The Wiener Staatsoper has announced that Aida Garifullina and Piotr Beczala will headline the Wiener Opernball. The ball, which is one of the most anticipated evenings in the Vienna schedule, will be held on Feb. 20, 2020 and will see Garifullina sing from “La Traviata” while Beczala will perform an aria from “Tosca.” There will also be selections from “Die {…}
(Credit: Michael Pohn/© A. Bofill) This weekend is all about the star power, new productions and standard repertory that will showcase important role debuts. Here is a look. Lohengrin – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Piotr Beczala sings one of his signature roles with a cast that includes Ain Anger, Cornelia Beskow, Egils Silins, Linda Watson, and Boaz Daniel. The production by {…}
(Credit: Opéra National de Paris) Opéra National de Paris has canceled two more performances. The company announced that has canceled the Jan. 17, 2020 presentation of Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” due to the national strike. The company also announced that the ballet-opera “L’Après-midi d’un faune”/”L’Enfant et les sortilèges” scheduled for Jan. 18 would also be canceled. “Il Barbiere di {…}
Music of Remembrance has announced that it has received a $20,000 Art Grant to support its “Art from Ashes” project. The project, which aims to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, will feature a number of concert performances throughout 2020. Many of the works that will be featured on the program include those that were banned by {…}
(Credit: Ruth Waltz) The Royal Opera House is set to open a new production of Leoš Janáček‘s “Jenůfa” starting on March 24, 2020. The production, which will be directed by Claus Guth, is the third in the company’s Janáček series following productions of “Kát’a Kabanová” in 2019 and “From the House of the Dead” in 2018. Moreover, this will be {…}
The Verdi Chorus will present “Songs of Fantasy” on Feb. 1, 2020 in collaboration with the Sahm Family Foundation at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica, California. The performance, which will focus on the Fox Singers, will be led by Verdi Chorus Artistic Director Anne Marie Ketchum. The ensemble is made up of the professional ensemble of the {…}
The Orchestra of St. Luke’s is set to kick off its 2020 winter-spring season with a performance at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 6, 2020. The concert, entitled “Handel & Vivaldi: Rare Works for Double Orchestra” will be led by conductor Bernard Labadie and will feature contralto Marie-Nicole Lemieux and violinist Daniel Hope as the major soloiss. Lemieux will perform “Salve {…}
(Credit: Wiener Staatsoper) The Wiener Staatsoper has announced two cast changes for its upcoming productions. The company announced that Italian bass Roberto Tagliavini withdrew from performances of Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” due to illness. As a result, bass Adrian Sâmpetrean will replace Tagliavini and make his house debut performing the role of Alidoro on Jan. 18, 22 and 25, 2020. Sâmpetrean {…}
(Credit: Marius Vepsta) Victorian Opera is set to present a new production of Richard Strauss’ “Salome” starting on Feb. 22, 2020 at the Palais Theatre, St. Kilda. The opera, which will feature additional showcases on Feb. 25 and 27, will star Lithuanian soprano Vida Miknevičiūtė in her role debut as the title heroine. She will be joined by Daniel Sumegi {…}
With 2020 fully underway, opera companies are back in business. For this weekend’s recommendations, we feature a few repertory staples as well as some major new operas from the 21st century. Il barbiere di Siviglia – Canadian Opera Company Starting on Sunday, the Canadian Opera Company is back in business with conductor Speranza Scappucci leading Joan Font’s production of Rossini’s {…}
On Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, the 49th annual George London Foundation Competition will be held at Lehrmann Hall in The Morgan Library and Museum. One of the most prestigious awards in North America, the George London Award, currently a $10,000 prize, has been granted to hundreds of the most promising young singers since 1971. Serving on this year’s panel of {…}