, soprano Jacquelyn Wagner will takeover the Dec. 31 performance at 7: 30 P.M. replacing Willis-Sørensen. Sabirova {…}
(Credit: LA Opera) Since winning Operalia, soprano Adela Zaharia has emerged as one of the major rising stars in the opera world. Zaharia has made major debuts in some of the world’s greatest opera houses including the Bayerische Staatsoper and LA Opera and has added a number of major role debuts. She has also become a frequent exponent of the {…}
(Photo: Yasuko Kageyama) Opera Roma rolled out the red carpet for the opening evening of its 2019-20 season, with a rare performance of Verdi’s grand opera “Les Vêpres Siciliennes” in its original French version. Overshadowed by his three preceding middle period operas, “Rigoletto,” “Il Trovatore” and “La Traviata,” and by the mature works which followed, it has struggled to gain {…}
(Credit: GuillermoGarciaCalvo.com) The Teatro de la Zarzuela has named Guillermo García Calvo its new music director, succeeding Óliver Díaz, who currently holds the position. Calvo will take over the position on Jan. 1, 2020. Calvo made his debut at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in 2012 and has since conducted such works as “Curro Vargas,” “La tempestad,” and “Katiuska.” This {…}
The Vienna State Opera will live stream Puccini’s “La Bohème” on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. The famed opera will star Anita Hartig in a role that she has performed around the world. Saimir Pirgu will star as her beloved Rodolfo with Marco Caria as Marcello, and Mariam Battistelli as Musetta. The iconic Franco Zeffirelli production will be conducted by Marco {…}
(Credit: Catherine Ashmore / ROH) Smothered in monochrome, Keith Warner’s 2017 production of Verdi’s “Otello” is a humorless parody of art deco design. Tar-colored towers hold its personages in a chokehold; escorting them onstage with sliding trays resembling CD player disc drives. Vertical slots in the abyss and square-shaped patterns often visible on casual sweaters sever the obscurity. In its {…}
Throughout the history of opera, December has seemingly been a favorite for major world premieres. So to celebrate the holiday season and opera, we take a look at major operas that world premiered in the final month of the year. Throughout this quiz you will see references to “December opera,” meaning a piece that had its first performance this month. {…}