Ukrainian baritone Vitaliy Bilyy is set to replace Dmitri Hvorostovsky in the Royal Opera House’s revival of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” Bilyy will make his Royal Opera debut as Count di Luna, having previously triumphed in the role at the Metropolitan Opera, Opéra National de Paris and Bavarian State Opera. Bilyy is slowly becoming one of the most in demand baritones as he has {…}
Not many people get the chance to see an opera singer up close and personal. Even in a recital hall or opera house, there is a distance created by the stage. The connection comes from the music and the artistic involvement on both ends of the spectrum. But on Tuesday, New York students were able to get an experience few {…}
Opera star Deborah Voigt has always been one to dabble with unique projects throughout her career. She published an autobiography and was also one of the top hosts on the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD season. Now she will return to the screen, albeit a smaller one, for a made for TV-and-Online opera. The soprano is slated to perform in {…}
Kirsten Chambers will make her Met debut in the title role of this evening’s performance of Strauss’s “Salome,” replacing Patricia Racette, who is ill. Th Met press office announced the news this morning. Chambers is a rising star in the opera world and recently covered the role of Isolde in Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” at the Metropolitan Opera. Last season the soprano {…}
On Dec. 12 Verdi’s “Nabucco” opened at the Metropolitan Opera with a star studded cast and an unexpected encore by the chorus in “Va, Pensiero.” Placido Domingo made his Met role debut in the title role with James Levine conducting. The duo has performed at the Met since 1971 in over 300 performances. The occasion also saw Luidmyla Monastryska reteam {…}
On Dec. 14 Mexican tenor Arturo Chacon-Cruz and Spanish soprano Davinia Rodríguez will inaugurate the Teatro Ingenio de los Mochis in Sinaloa. The new theater will be dedicated to promoting the best of theater, opera and the arts in Sinaloa. According to Chacon-Cruz, the program will include music from Puccini and Verdi. However, he did add that the program will also {…}
This week Paramount Pictures will release the award winning “Florence Foster Jenkins” on DVD and Blu-Ray. Based on a real life story, the film tells the story of a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice. Directed by Stephen Frears, the movie stars Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and Simon Helberg. Rising Opera {…}
Back on Christmas Eve of December 1914, the battling armies of World War I created a temporary truce that allowed them to enjoy the holidays without fear of murdering one another. That evening a Christmas Miracle, if there ever was one, took place, a wondrous event that became the subject of many works including a 2005 film called “Joyeux Noel” {…}
This week the Metropolitan Opera will continue to celebrate its 50th Anniversary at Lincoln Center with a special box while a classic recording of Wagner’s “Die Meistersingers von Nurnberg will also be reissued. The Inaugural Season: Extraordinary Met Performances From 1966-67 The new box set is one of the most anticipated sets of the year as it includes some of {…}
Meryl Streep’s “Florence Foster Jenkins” has been nominated for four Golden Globes. The Motion Picture by Stephen Frears landed nominations in the Best Comedy or Musical categories. The film was nominated for Best Picture in a Musical or Comedy while Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant landed nominations in their respective Best Actress and Best Actor categories. The big surprise for {…}
Renee Fleming has confirmed that the new production of Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier” is her final production at the Metropolitan Opera. After much speculation the American diva confirmed it was her last contract with the company. She said in an interview with the Financial Times, “Yes, after Rosenkavalier at the Met, that is it, unless a new role comes along that is fit {…}