“As One” has become one of the major works of American opera in the 21st century. The work has been the most produced new opera in North America since its debut in September of 2014 and its revival by the New York City Opera this summer bears out why. The work, created by composer Laura Kaminsky and librettist Mark Campbell {…}
“Lulu” was Alban Berg’s second opera. He worked on it between 1929 and 1935, but unfortunately never completed the work by the time of his death in 1935. The work had a posthumous world premiere on June 2, 1937 and was “completed” over 40 years later in 1979. Despite never being completed by the composer, the work has become a {…}
For many artists, Verdi’s operas are the supreme pinnacle that they work towards. Getting there and being one of the foremost interpreters of his work often requires tremendous technique skill, but also great artistic maturity. For tenor Enea Scala, Verdi has always been a dream from the start of his career. While he has focused on the Bel Canto repertoire for {…}
Sydney-based Pinchgut Opera became the first Australian company to win an International Opera Award when it was recently awarded best “Rediscovered Work” for Hasse’s 1740 “Artaserse” at this year’s Awards in London. OperaWire talked to the organization’s Artistic Director, Erin Helyard about the company’s beginnings, upcoming projects, and future endeavors. . OperaWire: What is Pinchgut? What is its brief and {…}
Sonya Yoncheva has canceled her first performance of Puccini’s “Tosca” at the Opera de Paris. The company announced that due to health reasons, Yoncheva will be unable to perform. As a result, Elena Stikhina will replace Yoncheva. Stikhina is currently rehearsing Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” with the company, which opens on June 6. The soprano is set to alternate with {…}
Barbara Hannigan doesn’t like being called a genius. “I work hard,” she always retorts. And that’s true. To catch Barbara Hannigan for an interview is very tricky. At the time of this interview, the soprano has just finished her work in Copenhagen, where she performed as a conductor alongside the young artists from her Equilibrium project, and also sang Abrahamsen’s {…}
Opera singers are a bit—how shall we put this—odd. We do random lip trills in public, insert opera puns into everyday conversations, and break out singing at the drop of a hat. We have special singing wardrobes in our closets and we have entire bookcases devoted to sheet music. Objectively, we are a lot to… Handel. If you think you’re {…}
The New York Opera Fest 2019 kicked off on Monday, April 29 and for the next several weeks, New Yorkers will get ample opportunity to enjoy opera in a variety of unique ways. As has been OperaWire’s tradition over the years, we have reached out to a number of the companies participating in the festival and have asked the company’s {…}
The Semperoper Dresden has announced a cast change for the June 2 performance of “Carmen.” The company announced that Bogdan Baciu will sing Escamillo in the performance replacing Alexey Markov who is ill. Baciu is a member of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein where has performed numerous leading roles and has also sung at the Staatstheater Stuttgart as well as the Oper {…}
Daniela Barcellona has canceled her performances of Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” at the Teatro Regio di Torino. The mezzo-soprano announced via social media that due to familial reasons she was forced to cancel. As a result, Sonia Ganassi will take over the role of Santuzza. Ganassi is a recognized mezzo who has performed “Cavalleria Rusticana” at the Semperoper Dresden, Teatro Massimo {…}
The Palau de les Arts has announced a varied 2019-20 season featuring operas, zarzuelas, concerts, and recitals. Here is a look. Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” is set to be conducted by Christopher Moulds in a production by Emilio Sagi. The cast will be headed by Andrzej Filończyk, María José Moreno, Sabina Puértolas, Robert Gleadow, Cecilia Molinari, Susana Cordón, and Valeriano Lanchas. Performance {…}
