The Azrieli Foundation, founded by late visionary David J. Azrieli in 1989, has sought to enrich the lives of future generations by investing in a wide variety of organizations across Canada and Israel. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Foundation improves the lives of present and future generations through education, research, healthcare and the arts. In addition to offering generous {…}
The Metropolitan Opera is set to open Verdi’s “Macbeth” with Plácido Domingo returning to the U.S. stage after being accused of sexual misconduct by 20 women. However, according to a recent report from the NPR, Metropolitan Opera employees are unhappy with his return. The publication spoke with four employees who noted they were uncomfortable with Domingo in rehearsals of Macbeth but {…}
Eva-Maria Westbroek has canceled the final performance of “Cavalleria Rusticana” at the Deutsche Oper Berlin on Sept. 20, 2019. The Deutsche Oper Berlin announced that due to illness Westbroek was forced to cancel. As a result, Elena Zhidkova will sing the role of Santuzza. Zhidkova recently performed the role of Eboli in Verdi’s “Don Carlo” and will reprise the same {…}
The LA Opera is set to present a live broadcast of a performance of Puccini’s “La Bohème” on Sept. 28, 2019. The live stream is set to take place the Santa Monica Pier as well as the Columbia Park in Torrance. The broadcast will start at 7:30 p.m. and end three hours later. Per a press release, those that choose {…}
(Credit: Simon Pauly The Òpera de Paris has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of “Lear.” The company announced that due to health reasons Andreas Scheibner was forced to withdraw from the role of Herzog von Albany. As a result, Derek Welton will interpret the part, making his house debut. Welton recently performed the role of Herzog at {…}
The Pensacola Opera will present a Jukebox Gala. The gala, which will be held on Oct. 12 at Skopelos at New World, will be a musical extravaganza with a four-course dinner. The Jukebox Gala will offer an intimate cabaret-style concert featuring classic opera arias, musical theatre favorites, and jazz standards sung to you tableside by acclaimed professional opera singers. The {…}
(Credit: Charles Duprat/ONP) The Opéra de Paris has canceled the Sept. 24 performance of Verdi’s “La Traviata.” The company announced that due to a strike regarding the proposed reform of the pension system, the scheduled performance was canceled. As a result the company is offering ticket-holders the chance to exchange their tickets for another production of the 2019-2020 season depending {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera) Verdi’s “Macbeth” may be a major repertory staple, but its Met history is actually not as extensive as one might imagine. In sum, the Verdi opera has appeared just 105 times in the company’s history. When it returns on Wednesday, Sept. 25, the company will be reviving it for the first time in five {…}
The 2019-20 season is underway with a lot of major companies kicking off their season this very week. Among them is an increasingly prestigious festival. Here are our top eight operas to see this weekend. Il Barbiere di Siviglia – Painted Sky Opera, Oklahoma On Friday night, the Painted Sky Opera will showcase the first opera of its new season. {…}
(Credit: Sebastien Mathe) The works of Bellini’s, and Bel-Canto in general, have been underrated for centuries, with many judging the orchestration of the pieces as simply being accompaniments for the voices carrying the main melodies. But as every genius composer of opera, Bellini kept looking for the best way to transmit the drama of the libretto through the music and {…}
(Credit: Baus-La Monnaie /Catherine Ashmore- Royal Opera House/Javier del Rey-Teatro Real) This weekend will feature two productions of the epic “Don Carlo” in two different versions, a world premiere, a soprano taking on four roles in one opera, a Janacek work, and a star couple in one of Massenet’s greatest works. Here is what we recommend for the weekend. Macbeth {…}