First premiering on January 26, 1957, “Dialogues des Carmelites” is a dramatization of the events surrounding the Martyrs of Compiegne, who remained faithful unto death during France’s Reign of Terror. The work delves into the theme of virtue in a world seemingly rife with corruption, and is notable for its final scene which features the repeated sound of a falling {…}
This Jan. 29, 2018, audiences the world over will get a chance to experience opera’s most famous gypsy from their computers as the Vienna State Opera presents Bizet’s “Carmen” on its live streaming service. This run of performances is notable because it features Piotr Beczala’s debut run of Don José. He will be joined by Margarita Griskova, Carlos Álvarez, and {…}
Last week was rife with modern opera in our top five works to see during the weekend. And this weekend will be no different with a number of companies experimenting and promoting new music. Cruzar la Cara de la Luna – New York City Opera The New York City Opera brings the world’s first-ever mariachi opera to its stage this {…}
This weekend sees the return of three major superstars in the opera world to the stage. Anna Netrebko, Juan Diego Flórez, and Olga Peretyatko sing major roles while Leipzig will host a Puccini festival. Puccini Weekend – Oper-Leipzig, Germany “Tosca,” “Turandot,” and “Madama Butterfly” will play over one weekend with superstar casts. First, up will be “Tosca” starring Gastón Rivero and {…}
The Orchestra of St. Luke’s has announced its 2018-19 Carnegie Hall series. The season will include two concerts featuring some of the world’s greatest singers and another featuring one the world’s greatest pianist. The season kicks off on Oct. 25 when the orchestra performs Haydn’s “Nelson Mass” and the Mozart Requiem. The concert will be conducted by Bernard Labadie and {…}
The Dallas Opera has announced its 2018-19 season, which is set to include five classic operas and numerous international stars. The season kicks off on Oct. 12, 2018 with Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” starring Greer Grimsley in the title role, Anja Kampe in her Dallas debut, and Jay Hunter Morris. Music director Emmanuel Villaume conducts. Performance Date: Oct. 12-20 (4 {…}
Carnegie Hall announced its 2018-19 season featuring some of the world’s greatest singers and musicians. To stick with opera, we will only be highlighting the singers who will be featured in the season. Orchestras Mezzo-soprano Lucile Richardot will be featured with the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique under the direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner in an all-Berlioz program. The program will feature {…}
The New York City Opera, an institution that had been at the heart of New York City’s opera culture was dead. Its fate was unknown. That’s when Michael Capasso stepped in. He had already worked extensively as a stage director and had even founded his own company, the Dicapo Opera Theatre in 1981. So he was not new to taking {…}
First making its premiere on Jan. 25, 1909, “Elektra” is a one-act retelling of the Ancient Greek play written by Sophocles. It is set a few short years after the Trojan War and minimizes certain events for the sake of fixating on Elektra’s quest for revenge upon her mother Clytemnestra. In regards to theme and musicality, “Elektra” bears much resemblance to {…}
The Austin Opera has announced its 2018-19 season, which will feature four major operas spread between November 2018 and May 2019. The season opens with Verdi’s “Otello,” the first time the opera will be showcased with the company in 20 years. Issachah Savage takes on the iconic tenor role while Marina Costa-Jackson interprets his wife desdemona. Michael Chioldi rounds out {…}
Opera Atelier has announced its 2018-2019 season featuring two operatic gems. The season opens with a French Baroque double bill featuring Charpentier’s “Actéon” and Rameau’s “Pygmalion.” The operas will star Colin Ainsworth in both title roles, alongside Mireille Asselin (Diana & Amour), Allyson McHardy (Juno & Céphise), Jesse Blumberg, Christopher Enns, Meghan Lindsay, Cynthia Smithers and Anna Sharpe. Marshall Pynkoski directs the production with a choreography by Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg. Performance Dates: {…}