While the environment outside the Met Opera on opening night was rather subdued in comparison to previous years, there could be no denying the environment inside of the sold-out house. Everywhere you turned, the opera on hand was a major topic of conversation with great excitement over what it might bring. The Gershwin classic, “Porgy and Bess,” hasn’t been at {…}
The Opéra Comique has announced its 2020 season featuring a number of rarely performed works. The season with Christian Boltanski, Jean Kalman, and Franck Krawczyk’s “Fosse.” The piece is set to star soprano Karen Vourc’h and cellist Sonia Wieder-Atherton. Peformance Dates: Jan. 10-11, 2020 François-Adrien Boieldie’s “La Dame Blanche” will be performed in a production by Pauline Bureau. Conducted by Julien {…}
(Credit: Julia Wesely) The Cleveland Orchestra has announced a new five-year extension of Franz Welser-Möst’s contract as Music Director. The new contract will continue the conductor and orchestra’s partnership that began in 2002 and will now be extended until 2027. “I am delighted to announce this extended contract, ensuring The Cleveland Orchestra’s acclaimed partnership with Franz Welser-Möst for an additional {…}
(credit: Igor Studio) Franco Fagioli has canceled his participation in “Orlando” tour. The Théâtre des Champs-Elysées announced that Argentinian countertenor would not be participating in tour where he was scheduled to sing the title role of Handel’s “Orlando”. As a result, French countertenor Christophe Dumaux will replace Fagioli in Paris while Max Emanuel Cencic will takeover performances in Essen, Verona, and Madrid. {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera) Venera Gimadieva has withdrawn from performances of Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the Bayerische Staatsoper. The company announced that Gimadieva was ill and therefore had to withdraw from performances scheduled on Sept. 25, 29, and Oct. 2, 2019. As a result, Ailyn Pérez will take over performances in the title role. Pérez is currently performing {…}
(Credit: Alex D. James) Vittorio Grigolo has been suspended by the Royal Opera House. The company suspended the Italian tenor for an alleged groping during the Royal Opera’s Japan tour. The company stated, “following an alleged incident on September 18 involving Vittorio Grigolo, the Royal Opera House opened an immediate investigation and Mr. Grigolo was suspended.” The Royal Opera has also {…}
(Credit: Svetlana Loboff / Opera National de Paris) On Sept. 14, 2019, the Paris Opera presented “Madama Butterfly” at the Bastille. One of the most beloved and famous operas of all time, it seemed like a very good choice to open a season. But what should have been a wondrous event was derailed by two factors: Robert Wilson’s production and {…}
(Credit: Maxine Robertson) Young Spanish soprano Serena Sáenz is currently a member of International Opera Studio in Berlin at the Staatsoper unter der Linden where she is currently performing roles of Pamina and Papagena in Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute,” she has debuted in “Siegfried”as Der Waldvogel. She is also preparing roles of Zerlina in “Don Giovanni,” Frasquita in “Carmen,” {…}
The Metropolitan Opera’s general manager Peter Gelb has stated that Plácido Domingo will continue to perform with the organization as previously scheduled. Per a report from NPR, the manager spoke to members of the chorus and orchestra about allegations against Domingo and noted that he decided to keep Domingo’s performance on the schedule because he did not feel that the {…}
The Portland Opera has announced that its 2019-20 Resident Artists will include soprano Emilie Faiella, mezzo-soprano Camille Sherman, tenor Ricardo Garcia, and baritone Geoffrey Schellenberg. “We are so proud to welcome the 2019/20 Portland Opera Resident Artists,” stated Sue Dixon, interim general director, in a press release. “Now in its 15th year, this program has become a key part of Portland Opera’s {…}
( Photo Credit: Chris Lee ) On Wednesday September 18, 2019, the New York Philharmonic launched their 2019-20 season with an exciting concert, titled “Kelli O’Hara Sings Barber.” The evening’s program included the world premiere of Philip Glass’ “King Lear Overture,” as well as selections from Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet, Suites No. 1 and 2.” Starting with Shakespeare First on {…}