The concert version of Puccini’s “La Rondine” from the Latvian National Opera and Ballet will be streamed live via Operavision on Jan. 11, 2019. The Puccini work will feature Dinara Alieva in the role of Magda with John Irvin as her lover Ruggero. Other cast members include Inga Šļubovska-Kancēviča, Pavel Petrov, Krišjānis Norvelis, and Marlēna Keine, among others. Janis Liepins {…}
In a few weeks, the New York City Opera will continue its championing of bold, dramatic operas — both musically and thematically — with the jazz opera, “Dear Erich.” Premiering at the National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene, at the Museum of Hewish Heritage in Battery Park, New York, the opera uses the idiom of jazz to deal with one of history’s {…}
This review is for the performance on Jan. 4, 2019. They say three times is a charm but in the case of the Metropolitan Opera, it took four tries to finally put on a production worthy of its legendary stature in the opera world. After three lackluster new productions, the company has finally hit a high note with Sir David McVicar’s 2010 {…}
Happy New Year! This is a time of excitement, introspection, and probably a dose of anxiety as we all figure out how we might want to live this next chapter in our lives. There are so many directions our lives can take at a given moment with our priorities constantly shifting. So here’s an opera quiz where you can see {…}
“The last of the old great masters of song” has been a term used to describe the German baritone Benjamin Appl. Hailed for his “sensitive legato,” Appl has performed in both opera and recitals around the world in such stages as Ravinia, Rheingau, Schleswig Holstein, Edinburgh International, Life Victoria Barcelona, Leeds Lieder, Oxford Lieder festivals, and Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, among others. {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced several cast changes for its upcoming “Norma” performance on Jan. 5, 2019. The company announced that Annalisa Stroppa will make her company debut as Adalgisa filling in for Angela Brower, who was originally scheduled. It was also announced that Vlada Borovko will take on the role of Clotilde in all three January performances. Stroppa was {…}
Few mezzo-sopranos have successfully made the transition to becoming top sopranos. Grace Bumbry managed that. She was also a major figure in helping black singers find their rightful place on the opera stage in an era where segregation ran rampant. Born on Jan. 4, 1937, the mezzo was born in St. Louis and won a local radio competition at age {…}
The Semperoper Dresden has announced a number of cast changes for tonight’s “Die Zauberflöte.” In the role of the Queen of the Night, Olga Pudova will step in for Tuuli Takala, who was originally scheduled for the performance. Meanwhile, Tomislav Muzek will replace Martin Mitterrutzner in the role of Tamino and Sebastian Wartig will step in for Bernhard Hansky as Papageno. The {…}
The Opernhaus Zurich is set to celebrate Cecilia Bartoli’s 30th anniversary on Jan. 6, 2019. The company announced that Bartoli will celebrate the milestone with a gala performance of “Semele” at 4 p.m. The performance will be followed by a dinner on stage and the celebration will feature such invitees as the artistic director of the opera house and some {…}
After the holidays, it is unsurprising that few opera companies will be in action. Yet there are still a few that are willing to bet on audiences wanting opera right away after the break. Metropolitan Opera The company that never sleeps, literally never stopped performing throughout the holidays, continuing its offerings the night and day after Christmas and showcasing its {…}
Happy New Year! It’s the first weekend of the year and we’ve got one packed with many operatic classics and some rarities. We’re also excited to see one of today’s greatest mezzos celebrate her 30th anniversary at the Zurich theater. Here is a look at what’s in store for you to see. Andrea Chénier – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Gregory Kunde, Luca Salsi, {…}