Leo Nucci is one of the greatest baritones of the 20th century, dominating in the repertoire of Verdi, among other Italian operas. Born on April 16, 1942, he hails from Castiglione dei Pepoli and made his debut in Spoleto as Figaro in Rossini’s “Il barbiere di Siviglia.” A quick run through of his career yield the following dates as his {…}
“Lucia di Lammermoor” is a role known for its high-flying coloratura, its expansive and dramatic scenes and, of course, the mad scene. In order for a Lucia to work, there must be a soprano who can handle all the challenges and a supporting cast that can work around her. There must be a soprano who cannot only conquer the virtuoso {…}
John Oliver, who founded the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood Festival Chorus in 1970, and remained its sole conductor until his retirement in August 2015, has died. Oliver died on April 11, 2018 at the Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, following a long illness, at age 78. Born to Marie and Frank Oliver on June 4, 1939, in Teaneck, N.J, Oliver {…}
Opera Tampa has announced its 2018-19 season, which is set to include four operas including one world premiere. Here is a look at what the season has to offer. The season opens with Johann Strauss’ exquisite “Die Fledermaus.” Joseph Mechavich conducts the work, which is known for its catchy waltzes and unforgettable melodies. Performance Dates: Nov 30 – Dec 02, 2018 The {…}
Composer Felix Jarrar and librettist Brittany Goodwin’s “Tabula Rasa” has been previewed extensively over the last few months as the duo, teaming up with the artists set to perform in the jazz opera’s world premiere, have put together a successful concert series to help raise funds for this independent work. Throughout that “Hello Gorgeous” series, the opera’s creators have let {…}
Filmmaker Milos Forman has passed away. The director, from the Czech Republic, died at the age of 86 according to his representatives Dennis Aspland. Forman, while not an opera director, was most famous for having directed “Amadeus,” the biopic of Mozart’s life which went on to win eight Academy Awards and numerous BAFTA and Golden Globes. The film saw numerous {…}
On April 15, 2018, María José Siri will make her role debut in the title role of Zandonai’s “Francesca da Rimini” at the Teatro alla Scala. The soprano will headline a new production by David Pountney, which is set to be conducted by Maestro Fabio Luisi and will also star Marcelo Puente as Paolo il Bello, Gabriele Viviani as Giovanni {…}
The New York Opera Fest will feature a launch party on May 1, led by the New York Opera Alliance. Every year, the event features a special guest who is honored. This year’s honoree will be music critic, Anne Midgette, “for her support and championship of independent opera companies and the art form as a whole.” “I’m very honored to {…}
Soprano Larisa Martinez will showcase the power of Latin American classic music during a performance on May 1, 2018. Entitled “FIESTA!” the concert will feature the noted soprano and four cellists as they traverse the musical landscape of Spain, Brazil, Cuba, and Argentina. Among the pieces showcased will be Piazzolla’s tangos, traditional Spanish pieces from De Falla, a Zarzuela from {…}
The Music Academy of the West has announced its 71st season which is set for June 11, 2018. The festival will run through August 11, 2018, and will star some of the greatest artists in the world of opera and classical music. As has been the case for these season announcements, the focus will be solely on opera and vocal {…}
Anticipation. Expectancy. The pulse of Act two of “Tristan und Isolde” in concert performance at Carnegie Hall. Under the baton of Andris Nelsons, Ray and Maria Stata Music Director of the Boston Symphony, everything was set in motion – the lover galloping to his beloved, heralded by the offstage brass . The woman waiting with rapid heart-beat for his arrival. The {…}