Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – International (4/28-30): Jonas Kaufmann, Rolando Villazon & Gregory Kunde Lead Star-Studded Weekend

The weekend looks star-studded with many operatic classics being performed by some of the greatest stars . There are also two interesting new productions to look forward to. Andrea Chénier – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Jonas Kaufmann brings his acclaimed Andrea Chénier to the Vienna State Opera and his frequent stage partner Anja Harteros sings the role of Maddalena. Marco Armiliato {…}

Apr 27, 2018

Artist Profile: Soprano Judith Blegen & Her Lengthy Met Opera Career

Kentucky-born soprano Judith Blegen, born on April 27, 1941, made a successful career dominated by her association with the Metropolitan Opera. She actually kicked off her career studying violin before switching over to voice at the Curtis Institute of Music and then went to Rome to continue her vocal studies. She would eventually kick off her career in Germany and {…}

Apr 26, 2018

Nihad Fathy Makes History In Saudi Arabia

Nihad Fathy made history on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Saudi Arabia, becoming the first female singer to perform before a mixed audience for the first time in the country. Egypt’s National Arab Music Ensemble (AME) of the Egyptian Opera House debuted in the Kingdom with Fathy performing before a 2,500 audience at King Fahad Cultural Center in Riyadh. “This {…}

Apr 26, 2018

San Francisco Opera Announces Single Tickets For Wagner’s Ring

On May 1, 2018, tickets to individual performances of Richard Wagner’s four-opera cycle, “Der Ring des Nibelungen” will be available for the San Francisco Opera’s summer revival. The announcement comes after performances were only available as complete cycle packages. Seats for all 12 performances in three full cycles of Wagner’s Ring will be available for purchase individually and in build-your-own cycles. Availability {…}

Apr 26, 2018

Unison Media & Green-Wood Unite To Present The Angel’s Share

Unison Media and The Green-Wood Historic Fund have announced “The Angel’s Share,” a new series of opera and chamber music concerts taking place in Green-Wood’s remarkable Catacombs. The catacombs are one of the oldest structures in the 478-acre National Historic Landmark cemetery and were built in the 1850s. The series takes its name from the distiller’s term for whiskey that {…}

Apr 26, 2018

Arena Di Verona Announces Casting For 2018 Festival

The Arena di Verona has announced its casting for the 2018 festival, showcasing some of the biggest stars in the opera world. Here is a breakdown of what stars will grace the stage of the famous arena. Carmen Three mezzos take on the iconic role of “Carmen” including Anna Goryachova and Carmen Topciu. They are joined by four Don José’s including Brian Jagde, {…}

Apr 26, 2018

Gianandrea Noseda Breaks Ties With Teatro Regio Di Torino

Gianandrea Noseda has decided to break his relationship with the Teatro Regio di Torino. The conductor put out a statement noting that the recent actions of the board were not in accordance with how he viewed the future of the company. Here is the full statement: “The recent actions taken by the board of the Teatro Regio Torino are disappointing {…}

Apr 26, 2018

Carnegie Hall 2017-18 Review: Lawrence Brownlee Bares All With New York Premiere of “Cycles of My Being”

Being one of the leading tenors in the operatic world, Lawrence Brownlee is no stranger to interpreting works of art and lending them his own brand of beauty and meaning. On April 24, Brownlee took to Carnegie Hall to deliver a performance nearer and dearer to his heart, and one that places a firm finger on the pulse of tensions {…}

Apr 26, 2018

Obituary: Huguette Tourangeau Dies At 79

Mezzo-soprano Huguette Tourangeau has passed away. The Canadian Mezzo, who won the Metropolitan National Council auditions in 1964, went on to have an international career after her successful debut as Mercédès in “Carmen” under Zubin Mehta, in 1964. From there she went on to perform leading roles, including “Carmen,” which she toured in North America in a total of 56 cities {…}

Apr 26, 2018

Opera National De Paris 2018-19 Season: Here Is A Look At All The Live In HD Performances

The Opéra National de Paris has announced its cinema season for the 2018-19 season. Here is a look at the works that you can expect to see on the silver screen. Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots (Oct. 4, 2018): The season begins with Meyerbeer’s grand opera starring Bryan Hymel, Diana Damrau, Ermonela Jaho, and Nicolas Testé. Michele Mariotti conducts Andreas Kriegenburg’s new production. Verdi’s {…}

Apr 26, 2018

Artist Profile: Contralto Ewa Podles & Her Expansive Range

Few singers had or have what Polish coloratura contralto Ewa Podles had – an expansive range. A three-octave range to be exact. Born on April 26, 1952 in Warsaw, Poland, Podles studied a the Warsaw Academy of Music and quickly established herself internationally at the age of 32 when she made her Metropolitan Opera debut in the title role of {…}