Rolando Villazon has been named the artistic director of the Mozarteum Foundation’s Mozart Week. The foundation announced that Villazon will begin his position this year as he will plan programs dedicated to Mozart in what the festival calls Mozart Week. The first Mozart Week that will be entirely programmed by Villazón takes place in 2019 and his contract is expected {…}
This week the Rome Opera opens a new production of Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Caracalla with an intriguing young cast. However, what will be most excited to see is Argentine director Valentina Carrasco´s vision for the work. The Latin American director will bring her Latin flare to the famed Bizet opera in her first production, which will feature a Dia {…}
While most opera companies were either starting their season ticket sales, announcing new seasons or simply performing, two New York City companies celebrated gay pride. Celebrating the 48th annual New York City Pride, the New York City Opera and OperaRox productions joined 460 other groups to march on the momentous occasion. It was expected to be the largest Pride parade ever with {…}
Of the four operas that comprise “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” perhaps none is more famous than “Die Walküre.” Not only does the work contain the best-known piece of music that Wagner ever wrote (The Ride of the Valkyries), but it contains some of the most compelling and unforgettable musico-dramatic moments in the entire canon. Moreso, of the four operas, none {…}
This is the closing weekend of the Opera Theater of St Louis’ 2017 season, and the singers and musicians are holding nothing in reserve. That was evident at last night’s performance of “The Trial” by Philip Glass and Christopher Hampton, based on Franz Kafka’s iconic story of bewilderment and dysfunction. The work has been substantially revised since it debuted in {…}
Among the great works of the Romantic composer Robert Schumann, husband of the brilliant composer Clara Schumann, are the composer’s many art songs, piano repertoire, quartets, trios, and song cycles. But few know that the composer also created an opera of his own. ‘Genoveva‘ premiered on June 25, 1850 at the Leipzig Altes Theatre and has never had a long {…}
For decades Riccardo Muti has been one of the finest interpreters of Verdi’s music. In fact, his understanding of the great composer’s style has created countless imitators, but few with the capacity of truly understanding the balance between a propulsive rhythmic emphasis and the nuance of Verdian singing. On Thursday, June 22, 2017, the maestro showcased his interpretative genius with {…}
It’s 2017 and the world of classical music is obsessed with our revered classical, romantic and baroque works relevant to today’s millennials. And then there’s Gilbert and Sullivan. It’s not opera. It’s not musical theater. And aside from a production of “Pirates of Penzance” once a decade, few non-musically educated people are wary of the cheeky, British duo. On June {…}
Creamy. Sweet. Intense. Warm. Thick. Bubbly. Dark. Light. Potent. Vibrant. Any one of those words could be used to describe an operatic voice. But as Matt Burns, founder of Magnum Opus Tasting Concerts (spelled officially Magnvm Opvs” to emphasize “voice” and “vine”), could tell you, they can also be used to represent wine. With his project, founded rather recently, the {…}
Nadine Sierra has canceled two performances of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” at the Opera National de Paris. The Opera National de Paris announced that the soprano canceled the June 24 and 27 performances due to illness. As a result, Lisette Oropesa will replace Sierra. Oropesa is one of the most acclaimed Gildas as she has sung the role all over the world. She {…}
As part of this year’s New York Opera Fest, The Martina Arroyo Foundation’s young artist program presents a masterclass taught by Ken Benson at 12:00 p.m. EDT on June 26, 2017 at the Brecher Hall at Hunter College. As part of the organization’s Prelude of Performances, Benson, the famed agent and opera expert, will speak to the singers about the {…}