The Salzburg Whitun Festival has announced its 2019 season, which also included a special message from its artistic director Cecilia Bartoli. “It is no coincidence that I can realize the idea now, when discussions about the abuse of the bodily integrity of artists have become so topical,” Bartoli stated in a press released. “In the name of art, thousands of {…}
The Opera National de Lorraine has announced its 2018-19 season featuring three new productions, including one world premiere. Here is a look at what audiences can expect. Productions Michelle Bradley sings the title role in Verdi’s “Aida” with Gianluca Terranova as Radamès and Enkelejda Shokoza as Amneris. Giuliano Carella conducts the productions. Performance Dates: Sept. 25-Oct. 4, 2018 Offenbach’s “La Belle {…}
Italian bass Ezio Pinza, born on May 18, 1892, never learned to read music. But that didn’t stop him from enjoying a massively successful career. The bass grew up in Ravenna and would study in Bologna. He made his Operatic debut in 1914 at Cremona. After four years of Military service during World War I, he made his La Scala {…}
The weekend will offer a lot of Bel canto, verismo, 20th-century masterpieces, and one world premiere that should not be missed by anyone. And it also includes a number of legendary stars, as well as some of the most famous in the world. Here are top six to see this weekend. L’Italiana in Algeri – Salzburg Festival, Austria Cecilia Bartoli {…}
One of the most exciting companies around opens its doors on its 2018 season while another major company celebrates one of the musical titans of the 20th century. Those are just two of the five major picks this year. La Traviata – Opera Theatre of Saint Louis One of the biggest opera festivals in the US kicks off with the {…}
Boris Christoff was born on May 18, 1914, and would go on to enjoy a historic career. The Bulgarian artist was a member of a boys choir as a youth but would go on to study law and initiate a career as a magistrate. He would sing in his spare time and when he received a grant from the government, {…}
The Houston Grand Opera has named Eun Sun Kim the first principal guest conductor in 25 years. In a press release the company noted, “Eun Sun Kim seems to me a limitless talent at the outset of an important career as her music-making is elegant, effortless, precise, and deep. Her incredible facility with languages and ability to communicate with singers, both {…}
Susan Froemke’s “The Opera House” is set to appear on PBS’s “Great Performances at the Met” on May 25, 2018. The documentary tells the story of the creation of the Metropolitan Opera’s house in Lincoln Center and features a number of major figures of the mid-1960s. One of the major figures included in the documentary is soprano Leontyne Price, who {…}
The Teatro de la Zarzuela has announced its 2018-19 season featuring a number of favorites and international stars. The season will also include concerts and recitals by some of the world’s greatest singers. Productions Pablo Sorozabal’s “Katiuska” opens the season with Guillermo Garcia Calvo conducting Ainhoa Arteta, Rocio Ignacio, and Maite Alberola sharing the title role. Carlos Alvarez, Ángel Odena, Jorge {…}
The Opera de Limoges has announced its 2018-19 season. The season will include a number of rarities, as well as two staples from the standard repertoire. Productions Juliette Deschamp brings her vision of “Songe d’une nuit d’été” with mezzo-soprano Alice Ferrière and soprano Chloé Briot. Paul Daniel conducts the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine. Performance Dates: Sept. 14, 2018 D’Hervé’s “Mam’zelle Nitouche” will be presented in a {…}
On June 2, 2018, the Long Beach Opera will hold a concert to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Artistic Director Andreas Mitisek. The concert, entitled “The Best of 20” will feature scenes from over 60 of the director’s best productions for the company. Mitisek became the company’s principal conductor in 1998 and then went on to take his current {…}