Famed opera director Johannes Felsenstein has passed away on Oct. 30, 2017 at the age of 73. Born in 1944, he was the son of Walter Felsenstein, longtime director and founder of the Komische Oper Berlin. His father, unsurprisingly, was a major influence on his career growth, teaching the young Felsenstein about direction. Felsenstein would become an assistant at the {…}
In order to successfully produce any work for the theatre, be it an opera or otherwise, a director must have a clear vision of the themes they wish to explore or highlight, and of the means by which they will present them, so that the audience can engage with the work in an intelligent and meaningful way. Fiona Shaw, the {…}
It’s a rather quiet weekend for opera houses with many companies presenting ballet or concert series. Still, there are many favorites for opera fans! Austria “Katja Kabanova” highlights the Vienna State Opera starring Wolfgang Bankl, Herbert Lippert, Janina Baechle, Leonardo Navarro, Evelyn Herlitzius and Carlos Osuna. The company will also showcase “Un Ballo in Maschera” with Piero Pretti, Marco Caria, and Adrianne Pieczonka. {…}
All is well in the state of Portland Opera. The organization recently unveiled a report highlighting the major achievements that the organization has undergone in recent times. “Opera and the arts contribute to the creation of healthy communities and strategic growth,” stated Kay Abramowitz, President of the Board of Directors for Portland Opera and partner at Miller Nash Graham & Dunn {…}
Opera Parallèle is slated to showcase an essential world premiere when it showcases “Harriet’s Spirit,” an opera centered on the life of abolitionist and humanitarian Harriet Tubman. The opera, composed by jazz artist and composer Marcus Shelby and written by librettist Roma Olvera, will take place on Jan. 18 and 20 as part of the company’s famed Hands-On Opera Program. {…}
On Oct. 27, 2017, British born tenor Brian Galliford passed away after a long struggle with cancer. He was just 53. Born on Jan. 8, 1964, Galliford studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, ultimately going on to a solid European career. He was a fixture at such theaters as Vorarlberger Landestheater Bregenz, Komische Oper Berlin, Niedersächsische Staatstheater Hannover, Vlaamse {…}
Tenor Rolando Villazón and bass Ildar Abdrazakov made a fun video to promote their new album. Preparing for the next adventure… On tour with @ildarabdrazakov and #duets! Go to rolandovillazon.com/schedule for dates and tickets! A post shared by Rolando Villazón (@rolandovillazon) on Oct 28, 2017 at 12:08pm PDT Soprano Lisette Oropesa prepared for her ROH debut… Today is the final {…}
Music was always a major part of bass-baritone Wayne Tigges’ youth. As the youngest of 10 kids, his father was part of a professional barbershop quartet and the majority of his family members were singers in one way or another. The young Tigges was also a lead singer in a heavy metal band called Aftershock. From there he would eventually {…}
This weekend will feature a ton of opera across North America, with companies opening a number of productions and others closing them up. First, let’s take a look at the new runs opening this week. Saratoga Opera’s “La Traviata” gets its first performances on Friday and Sunday while Opera Omaha presents its only two “Tosca” showcases of the year those {…}
Leos Janácek’s famed “Katja Kabanova” hits the internet live from the Vienna State Opera on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017. The performance comes courtesy of the company’s season-long streaming of its performances. The production, which is directed by André Engel and Ruth Orthman will be conducted by Graeme Jenkins and will feature Evelyn Herlitzius in the title role. Additionally, the cast {…}
Vincenzo Bellini isn’t the most revolutionary of opera composers. In fact, his work is rather simple and his operas, most of them featuring questionable libretti, are not necessarily the most complex dramatic works (with the exception of “Norma”). And yet, the composer, born on Nov. 3, 1801, is among the most beloved in the opera world and even earned the {…}