The Royal Opera has announced the world premiere of George Benjamin’s new opera “Lessons in Love and Violence.” The company announced that the opera will be presented in May 2018 and is inspired by an Elizabethan drama. According to the Royal Opera “the new opera considers what space, if any, exists for love and human affection inside the dangerous machinery of power.” The story centers {…}
Philip Glass is one of the most acclaimed composers of our time. The composer’s minimalist approach to composition balances the melodic with the arpeggiated rhythm. Most will say that his music all sounds the same but if you listen closely, you’ll discover the intricate melodies within the rhythmic structure. On Jan. 31, 1937 Phillip Glass turns 80 and OperaWire takes {…}
Roberto Alagna is now an artist for Sony Classical. The record company announced via Twitter that Alagna had signed a long-term, multi-album deal. In the press statement the company announced that “after a highly acclaimed international career spanning more than thirty years, Alagna had built a huge and dedicated following around the world. Acknowledged as Frances most important classical artist and {…}
Dvorak’s “Rusalka” makes a much-anticipated return to the Metropolitan Opera this Thursday, Feb. 2 in a brand-new production by noted director Mary Zimmerman. The Director Zimmerman made a splash at the Met with her work on three operas from the Bel Canto three – Donizetti, Rossini and Bellini. Her work in “Lucia di Lammermoor” was universally hailed for gothic style. Her {…}
Mario Lanza was born on Jan. 31, 1921, but unfortunately lived just 38 years, dying in 1959. Everyone knows who Lanza is. Regardless of whether you go to the opera or not, the matinee idol’s sunshine voice is among the most recognizable in the history of the 20th century music. Lanza’s great face and our memory of his voice really {…}
The ending of Puccini’s “Turandot” is one of opera’s great tragedies. The composer, at the peak of his power, had composed his most musically daring work to date with some of his most phenomenal strokes of dramatic genius alongside some of his most riveting and enduring melodies. And yet, when he was ever so close to completing it, he hit {…}
It’s Diva week as three of the most popular sopranos will be releasing new albums and DVDs. One will showcase her second album while another will be debuting her first CD. Sonya Yoncheva’s Handel It was only two years ago when Yoncheva impressed in her first album, an homage to Paris. After winning the prestigious Echo Award, it would have {…}
Over the past few years Eric Owens has garnered praise for his heartbreaking and commanding work on stage. One only has to look at his ground-breaking portrayal of Alberich in Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” at the Metropolitan Opera to see the depth and emotional range he gives to each one of his roles. This week the bass is adding another important {…}
Name your favorite Lady Macbeth from Verdi’s opera. Go ahead. I bet many of you threw around the name Maria Callas. Or Leonie Rysanek, Shirley Verrett or in modern times Anna Netrebko, Maria Guleghina or Liudmyla Monastyrska. How many of you had Mara Zampieri at the top of that list? For those of you who picked the Italian soprano, who {…}
The Dallas Opera has announced its 2017-18 season. The company will feature five operas next season, all of them repertory staples. Samson et Dalilah Saint-Saëns’ “Samson et Dalilah” will kick off the proceedings on Oct. 20, 2017 for a run of five performances that ends on Nov. 5. The opera will feature Olga Borodina, who will be making her company {…}
On Jan. 29 ORF and Arte presented Wagner’s “Lohengrin” starring Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala. The opera was one of the highlights from last season as it featured the role debuts of both stars. It also showcased an all star supporting cast that included Evelyn Herlitzius and was conducted by Christian Thielemann. However, the opera was only broadcast in France {…}