PBS will showcase the Live in HD broadcast of “Samson et Dalila” from the Metropolitan Opera as part of its Great Performances Series on Sunday, March 24, 2019. The broadcast will kick off at 12 p.m. EDT and features tenor Roberto Alagna and Mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca in the title roles. Other cast members include Laurent Naouri, Elchin Azizov, and Dmitry {…}
Eelena Mosuc is one of the leading sopranos of her generation and one of the reigning Bel Canto singers of today. A native of Romania, she has been awarded multiple prizes for her musicianship and has been closely connected with the Zürich Opera House throughout her storied career. Among the operas that she has dominated over the years are “Lucrezia {…}
If you’ve never attended a performance of the Mass in B-Minor, its reputation as one of the greatest works of art in the history of Western civilization can be a little intimidating, and it sets a pretty high bar, even for Mr. Bach. Though I know the work moderately well from recordings, last Thursday night, March 14, 2019, was my {…}
For the last few years, Vittorio Prato has become one of the most promising baritones in opera. He has specialized in the bel canto repertory, singing leading roles in Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini operas, as well as Mozart. However, in recent times, he has slowly moved into verismo roles. He has also sung in many of the leading theaters in the world, {…}
The Handel and Haydn Society is set to perform Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas.” The stage production will be directed by Aidan Lang, current general director of the Seattle Opera and future leader of the Welsh National Opera. Soprano Susan Bickley will perform the role of Dido, while baritone David McFerrin will take on the role of Aeneas. The cast is rounded {…}
Unison Media has announced the second season The Angel’s Share with numerous concerts featuring celebrated singers and great artists. Henry Purcell’ “Dido & Aeneas” will be showcased in a production directed by Alek Shrader. The cast features opera stars Daniela Mack as Dido and Christopher Herbert as Aeneas with Randall Scotting as the Sorceress. Other cast members include Marc Molomot as Achates, Brooke Larimer {…}
Donald Grayston Burgess has passed away sometime around March 7, 2019. Born on April 7, 1932, Burgess would join his local choir school in Canterbury at the age of eight before wartime bombings would force his family, among many others, to relocate to Cornwall. Returning to Canterbury as head chorister at the age of 13, Burgess would continue to dedicate {…}
Resonance Works is set to present Bach’s dramatic St. John Passion. The performance will feature baritone Joshua Jeremiah in the role of Pilate, Serbian baritone Ivan Plazačić will sing the role of Jesus Christ, and noted Bach interpreter tenor Joseph Gaines will be the principal storyteller in the passions. The cast is joined by the Resonance Chamber Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by {…}
Jules Massenet’s “Werther” will be showcased live from the Bergen National Opera via Operavision’s live streaming service. The stream kicks off at 7 p.m. local time on March 22. That’s around 2 p.m. EDT and 11 a.m. PST for the start time. It will be available for repeat viewings on Opera Vision until April. 21, 2019. Edgaras Montvidas will star {…}
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov is one of the most influential Russian composers of the 19th century. Born on March 18, 1844, he started composition at age 10 but preferred literature over music. During his school years he started to take piano lessons and slowly cultivated his music talents throughout those formative years. When he arrived in St. Petersburg in 1865, he met {…}
Great Performances will feature “Birgit Nilsson: A League of Her Own” on PBS as part of Women’s History Month on March 22, 2019. The documentary tells the story of the famed soprano through narrations and interviews with some of opera’s great figures. Among those features are Plácido Domingo, Jonas Kaufmann, Marilyn Horne, Nina Stemme, Antonio Pappano, Christa Ludwig, Barry Tucker, {…}