Last weekend, I had the opportunity to experience a number of unique performance opportunities outside of the confines of opera’s mecca, Manhattan. After a glorious “La Traviata” at the Glimmerglass Festival, I headed over to Saratoga Springs for a matinee of Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel.” It was remarkable and greatly unexpected. It was set in the stunning Saratoga State Park {…}
(Credit: Carli Kadel) I have learned that — outside the cultural mecca of Manhattan, in summer — amazing operatic performances can be found in what might be regarded as unlikely places. And my recent weekend in upstate New York confirmed that once again. I first experienced this with the new production at Glimmerglass of Verdi’s mid-career masterpiece, “La Traviata.” Revisiting {…}
(Credit: Gran Theatre del Liceu/Bayerische Staatsoper/Metropolitan Opera) This weekend is stacked with a number of new productions and revivals with some of the biggest stars. Here is a look at seven works we think are unmissable. Guillaume Tell – Chorégies d’Orange, France Nicola Alaimo takes on Rossini’s final opera, a work that has become his signature. He is joined by {…}
There are four operas that rarely get performances in North America, making them all the more essential viewing for the weekend. Here are our top five operas to see this weekend (in alphabetical order by company). Billy Budd – Central City Opera Britten’s masterwork kicks off on Saturday with a production conducted by John Baril and directed by Ken Cazan. {…}
The Houston Grand Opera has received a 2019 Telly Award for its HGOco web series “Star-Cross’d.” The first episode “Boundless” was the honored episode, gaining an award for Non-Broadcast General – Cultural. The story is based on “I Can Die Now,” a true story of Aryana Rose. The Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens. The {…}
Camilla Nylund has canceled her recital at the Festival de Peralada so that she can take on the role of Elsa in “Lohengrin” in Bayreuth. Per Scherzo, the recital, which was originally scheduled for August 3, 2019 was canceled as Nylund could not resist an opportunity to jump into a production of the Wagner opera when the famed festival came {…}
The Long Beach Opera has announced the departure of Andreas Mitisek as General Director at the close of the company’s 2020 season. Per a press release, Mitisek decided not to renew his contract. He has been with the company for the past 17 years and is expected to continue his career as a freelance director in both the U.S. and {…}
(Photo Courtesy of BSO) Uma Thurman will appear in André Previn and Tom Stoppard’s “Penelope.” The unfinished work will be presented at Tanglewood on July 24, 2019 and will also feature soprano Renée Fleming, the Emerson String Quartet, and pianist Simone Dinnerstein. Thurman will take on a newly-created part of the Narrator. The work, which was originally dedicated to Fleming, {…}
Semperoper Dresden has announced two cast changes for its final performance of Puccini’s “La Bohème” on July 12, 2019. Israeli soprano Hila Baggio will sing Musetta and Belarussian tenor Pavel Valuzhin will sing Rodolfo, replacing Iulia Maria Dan and Yosep Kang, respectively. Baggio made her company debut when she replaced Dan, who is ill, on July 7. She has performed {…}
The Orchestra National de France and the Choeur and Maîtrise de Radio France will present a free Bastille Day concert on Sunday, Jul. 14, 2019. The concert will take place “at the foot of the Eiffel Tower . . . [and] will be followed by the very famous fireworks,” according to SortiraParis. Alain Altinoglu will lead the orchestra. The event {…}
Anna Netrebko has announced via Twitter that opera fans will soon be able to tune into broadcasts of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” from Arena di Verona. The broadcasts will take place on Jul. 13 at 6:30 p.m. (via 3sat), Jul 14 at 10:15 p.m. (via ZDF), and Jul 20 at 10:20 p.m. (via France Télévisions). Netrebko stars as Leonora alongside Yusif Eyvazov {…}