Jonas Kaufmann has cancelled his final performance at the Barbican. The tenor sent out a message on Facebook that stated, “Dear Friends, Jonas deeply regrets that because he has bronchitis his concert at the Barbican is cancelled. In due course they hope to reschedule this concert to a future date. Thomas Voigt.” The concert was to have included Strauss’ “Vier letzte {…}
The 2017 Grammy awards have been handed out with many surprises in the Classical categories. Pentatone Music went home with two Grammys for Corigliano’s “The Ghosts Of Versailles.” The categories included Best Opera Recording and Best Engineered Album. Among the winners in the categories for engineering were Mark Donahue, Fred Vogler & David L Williams. The performers who won for Best Opera Recording {…}
This review is for the performance on Feb. 11, 2017. What happens when the Metropolitan Opera casts four superstars into Bellini’s final opera? The answer is golden age singing. For years “I Puritani” has been a vehicle at the Metropolitan Opera to promote the diva and sometimes has made casting uneven with little attention paid to who can sing the incredibly {…}
The Welsh National Opera announced its 2017-18 season, a schedule that features works accompanying certain themes and concepts. Fall 2018 – Russian Revolution The autumn season will kick off with three Russian-themed works – “Eugene Onegin,” “Khovanshchina” and Janácek’s “From The House of the Dead,” which is based on Dostoevsky’s book. This segment intents to honor the centenary of the {…}
Pittsburgh Opera’s 2017-18 season is set to keep opera modern with three new works making their way onto the schedule. The season will kick off with “Tosca” starring soprano Leah Crocetto alongside Mark Delavan. That run will start on Oct. 7 and end on the15th. On Nov. 4, “Le Nozze di Figaro” bows with Joélle Harvey, Danielle Pastin and Corrie {…}
This article was done in collaboration with OperaFashion, a blog dedicated to fashion and the opera world. On Feb. 9 at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofìa in Valencia, “La Traviata,” Giuseppe Verdi’s beloved opera, premiered in a new production from the Teatro dell’Opera in Roma and the Foundation of Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti. The production included costumes designed by the Maison Valentino. Maria {…}
February 11, 1840. Donizetti was premiering his latest work, a French comedy known as “La Fille du Regiment.” Among his works, it was a true rarity in its approach to style. He had a lot banking on this work, looking to fully establish his reputation in the cultural capital of the world. But it was a disaster. One of the {…}
This weekend, US audiences will get a chance to see a few major stars appear on two of the world’s biggest stages. To kick things off is the opening of “I Puritani” at the Metropolitan Opera featuring Javier Camarena and Diana Damrau. The performance kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EST. Keep an eye out for a review from OperaWire at {…}
Another busy week for the world’s leading opera singers, but that has not stopped them from connecting with fans via social media. Nadine Sierra made everyone realize how much work went into getting her hair ready for a performance of “The Magic Flute.” Sending a big thank you to @_fab_official for coming backstage at @operadeparis for this awesome interview. I’ve {…}
On Friday, Feb. 10, legendary soprano soprano Leontyne Price turns 90. The soprano is perhaps one of the greatest in the history of all of opera, her influence spreading far and wide. Not only do other artists embrace her greatness, but her prominence on the operatic stage in the 50’s and 60’s helped open the door for black singers to {…}
It’s Feburary so all companies are in full swing. This weekend Verdi and Strauss highlight major houses and Joyce DiDonato returns to the stage with a new role. Here is a look! Austria Audiences are in for a triple Verdi weekend at the Wiener Staatsoper starting with “Otello” starring Kristian Benedikt, Carlos Álvarez and Olga Bezsmertna. It will be followed {…}