CD / DVD Releases – Week of April 16: Magdalena Kožená & Max Emanuel Cencic Headline New Releases

This week, two rarely-performed works will get DVD and CD releases while one major artist releases a crossover album. There will also be a major archival release that should be popular among opera lovers. Il Borgomastro di Saardam Dynamic releases a rarely-performed Donizetti work from the Fondzaione Donizetti. Roberto Rizzi Brignoli conducts the work with Juan Francisco Gatell, Andrea Concetti, {…}

Apr 17, 2018

Oper Graz 2017-18 Review – ll Viaggio a Reims: Rossini Comedy a Sparkling Triumph Worthy of Maison Krug.

Gioachino Rossini was not just an enormously successful composer and gourmand extraordinaire, but also a highly astute businessman. When he eventually went to the celestial grande bouffe in 1868, he left an estate worth millions of francs. According to Sosthènes de la Rochefoucauld, Rossini composed “Il Viaggio a Reims” as “un homage complètement désintéressé,” which was 19th century French Court-speak for {…}

Apr 17, 2018

Bard Summerscape 2018 To Present Three Rarely Performed Operas

The Bard Summerscape has announced its 2018 festival programming and will present three operatic selections. Since its inception, the festival has been committed to reviving important but neglected operas and this year will be no different. In 2018, the festival will present a new American production of “The Demon” by Anton Rubinstein The opera will be headlined by Olga Tolkmit {…}

Apr 17, 2018

Pretty Yende, Diana Damrau & Russell Thomas Headline Deutsche Oper Berlin’s 2018-19 Season

( Photo credit: Manfred Brückels) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its 2018-19 season featuring seven new productions and numerous revivals. The season will also include some of today’s biggest stars as well numerous ensemble members. Here is a look! New Productions Johan Reuter takes on the title role in Berg’s “Wozzeck” in a new production by Ole Anders Tanberg’s {…}

Apr 17, 2018

Chicago Opera Theater 2018-19 Season – Il Pigmalione / Rita: Donizetti Donizetti Double Bill Is A Masterclass in Composition

Editor’s Note: You may notice that we previously published a review on this double bill recently. This is another perspective on the same production for your enjoyment and Insight. The Chicago Opera Theater’s April 14, 20, and 22 double-bill presentation at the Studebaker Theater of “Il Pigmalione” and “Rita,” Donizetti’s first and last operas gave the listener a masterclass in {…}

Apr 16, 2018

Komische Oper Berlin 2018-19 Season To Feature Anne Sofie Von Otter & Scott Hendricks

The Komische Oper has announced its 2018-19 season featuring a seven new productions and a number of unique rarely performed works. Here is a look at what the season will offer. Premieres Korngold’s “Die tote Stadt” featuring Ales Briscein, Sara Jakubiak, and Gunter Papendell. Robert Carsen directs the rarely performed classic. Performance Dates: Sept 30; October 6, 14, 31; November 18, {…}

Apr 16, 2018

Opera Profile: Meyerbeer’s Masterpiece ‘Le Prophète’

Of all of Meyerbeer’s greatest opera, “Le Prophète” likely reigns supreme above them all. The opera, which had its world premiere in Paris on April 16, 1849, features the richest and most complex characters of the composer’s oeuvre. While the work has never had the prominence of “Robert le Diable” or “Les Huguenots,” it is bound for a major revival {…}

Apr 16, 2018

Artist Of The Week: Eric Cutler Opens A New Production Of ‘Lohengrin’

For years Eric Cutler was known as a lyric tenor singing high-flying bel canto lines and light tenor roles. He was in demand for operas by Donizetti, Bellini and Gounod. However, in recent years Cutler’s voice has grown into a dramatic tenor taking on heavier roles from Massenet, Offenbach, Strauss, Bizet, and Beethoven. This week he sings “Lohengrin.” Cutler makes his {…}

Apr 16, 2018

Artist Profile: Siegfried Jerusalem, Wagnerian Hero

Siegfried Jerusalem could not have been better named. The Oberhausen native, born on April 17, 1940, would grow up to be one of the great 20th century interpreters of his namesake in Wagner’s famed “Der Ring des Nibelungen.” The tenor actually studied piano, violin, and bassoon in his formative years and started his career as a bassoon player. Eventually, at {…}

Apr 16, 2018

Vienna State Opera 2017-18 Live Stream: Lise Lindstrom, Roberto Alagna, Aleksandra Kurzak Star in ‘Turandot’

Puccini’s “Turandot” hits the web this week from the Vienna State Opera as part of its live stream series throughout the season. The showcase on April 20 is set to star Lise Lindstrom in the title role of the icy princess while Roberto Alagna plays Calaf and his wife Aleksandra Kurzak takes on the role of Liù. Frédéric Chaslin conducts {…}

Apr 16, 2018

Metropolitan Opera 2017-18 Preview: ‘Tosca’ To Be Netrebko’s Third Met Role Debut

On Saturday, April 21, 2018, superstar soprano Anna Netrebko will make her role debut as “Tosca” at the Metropolitan Opera. The role of the famed diva will be the 20th role of Netrebko’s Met career, but shockingly, it will only be the third time she makes a role debut with the company. Throughout her career, Netrebko has had the tendency {…}