The Sinfonia Nacional de Galicia has announced its 2019-20 season. For the purposes of this article, we will only focus on the vocal or opera-related concerts. Here is a look: The Compania Nacional is set to present “Carmen” in a ballet version using the music of Bizet and Rodion Shchedrin. Performance Dates: Nov. 22 & 23, 2020 Gian Battista Pergolesi/Johann {…}
(Production photo: Duane Tinkey/Des Moines Metro Opera’s “Billy Goats Gruff”) Father of six, retired bass-baritone John Davies first attempted to write a children’s opera for an unusual reason. “Around 1978,” he remembered in an interview with OperaWire, “it seemed to me that the tobacco industry was advertising to my young children, with the Marlboro Man, Joe Camel, and Virginia Slims {…}
(Credit: Royal Opera House) How one experiences Barrie Kosky’s “Carmen,” which is currently being presented at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, really depends on your relationship to the work itself. Those who have never seen the opera might actually find themselves riveted by Kosky’s conception and execution. Those who hate it might find this a breath of fresh air. {…}
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus) Murderous political machinations and pandemic debauchery in the Kingdom of Lombardy in the 7th century were as rampant as any episode of “Game of Thrones” over a millennium later. A neophyte watching the latest series of the Westeros saga without any prior knowledge of its protagonists would find it similarly challenging to work out who is trying {…}
The Real Filharmonía de Galicia has announced its 2019-20 season. For purposes of this article, we will only concentrate on the vocal performances. Miren Urbieta Vega and Damián Del Castillo perform a night of Zarzuela with works by J. Guridi, F. Moreno Torroba, and P. Sorozábal. Manuel Coves conducts. Performance Date: Oct. 3, 2019 Fernando Buide’s “A amnesia de Clío” is set to be performed with Paul {…}
It’s the month of independence for a few major countries around the world. So in honor of freedom and liberty, this week’s quiz is dedicated to some of the most notable appeals for freedom, peace, and liberty in the history of opera. Guess the right one and have some fun!
(Photo: Jonas Lampens) The great castrato, Carlo Maria Michelangelo Broschi, better known as Farinelli, had such impact on 18th century opera-seria that his fame has lasted down the centuries, so that even today his name remains well-known amongst opera-goers. His older brother, Riccardo Broschi, however is less well-known, few will recognize his name. Yet, during his lifetime he was a {…}
(Credit: Dominic M. Mercier) Opera Philadelphia will kick off its O19 Festival with the world premiere of Venables and Huffman’s opera “Denis & Katya.” The opera, co-commissioned and co-produced with Music Theatre Wales and Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier, was inspired by the “true story of two 15-year-old runaways who became social media sensations when they live streamed an armed stand-off {…}
The Semperoper Dresden has announced a cast change for Puccini’s “La Bohème” The company announced that Hila Baggio will sing Musetta in the performance of “La Bohème” on July 7, 2019, replacing Iulia Maria Dan, who is ill. The performance will mark Baggio’s debut with the company. The soprano has performed with the Israeli Opera, the Angers-Nantes Opéra and Opéra de {…}
Festival season is in full swing and this weekend’s major offerings come from some of the most exciting summer festivals in North America. Here are our top five offerings (in alphabetical order by company). Madama Butterfly – Central City Opera The famed Puccini masterpiece opens on Saturday with Raquel González, Annie Rosen, Cody Austin, Troy Cook, and Joseph Gaines. Adam {…}
(Credit: Javier del Real/Teatro Real, Bayerische Staatsoper, Prudence Upton/Opera Australia) This weekend will showcase numerous leading divas and a number of new productions that will entice opera lovers. Here is a look. Anna Bolena – Opera Australia, Australia Ermonela Jaho takes on the title role in Donizetti’s demanding opera. She is joined by Leonardo Cortellazzi, Carmen Topciu, and Teddy Tahu Rhodes and conductor Renato {…}