“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features the popular hit {…}
The last time “Ernani” was presented at La Scala was during the 1982-83 season, starring Plácido Domingo and Mirella Freni, and conducted by Riccardo Muti. Given that it has a claim for being Verdi’s finest opera from his early period, 36 years between productions is a long time. Yet this should not come as a surprise for “Ernani” has suffered {…}
The Beijing Music Festival is celebrating its 21st anniversary by bringing a diverse array of repertoire intent on exploring its innovative and boundary-crossing initiatives. This year alone, the festival is showcasing a half-dozen diverse works of music drama and theatre. It opened its festival with “Farewell My Concubine,” a Chinese opera that brings together a classic story with traditional Chinese {…}
It all began with five ladies who belonged to Pittsburgh’s Tuesday Musical Club: pianist Virginia C. Byerly; contralto Carolyn Hunt Mahaffey; Priscilla W. Collins; Ruby N. Wickersham; and Marie M. Pease. In 1939, 80 years ago this season, these Founding Five established The Pittsburgh Opera Society, which would become the seventh-oldest opera company in the United States. The first production, {…}
What has been the most unusual venue you’ve ever been to for an operatic performance? Have one in mind? Great. Well, in a few moments, I will describe mine, from this past Friday, October 12, 2018. Unison Media, a company promoting and curating very different classical music events, teamed up with – if one can use such a cavalier expression {…}
Christiane Karg has canceled her appearances in Bayerische Staatsoper’s upcoming new production of Smetana’s “The Bartered Bride.” The company announced that Karg was forced to withdraw from the production because she is pregnant and as a result will not sing the December nor the July run of the opera. As a result, Selene Zanetti will take on the role of {…}
Operantics has announced that its 2019 production will be Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro.” This will be the company’s fifth season and the first time that it stages a production with orchestra. Luke Spicer will work as Music director and conductor for the Mozart classic. The news was announced during the company’s Gala Concert “Opera in the Gallery.” The funds {…}
Rolando Panerai, born on Oct. 17, 1924, was one of opera’s most prolific artists. Born in Campi Bizensio, he studied at the Florence Conservatory before continuing his musical education in Milan. He made his stage debut in 1947 in Naples in Rossini’s “Mosè in Egitto.” In 1951, he made his La Scala debut as Sharpless in “Madama Butterfly,” this fame {…}
Long Beach Opera has announced that Jennifer Rivera will be its Executive Director and CEO. Rivera, who performed around the world as a mezzo-soprano for several decades, was a former winner of the Debut Artist of the Year by the New York City Opera. She also obtained two Grammy nominations and even won the Helpmann Award. She was also an {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Wolfgang Koch has withdrawn from the fall run of “Tosca.” The company announced that Koch, who was set to debut with the company, had to withdraw due to illness. As a result, Željko Lučić will sing the role of Scarpia on opening night on Oct. 25 and Claudio Sgura will sing the remaining six performances {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has added performances of Puccini’s “La Bohème.” The two performances will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 29 and Jan. 31, 2019 to make up for the canceled shows from last week when the company had experienced a strike from the members of the orchestra. Per a press release, casting will be announced at a later {…}