When attending a performance of “Lucia di Lammermoor” at one of the world’s top opera houses one would be very surprised to find a Lucia who is not up to the job. We are, in fact, blessed with an array of professional singers who are well equipped to perform the role to the requisite standard but finding one who can {…}
“It’s like having a crime and then trying to justify it and find why it was committed.” That is how soprano Marina Rebeka, currently making her role debut as Donna Elvira at the Metropolitan Opera, approaches every single opera role or artistic endeavor she takes on. The soprano recently spoke with OperaWire regarding her upcoming projects, putting a spotlight on {…}
Investec Opera Holland Park introduced its cast lists for their 2017 season. The season features many of its Opera Holland Park (OHP) performers, house premiers from known singers, and new talent incorporating numerous young British performers that have been part of OHP’s Young Artists Scheme. The company’s opening production, Puccini’s “La rondine,” will celebrate its centenary in 2017, showcasing Elizabeth {…}
The New York Opera Fest gave a taste of what to expect in the New York City opera scene this summer. One thing is for sure, there is definitely something for everyone with such a diverse group of operas. In association with the New York Opera Alliance, the event kicked off with a more traditional piece from “L’Elisir d’amore,” called {…}
Bruce Brewer has passed away at the age of 75. The tenor, born in San Antonio, Texas on October 12, 1941, passed away in his sleep at Sainte Anne, St. Fraimbault in Lassay-Les-Chateaux, France, on March 6, 2017. The tenor went on to make his stage debut in 1970 and performed on such stages as the Covent Garden, La Scala, Florence, {…}
The Frankfurt Opera has announced its new season with a line-up of new productions and a number of stars. New Productions The first new production of the year, Verdi’s “Il Trovatore,” opens on Sept. 10. Elza Van Den Heever and Leah Crocetto lead an all-star cast that also includes Piero Pretti and Alfred Kim in the lead role. David Bösch directs the new production {…}
I am going to be rather forward with you. This analysis of Wednesday’s “Don Giovanni” at the Metropolitan Opera will kick off on a positive note before turning a bit sour in tone. But lo and behold, after that, I am going to return to my boyish enthusiasm for what I experienced at the opening of this revival run. The {…}
The weekend will bring a wide variety of repertoire from rare Wagner and Rodgers and Hammerstein to Mozart and Rimsky-Korsakov. And as always the biggest stars including Sonya Yoncheva, Ailyn Pérez, Kate Lindsey, Aida Garifullina and Nadine Sierra will be on stage performing signature roles. Argentina Wagner’s “Das Liebesverbot” takes center stage at the Teatro Colón. The opera will see Lise {…}
Hibla Gerzmava will make her Canadian debut this June, as a special guest when Show One Productions presents her in concert with the Moscow Virtuosi and its famed founder/conductor Vladimir Spivakov at Roy Thomson Hall. Gerzmava, who has become an important star in the opera world will perform arias from Bellini’s “Norma,” Verdi’s “I Masnadieri” and Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur.” According {…}
If there was one event that opera lovers couldn’t miss this week, it was the return of Dmitri Hvorostovsky. The baritone was joined by Anna Netrebko and her Husband Yusif Eyvazov in a sold out concert that included some of the greatest hits in opera and a number of Russian selections. The performance was a big hit and Hvorostovsky showed his {…}
The Royal Danish Opera has announced its 2017-18 season with a varied repertoire. The opera season opens on Sept. 9, 2017, with a new production of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” starring Johan Reuter in the title character. David Kempster alternates with Reuter as Paolo Carignani conducts the run. The following production will be Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” with Elizabeth Llewellyn in the title {…}
