New York City Opera first became famous for the re-discovery of forgotten works in 1966 when Beverly Sills sang in “Giulio Cesare,” even though the opera was not performed in its original format. However, City Opera can be given credit for re-starting the Baroque Revival that is still going on today. In its new incarnation, the company continues its tradition {…}
The Opéra Royal de Wallonie has announced its 2017-18 season with a number of classics and rarities being performed. The season opens with Puccini’s ‘Manon Lescaut” starring Anna Pirozzi and Marcello Giordani. Speranza Scapucci conducts all five performances starting on Sept. 19, 2017. Patrizia Ciofi, Silvia Dalla Benetta, and Gregory Kunde star in Bellini’s “Norma” from Oct. 19 to Nov. {…}
The Highbury Opera Theatre has commissioned Nick Hornby’s legendary soccer/football novel “Fever Pitch.” Marking the novel’s 25 anniversary, this opera will be the first ever musical adaptation of the work. The opera will be composed by Scott Stroman (HOT’s Artistic Director) and written by librettist Tamsin Collison. Both have reimagined it as a comedy/drama featuring a cast of five professional actors {…}
The Music Academy of the West will celebrate its 70th Anniversary with a full slate of performances and masterclasses. For its sole operatic production, the company will present Donizetti’s “L’Elisir D’Amore.” The opera will be helmed by world-renowned conductor and Academy alumna Speranza Scappucci in collaboration with Los Angeles-based director James Darrah, known for creating “once-in-a-lifetime experiences.” Overseen by Voice Program {…}
For years Meyerbeer’s music has been ignored or gone into obscurity. In recent years, some of his operas have been able to make resurgences thanks in part to star singers. But even so, the composer, one of the most famous of his time, remains an obscurity in the modern opera world. Now Diana Damrau is finally paying homage to a {…}
It’s yet another packed weekend filled with great stars at the some of the world’s greatest stages. Here are some audiences should check out. Austria Jonas Kaufmann and Angela Gheorghiu reunite for Puccini’s “Tosca” at the Vienna State Opera on Friday. Christopher Maltman takes on the title of Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” with Pavol Breslik rounding out the cast. Czech Republic At {…}
It’s the weekend and many of the top stars in opera are getting ready for the Metropolitan Opera’s 50th Anniversary Gala. Let’s find out what they were up to! Pretty Yende shared a selfie in her dressing room with Susan Graham. She shared no clues but she looked very excited to be in her presence. With the extraordinary Susan Graham❣❣❣ {…}
Opera season remains in full swing across North America as summer fast approaches. With so many companies in business this weekend, we have opted for a slight shift in structure. Instead of a series of paragraphs, we will go list form for this week’s edition and any with this massive amount of productions. Behold the opera events of the weekend {…}
Brazilian-Polish Baritone Paulo Szot will be singing an evening from the American Songbook at Newark, New Jersey’s Performing Arts Center on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Szot has been successfully straddling the lines between opera and Broadway, with past performances of Shostakovich’s “The Nose,” Bizet’s “Carmen,” and Massenet’s “Manon” at the Metropolitan Opera in addition to the 2008 revival of Rodger’s {…}
The Opera de Marseille has announced its 2017-18 season. It all begins with David Alagna’s “Le dernier jour d’un condamné.” Conducted by Jean-Yves Ossonce in a production by Nadine Duffaut, the opera will star Adina Aaron and Roberto Alagna. The opera will be presented three times starting on Sept. 28, 2017. Gaetano Donizetti’s “La Favorite” will be presented on Oct. 13, {…}
Robert Paterson’s “Three Way” will have its New York premiere at BAM in a co-production with Nashville and American Opera Projects. The trio of comic one-act operas for eight singers and chamber orchestra, with a libretto by David Cote, will have four performances from June 15 to 18, 2017. “Three Way” had its world premiere at the Nashville Opera in January and {…}