(Credit: Ken Howard/ Metropolitan Opera) Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” is set to return to the Metropolitan Opera with two of the world’s greatest interpreters. Fall Cast The season premiere will open with Hui He in a role she has performed all over the world at such venues as the Arena di Verona, Opernhaus Zurich, Teatro Real de Madrid, the Dallas Opera, {…}
(Credit: Javier del Real) The Teatro Real opened its season on the Sept. 18, 2019 with Verdi’s “Don Carlo,” an opera inspired in the old monarchy of Spain. Present at the big event were the King and Queen of Spain, as well as famous figures from the world of politics and arts. “Don Carlo” is a massive endeavor for any {…}
One day, as a 16-year-old, tenor Piero Pretti, was invited by Fabrizio Ruiu to audition for a polyphonic choir. That moment would have tremendous implications for the Sardinian tenor. Not only would Ruiu, a close friend from childhood, become the best man at his wedding, but this audition would change Pretti’s life forever. “I fell in love with it,” he {…}
It was a typical Monday at Port Authority. People hustling and bustling about trying to make their respective connections. Long lines outside bus terminals. General white noise echoing around the building. But around 5 p.m. something in the atmosphere changed. If you were walking around the terminal at that time, you might have started to hear “O soave fanciulla” from {…}
(Credit: Johannes Ifkovits) Piotr Beczala has postponed two upcoming recitals. The tenor announced that he will continue his recovery from vocal issues for another week on medical advice. He said, “Dear friends, we all don’t like this kind of news, but following my doctor’s advice, I am forced to continue my recovery for another week. Tomorrow’s recital at the Kölner Philharmonie {…}
The Copenhagen Opera Festival has announced that Amy Lane will become the company’s new artistic director. Lane will become the first woman and foreigner to lead the festival in this position since its inception in 2009. Lane is currently the Head Staff Director for The Royal Opera, Covent and has been in charge of revivals for Kasper Holten’s production of {…}
The Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, Italy has named Stéphane Lissner its new Sovrintendente. The theater announced that Lissner, who is currently the artistic director of the Opéra National de Paris, will take the post in April, replacing Rosanna Purchia. According to the Naples Syndicate, who voted unanimously for Lissner, the new sovrintendente will also serve as the company’s {…}
The English National Opera has announced the appointment of Annilese Miskimmon as its new artistic director. Currently director of Opera at Norwegian National Opera & Ballet, Miskimmon will begin her position at the ENO on Sept. 1, 2020 and will remain in Oslo until the end of the 2019-20 season. In a statement, Miskimmon noted, “I am honored and delighted {…}
The Boston Opera Collaborative will showcase a number of one-act operas by Boston-based composer Jonathan Bailey Holland on Nov. 7, 2019 at the Room&Board Boston Showroom. The one-night event will show “Naomi in the Living Room,” “The Battle of Bull Run Always Makes Me Cry,” and “Always,” with a number of artists including Britt Brown, Junhan Choi, Lindsay Conroy, Carley {…}
The Brooklyn Art Song Society is set to showcase the second concert of its 2019-20 season. Entitled “Home II: Chants d’Auvergne,” the concert will take place on Nov. 1, 2019 at the Brooklyn History Society in Brooklyn, NY. The event will present the music of Joseph Canteloube’s “Chants ‘d’Auvergne.” The piece will be performed by soprano Maria Valdes and mezzo-soprano {…}
(Credit: Symphony Space Official Website) The German Forum is set to showcase Victoria Bond and Barbara Zinn Krieger’s “Clara” in New York. The new opera will be presented at Symphony Space in New York City on Nov. 8 with another showcase set for Nov. 10 at the Church of the Messiah in Rhinebeck. The opera will feature Christine Reber as {…}