Earlier today it was announced that Sonya Yoncheva would no longer be singing in “La Clemenza di Tito” at Baden Baden and that she would be replaced by Marina Rebeka. But now the Bulgarian soprano has also canceled a run of “La Traviata” in Munich. Yoncheva will be replaced by Diana Damrau, who has turned into one of the iconic Violetta {…}
Sondra Radvanovsky’s big year continues, as the soprano was among the winners of the 2017 Dora Awards. She was given the award for Outstanding Female Performance for her interpretation of “Norma” at the Canadian Opera Company. She beat out Jane Archibald in “Ariodante” at COC, Christine Goerke in Götterdämmerung at COC, Carla Huhatanen in “Rocking Horse Winner at a Tapestry {…}
Marina Rebeka will replace Sonya Yoncheva in two Baden Baden performances of “La Clemenza di Tito.” It has been a whirlwind season of cancellations, with Yoncheva recently called on to make her role debut in “Tosca” at the Metropolitan Opera after the cancellation of Kristine Opolais. Rebeka will take on the role on July 6 and 9, her first performances {…}
Jonas Kaufmann has been hailed as the greatest tenors alive and is one of the most exciting performers currently working today. So it was no surprise that he would one day take the iconic role of Verdi’s “Otello.” There were many doubters regarding his availability (or ability) to master the role, especially after many high-profile cancellations due to illness. However, {…}
Conductor Rafael Kubelík, born on June 29, 1914, is not often one of the names often associated with the operatic greats. And he never quite got the opportunity to build that legacy due to a number of mitigating circumstances with two of the great opera companies in the world. Here is a look at his career at those major companies. {…}
The San Francisco Opera has awarded Geoffrey M. Craig, the Company’s Head of Wardrobe, with the San Francisco Opera Medal, the company’s highest honor. The award was presented in honor of Craig’s 36 years of service, which will come to an end at the close of this summer season. “In over three decades of exemplary service, Geoffry has led the {…}
The role of Violetta Valery in Verdi’s “La Traviata” is said to be one of the most complex soprano roles in the repertoire, requiring a soprano with musical versatility and acting skills. In the past few years, many sopranos have dominated the role and created memorable portrayals. One such soprano is Corinne Winters, the Maryland-born singer who is making a {…}
It’s been quite a year for mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton. Not only did she recently release her first solo album “All Who Wander,” but she also scored triumphant reviews for her work at the Metropolitan Opera in “Rusalka.” She also won the Beverly Sills Artist Award. Now she caps off the first half of 2017 with a showcase at the Macy’s {…}
Thomas Hampson, born on June 28, is one of the great American singers of the past few decades. He has dominated many of the famed baritone roles, constantly expanding his own limits of what many have thought possible. But Hampson’s career has not been limited to what he can do in the opera house or concert hall. He has sought {…}
Central City Opera is gearing up to start its 2017 Summer festival, which will begin with a production of Bizet’s iconic “Carmen.” The production kicks off on July 8 and runs for a total of 14 performances, including 10 matinee shows and four evenings. The cast will include Emily Pulley, Adriano Graziani, Angela Mortellaro and Michael Mayes. The production will {…}
The Vertical Player Repertory closes out the 2017 edition of the New York Opera Fest with a production of “I Stand Alone: Three Monodramas.” The production will showcase the female voice in three separate pieces that include “Knoxville, Summer of 1915” by Samuel Barber and James Agee, “Tesla’s Pigeon” by Melissa Dunphy, and finally “Phaedra” by Benjamin Britten and Robert {…}
