Vienna State Opera 2017-18 Review – Samson et Dalila: Despite Solid Turns From Roberto Alagna and Elina Garanca, Modern Makeover of Classic Bible Story Goes Up In Flames (Literally)

Taking the biblical element out of “Samson et Dalila” makes about as much sense as setting “Madama Butterfly” in Botswana. Typical of many opera directors trained in the theater, Alexandra Liedtke seems to have limited understanding of Saint-Saëns’ music and even less about Lemaire’s libretto. As is often the case when a regisseur feels their genius may be unappreciated, Liedtke chose {…}

May 19, 2018

Teatro La Fenice 2017-18 Review – Norma: Soprano Mariella Devia Reigns Supreme In Final Staged Production

The evening was all about Mariella Devia. At the age of 70, and following a hugely successful career, in which she has performed some of opera’s greatest soprano roles in the world’s most famous opera houses, she is taking her final curtain calls at the Teatro la Fenice in three performance as Bellini’s “Norma,” a wonderfully appropriate role for the {…}

May 19, 2018

Deutsche Oper Berlin 2017-18 Review – Rigoletto: Zeljko Lucic To The Rescue In Muddled Jan Bosse Production

The Deutsche Oper Berlin had a problem for its final presentation of “Rigoletto” on Thursday night. The baritone Markus Bruck was forced to cancel around noon that day from his scheduled appearance in the title role. Fortunately, the company had a tremendous solution at hand. The Serbian baritone Zeljko Lucic was available since he was present to perform in “Nabucco” {…}

May 19, 2018

Semperoper Dresden 2017-18 Review – La Forza del Destino: Mark Wigglesworth’s Music Making Overcomes Uneven Leads in Unique Production

Dresden’s Semperoper’s production of “La Forza del Destino” showed how Verdi once again cut a big swathe in subject matter: the idea of fate, “schicksal,” “destino”, destiny, and its power over human emotions and actions. Prize-winning British conductor Mark Wigglesworth led the orchestra through the highs and lows of the tension in such a dialectic, never sacrificing the glories of {…}

May 19, 2018

Metropolitan Opera Sues James Levine

The Metropolitan Opera has sued James Levine. Two months after James Levine filed a lawsuit against the company for having dismissed him, the Met is suing the conductor for $5.8 million for having harmed the company. In a report filed on Friday, May 18, the Metropolitan Opera alleged that Levine had sexually assaulted nine young artists including two previously unreported {…}

May 18, 2018

Florida Grand Opera Announces 2018-19 Season Studio Artists

The Florida Grand Opera has announced the 2018-19 Season Studio Artists. Known for being one of the most respected and highly competitive studio programs in the nation, the FGO Studio, led by Artistic Directors Diana Soviero and Bernard Uzan, announced that tenor Isaac Frishman, baritone Sean Galligan, mezzo-soprano Zaray Rodriguez would be first year studio artists, while tenor Dominick Corbacio, baritone {…}

May 18, 2018

Tan Dun’s ‘Buddha Passion’ To World Premiere in Dresden on May 23

Tan Dun is set to world premiere his new opera “Buddha Passion” at the Dresden Music Festival this coming May 23, 2018. The work is a joint commission by the Dresdner Musikfestspiele, the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and will be sung in Chinese and Sanskrit. The work is written for seven soloists, {…}

May 18, 2018

Cecilia Bartoli, Philippe Jaroussky, Julie Fuchs Among Stars of Salzburg Whitun Festival 2019

The Salzburg Whitun Festival has announced its 2019 season, which also included a special message from its artistic director Cecilia Bartoli. “It is no coincidence that I can realize the idea now, when discussions about the abuse of the bodily integrity of artists have become so topical,” Bartoli stated in a press released. “In the name of art, thousands of {…}

May 18, 2018

Michelle Bradley, John Chest & Layla Claire Headline Opera National De Lorraine’s 2018-19 Season

The Opera National de Lorraine has announced its 2018-19 season featuring three new productions, including one world premiere. Here is a look at what audiences can expect. Productions Michelle Bradley sings the title role in Verdi’s “Aida” with Gianluca Terranova as Radamès and Enkelejda Shokoza as Amneris. Giuliano Carella conducts the productions. Performance Dates: Sept. 25-Oct. 4, 2018 Offenbach’s “La Belle {…}

May 18, 2018

Artist Profile: Ezio Pinza’s Legendary Career Sans Music Reading

Italian bass Ezio Pinza, born on May 18, 1892, never learned to read music. But that didn’t stop him from enjoying a massively successful career. The bass grew up in Ravenna and would study in Bologna. He made his Operatic debut in 1914 at Cremona. After four years of Military service during World War I, he made his La Scala {…}

May 18, 2018

Top 6 Operas to See This Weekend – International (5/18-20): Anna Caterina Antonacci, Cecilia Bartoli & Juan Diego Florez Headline Productions

The weekend will offer a lot of Bel canto, verismo, 20th-century masterpieces, and one world premiere that should not be missed by anyone. And it also includes a number of legendary stars, as well as some of the most famous in the world. Here are top six to see this weekend. L’Italiana in Algeri – Salzburg Festival, Austria Cecilia Bartoli {…}