The last time that New York audiences got a chance to see Massenet’s “Hérodiade” was back in 1995 when the Opera Orchestra of New York took on this grand opera. And it’s a shame because before Friday, May 10, 2019, they were all missing out on something truly captivating and inspiring. Thanks to the New Amsterdam Opera, we got a {…}
Jules Massenet was born on May 12, 1842 and would go on to become arguably the most impactful French composer of the Romantic era. When we look at the standard repertory, Massenet’s place is firmly locked in with two of his works among the greatest ever created. In celebration of his birthday, some of our writers came together to muse {…}
The String Orchestra of Brooklyn is set to perform a new works by Phil Kline and Gregory Spears at Roulette. The performance, scheduled for June 8, 2019, will showcase Kline’s “Four Songs from Florida Man” with Theo Bleckmann. Meanwhile Spears’ Concerto for Two Trumpets and Strings will also get its world premeire. Kline’s song cycle features four songs, including “Florida {…}
”Sun & Sea (Marina),” a new opera-performance by director Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė, writer Vaiva Grainytė, and composer Lina Lapelytė, took the main award of the 58th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia — Golden Lion for Best National Participation. The Lithuanian Pavilion in the historic quayside building within the Marina Militare complex has been transformed into an artificially-lit beach {…}
It’s been over 20 years since I’ve seen a live production of “Carmen,” so my anticipation was high for opening night of Seattle Opera’s updated production. Does absence makes operatic eyes and ears grow fonder? The boldly designed act curtain that welcomed us called to mind a giant, colorful yet tattered roadside billboard with the word “Carmen” in bright relief, {…}
In non-German speaking countries, Carl Maria von Weber’s 1821 opera “Der Freischütz” is a bit of a seltener Vogel. In the past five years, apart from Matthias Hartmann’s memorable production at La Scala in 2017 and Mark Elder’s concert version at the Royal Festival Hall the year before, Anglophone audiences remain largely unexposed to this groundbreaking romantic German opera. The {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2019 Summer Encores series which will feature four total operas over the years. First up will be “Roméo et Juliette” which features Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolo in the title roles. This was transmitted live on Jan. 21, 2017, but this summer will appear in the U.S. on June 19, 2019 and in Canada {…}
Opera has a number of mother figures throughout its history. Many people tend to remember the most vile of mothers, but there are a fair share of women portrayed in positive light in relation to their children and their world. So for this week’s quiz, we are going to give you a prompt and ask you to figure out which {…}
As much as I love opera, new operatic compositions, their respective composer haven’t made as big an impact in the collective imaginations as they used to when Händel or Mozart were around. So, in terms of cultural relevancy, influence and fame, I pondered on what the new millennium’s musical equivalent to opera would be? I would surprise no one by {…}
The Opera National du Rhin has announced its 2019-20 season featuring a number of new productions and world premieres. Giuliano Carella conducts the opening night gala with soloists Olivier Breitman, Ambroisine Bré, Pumeza Matshikiza, and Ezgi Kutlu. Performance Dates: Sept. 25-28, 2019 Philip Venable’s “4.48 Psychosis” gets its first production by Ted Huffman, who directed the work at the Royal Opera {…}
Collectio Musicorum (“Collection of Music”) is set to present highlights from Verdi’s “Rigoletto” and explore the many sounds behind the masterpiece. The opera, which was composed in 1850 was based on Victor Hugo’s “Le Roi S’Amuse” and the title character in Rigoletto was based on a real jester, Nicolas Ferrial, called Triboulet who lived from 1479 to 1536. In this concert, {…}
