James Levine is one of the most influential people in the history of 20th-century opera. The Metropolitan Opera’s maestro has led the company for four decades, essentially making himself the face of the opera house during that time period. The conductor, born on June 23, 1943, is now entering the twilight of his career but remains strong in his endeavors. {…}
With the summer underway, the opera world remains in full swing. Opera in Ozarks is the big company to make headlines this weekend as the company showcases two performances. “Le Nozze di Figaro” gets a look on Friday while “Susannah” gets a showcase on Saturday. Wolf Trap Opera also gets a major showcase with “La Pietra del Paragone” on Friday {…}
The opera season continues in full swing as many of the top stars continue runs of important operas around the world. Austria The Vienna State Opera kicks off its weekend with Strauss’ “Elektra” starring Waltraud Meier, Nina Stemme, Regine Hangler, Herbert Lippert and Alan Held. It follows on Saturday with Debussy “Pelléas et Mélisande” with Franz-Josef Selig, Bernarda Fink, Adrian Eröd, Simon {…}
It was a week filled with rehearsals, performances and fun times. Check out what some of today’s top stars shared on social media this week. It’s been quite a week for Anna Netrebko who debut the title role in “Adriana Lecouvreur.” For those who missed it, Netrebko was quick to look for videos of the famous monologue. Спокойной ночи ✌️good {…}
The Berlin Staatsoper has announced its 2017-18 season with a lineup of superstars. New Productions The opera with a new production of Schumann’s oratorio “Szenen aus Goethes Faust” directed by Jürgen Flimm. Daniel Barenboim conducts the production which is set to star Roman Trekel and Rene Pape. The company will then present the chamber opera “Rivale” followed by the kinderoper “Der Unglaubliche {…}
As the New York Opera Festival draws ever closer to its grand finale, OperaRox Productions is looking to make a big statement. The company is showcasing its New Works Concert this weekend, which will feature new music by different composers and one singer being paired together to a create a new piece of music. As per the program, the concert’s {…}
While the entire opera world turned its attention toward Jonas Kaufmann’s “Otello” debut at the Royal Opera House, another production of Verdi’s famed masterpiece took to the stage in a hotly anticipated run. The Teatro Colón in Bogotá, Colombia is a small locale when compared to the world’s biggest opera houses, seating a little over 1,000 audience members. With baroque {…}
The Salzburg Festival’s upcoming production of Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsenk” is getting some cast changes. Italian bass Ferruccio Furlanetto has stepped out of the upcoming production in the role of Boris Ismailov, stating that the role is not for him. As a result, Dmitry Ulyanov will replace him. The opera is also getting a new tenor as Russian tenor {…}
Georgian baritone George Gagnidze will inaugurate the 2017 season of the Arena di Verona. Gagnidze will sing the title role in Verdi’s “Nabucco” on June 23 and 29 and on July 7, 2017 at the Roman amphitheater in a new production by Arnaud Bernard and under the musical direction of Daniel Oren. “I’m delighted to inaugurate the season of a prestigious festival {…}
Philippe Auguin is the new Music Director Emeritus of the Washington National Opera Orchestra. Auguin will take the post during the 2018-19 season and his position as Music Director will not be extended beyond the 2017-18 season. By the end of that very season, Auguin will have completed eight seasons with the company as its Music Director and will have {…}
Opera requires a singer to perform in numerous languages. This can be daunting for anyone who does not speak any given tongue or does not have a connection to the corresponding culture. While some singers overcome this challenge by learning as much as is needed for a given piece, others feel that total immersion is the key to success. Case {…}
