(© Carlita Sari) Of Antonín Dvořák’s ten operas, “Rusalka,” written around the dawn of the twentieth century and only a few years before the composer’s death, became his most successful. That this highly romantic fairytale (or should one say, water nymph tale?) should be the most courageous of Opera Australia’s (OA) offerings for the second half of this year, tells {…}
Donald Trump is reportedly considering renaming the entire Kennedy Center after himself. According to reports, Republican Representative Bob Onder of Missouri introduced a bill that sought to rename the Kennedy Center to the “Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts.” The bill was introduced as the “Make Entertainment Great Again Act” and Onder described the President as “a patron of {…}
The Teatro Massimo di Palermo has announced its 2025-26 season. Opera Rachmaninov’s “Aleko” and Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” will be performed in a double bill. Francesco Lanzillotta conducts the production by Silvia Paoli, who will put the two operas in a dialogue. Brian Jagde, Carolina López Moreno, and Elchin Azizov star. Opening Night: Nov. 21, 2025 Puccini’s “La bohème” will star Anastasia Bartoli, Arturo Chacón-Cruz, Hasmik {…}
(Ailyn Pérez photographed in Santa Fe by Curtis Brown for the Santa Fe Opera) The Santa Fe Opera has announced a cast change for its production of “Le Nozze di Figaro.” The company said that soprano Ailyn Pérez will sing the role of Countess Almaviva in all remaining performances, replacing Spanish soprano Marina Monzó, who has withdrawn for personal reasons. Pérez returns to the {…}
Teatro Grattacielo will present three major premieres in its 2026 season. The company revealed its upcoming season in the program for its recent production of “Le Nozze di Figaro.” The program notes indicate that the company will showcase the world premiere of Joseph Summer’s “The Tempest;” the U.S. premiere of the original Italian libretto for Castelnuovo Tedesco’s “The Importance of {…}
OPERA America has announced the 2025 Opera Hall of Fame Inductees. This year’s recipients include baritone and teacher Donnie Ray Albert, librettist and teacher Mark Campbell, mezzo-soprano and teacher Denyce Graves, arts leader and administrator Christopher Hahn, philanthropists and advocates Susan F. and William C. Morris, philanthropists and advocates Bernard and Barbro Osher, and arts administrator and director Francesca Zambello. {…}
(Photo credit: David Monteith-Hodge) Guildhall School of Music & Drama announces its Autumn 2025 season. This article only features classical vocal events. Guildhall Symphony Orchestra and Chorus kick things off with a concert featuring Puccini’s “Messa di Gloria.” Performance Date: September 26, 2025 In celebration of Zbigniew Preisner 70th birthday, the Guildhall Session Orchestra and Choir perform works from his {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week, audiences will get to hear a world premiere recording of a modern masterpiece, a recording by a male soprano, and some modern works. There are also some Bel Canto gems to discover. Intelligence Houston Grand Opera releases a recording of composer {…}
On August 1, 2025, conductor Riccardo Frizza will inaugurate the fifth edition of the Festival Cap Rocat in a gala concert with Pretty Yende. The concert, which will be held at the former fortress in Mallorca, will showcase Frizza conducting the Symphony Orchestra of the Balearic Islands. In a statement, Frizza said, “In just a few years, the festival has {…}
(Photo: Hillary Scott) I imagine that every lover of opera can reference memorable “Toscas” in their life, whether recordings or live performances. My first–as a young buff, via a vinyl box set–was indeed a classic. All thanks to Gino, who–many years ago–managed the classical section of LPs at Sam Goody’s in Yonkers. He could always be relied upon for spot-on {…}
(Credit: Michele Corsera) The Teatro La Fenice is set to stream its production of Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena.” The company announced it would stream the work on YouTube on August 1 in a production by Pier Luigi Pizzi. Renato Balsadonna conducts the work, which stars Alex Esposito, Lidia Fridman in her role debut, Carmela Remigio, William Corrò, Enea Scala, and Manuela {…}
