Premiering on June 11, 1960, at the Aldenburgh Festival, Benjamin Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” has become one of the most renowned Shakespeare adaptations in the opera canon. The three-act work has been recorded time and again and stands as one of Britten’s most renowned works, alongside “Peter Grimes” and “Billy Budd.” Short Plot Summary Oberon, the King of Fairies, {…}
While there have been a plethora of renowned Russian singers to dominate the opera world, a surprising few have been tenors. Among the tenors who have managed to establish an international career is Vladimir Galouzine, born on June 11, 1956. The dramatic tenor studied at the Novosibirsk Conservatory and started off his career with the corresponding opera company. As is {…}
Many American composers have tried to create “The Next Great American Opera,” but few have succeeded in doing just that. Carlisle Floyd, born on June 11, 1926, did just that. The composer has quite a number of operas to his name, but none stands the test of time quite like “Susannah.” Floyd grew up in South Carolina, eventually moving to {…}
“Tristan und Isolde,” which had its world premiere on June 10, 1865, might be the greatest opera of all time. Or it might simply be the most revolutionary. Its entire musical philosophy was so unique that it revolutionized classical music forever. Wagner wrote the work after falling in love with the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer. He also was involved in {…}
Mezzo-soprano Isabelle Andréani has died. The French mezzo died at the age of 95. Born in Corsica in 1923, Andréani was well known for starring in the Raymond Rouleau production of Bizet’s “Carmen” in 1959. That production included the sets and costumes by Lila de Nobili and would be shown 367 times at the Palais Garnier until 1970. She was also known {…}
Fundación Baluarte has announced its 2018-19 season, featuring two popular operas in the canon and two of the world’s greatest singers in concert. Here is a look. Productions Sabina Puértolas, Antonino Siragusa, Emmanuel Franco, and Pablo Ruiz star in Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore” with Antonnello Allemandi conducting. Performance Dates: Sept. 20-22, 2018 Gregory Kunde takes on his signature “Otello” in Verdi’s {…}
The Portland Opera has announced its 2018-19 season, which five opera productions. “Each opera in the 2018/19 season brings us on a journey – whether that journey is across land, into the arms of love, or an internal journey into self-acceptance and belonging,” says General Director Christopher Mattaliano in a press release. “These stories inspire us time and time again. {…}
Its preludes are themselves landmarks of beauty – but Wagner’s 1850 opera “Lohengrin” is a prelude to his future epics. Rooted in Arthurian legend, taking the son of King Parsifal as its hero, and featuring prayers to the pagan gods Wotan and Freia, it is another battle between the divine and the mortal. In mythical medieval Brabant, Count Friedrich von {…}
Romanian soprano Ileana Cotrubas, born on June 9, 1939, enjoyed a career of two decades, cementing her legacy for a sweet timbre and strong dramatic presence. She came from a musical family, her father a tenor in an amateur choir. She began her career at age nine as a member of a children’s radio choir and by 11 she was {…}
Composer Otto Nicolai, born on June 9, 1810, is not one of the famed composers of the opera world, but he did leave behind one noted masterwork and a unique story. Nicolai was a child prodigy but suffered from a nasty divorce between his parents. He ran away from his parents at the age of 16, taking refuge with a {…}
UPDATE: Medici.TV will also stream the concert at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The World Cup kick-off gala is set to be televised on Channel 1. The gala, which is set to be televised on 1tv.ru from Red Square, will star some of the world’s greatest opera stars, including Anna Netrebko, Plácido Domingo, Ildar Abdrazakov, Albina Shagimuratova, Aida Garifullina, Juan Diego Flórez, and Yusif Eyvazov. Valery {…}
