In the opera world, we are constantly keeping our eyes on the stars. We think we know all about their respective paths and trajectories. We constantly evaluate their respective brightness and when we think they might potentially go dark. In essence, the opera world is obsessed with stars. So for this week’s edition of the Opera Quiz, we will take {…}
Fathom Events is set to present Plácido Domingo’s 50th-anniversary gala from the Arena di Verona. “Plácido Domingo Gala” celebrates the historic talents of one of the greatest singers in the world, who has had an international career as a tenor, baritone, orchestra conductor, general manager and mentor of young talents. The gala included segments from ‘Nabucco,” “Macbeth,” and “Simon Boccanegra” and stars Anna {…}
The Metropolitan Opera Guild has announced that the honorees of its “Diamond Jubilee” celebration will be Martina Arroyo and Teresa Stratas. The Guild’s 85th Annual Luncheon, which is set to take place on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 at Cipriani, will showcase Stephanie Blythe and musical tributes by Ailyn Pérez and Matthew Polenzani. Richard J. Miller, Jr., President of the Metropolitan {…}
(Credit: Alastair Muir/Glyndebourne Productions Ltd.) The San Francisco Opera is set to present Britten’s “Billy Budd” to open the 2019-20 season. The work returns to the company after a 15-year absence in Michael Grandage’s production, which was unveiled at the Glyndebourne Festival. The opera is set to star John Chest in the title role in his company debut alongside William {…}
As the summer winds down, the festival season is also drawing to a close. But that also means that the 2019-20 season will slowly start to get underway. So this weekend’s top recommendations showcase this transitional period at its finest. Glimmerglass Festival – The Queen of Spades Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece will be showcased in a production by Francesca Zambello with Michelle {…}
(Credit: Teatro Regio di Parma/ SF/Monika Riitshaus/Rossini Opera Festival) This weekend new productions open, a major festival kicks off and a rising star makes a major debut at a historical arena. Here is what we recommend for the weekend. Œdipe – Salzburg Festival, Austria Christopher Maltman sings the title role of Enescu’s rarely performed work. The star baritone is joined {…}
(Credit: Jonathon Tichler) The REACH has announced its “inclusive, multi-genre, multidisciplinary” 2019 Opening Festival, which marks its first-ever expansion to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For the purpose of this article, we focus on opera-related events. The Festival’s “Opening Day” will “illustrate the breadth of experience that the REACH is designed to foster,” according to the {…}
(Photo: Sasha Onyshchenko) “Carmina Burana” will make a surprise return to Les Grands Ballets this October at the Place des Arts, Wilfrid-Pelletier. The famed work has not appeared with the company for 21 years, but will get a series of performances alongside Pergolesi’s equally famous “Stabat Mater.” Both works will be choreographed by Edward Clug. Carl Orff’s famed piece was {…}
It was revealed recently that Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Opera would be putting on Wagner’s “Parsifal” as part of its upcoming season. The Institution noted that it regularly performed the work between 1949 and 1976 and that this was a revival of a major tradition. The institution also revealed that it would feature star tenor Chris Lysack, who {…}
Fort Worth Opera has announced soprano Abigail Rethwisch and tenor Darius Thomas the Lesley Resident Artists for the 2019-20 season. As Resident Artists, Rethwisch and Thomas will perform at numerous events, perform recitals, and obtain lessons and coaching. They will also appear in masterclasses at Fort Worth Opera. Rethwisch was a member of the Santa Fe Apprentice Artist program in {…}
Juan Diego Flórez is set to return to the Royal Opera in the title role of Massenet’s “Werther.” The opera production by Benoît Jacquot will be revived for the third time since its debut in 2004 production. Flórez will sing the role following acclaimed performances at the Teatro Comunale di Bologna and Opernhaus Zurich. He will be joined by mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard {…}