The Chicago Opera Theater has announced its 2018-19 season featuring exciting and rarely performed operatic gems. Here is a look at what the season will offer. Tchaikovsky’s “Iolanta” makes its Chicago premiere with direction by internationally acclaimed and award-winning director Paul Curran and under the baton of COT’s own Staley Music Director, Maestro Lidiya Yankovskaya. Katherine Weber sings the title {…}
Audience members enjoyed a rare performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s “The Snow Maiden,” in English, over the weekend. Translated by Alasdair Middleton for Opera North’s 2017 production, this opera was said to possibly be Rimsky-Korsakov’s best contemporary opera. In addition to its popularity in Russia, this specific opera contains remarkably poignant folklike melodies that gave life to the overall culture and complex {…}
Seasoned operagoers are very familiar with Gaetano Donizetti, although most have only seen a paltry number of his works including the likes of “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “Anna Bolena” and “La Fille du Régiment.” Donizetti is known as opera’s most prolific popular composer with over 70 operas to his name with many providing fertile unexplored territory. The innovative Chicago Opera Theater has forged {…}
This week, two rarely-performed works will get DVD and CD releases while one major artist releases a crossover album. There will also be a major archival release that should be popular among opera lovers. Il Borgomastro di Saardam Dynamic releases a rarely-performed Donizetti work from the Fondzaione Donizetti. Roberto Rizzi Brignoli conducts the work with Juan Francisco Gatell, Andrea Concetti, {…}
Gioachino Rossini was not just an enormously successful composer and gourmand extraordinaire, but also a highly astute businessman. When he eventually went to the celestial grande bouffe in 1868, he left an estate worth millions of francs. According to Sosthènes de la Rochefoucauld, Rossini composed “Il Viaggio a Reims” as “un homage complètement désintéressé,” which was 19th century French Court-speak for {…}
The Bard Summerscape has announced its 2018 festival programming and will present three operatic selections. Since its inception, the festival has been committed to reviving important but neglected operas and this year will be no different. In 2018, the festival will present a new American production of “The Demon” by Anton Rubinstein The opera will be headlined by Olga Tolkmit {…}
( Photo credit: Manfred Brückels) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its 2018-19 season featuring seven new productions and numerous revivals. The season will also include some of today’s biggest stars as well numerous ensemble members. Here is a look! New Productions Johan Reuter takes on the title role in Berg’s “Wozzeck” in a new production by Ole Anders Tanberg’s {…}
Editor’s Note: You may notice that we previously published a review on this double bill recently. This is another perspective on the same production for your enjoyment and Insight. The Chicago Opera Theater’s April 14, 20, and 22 double-bill presentation at the Studebaker Theater of “Il Pigmalione” and “Rita,” Donizetti’s first and last operas gave the listener a masterclass in {…}
The Komische Oper has announced its 2018-19 season featuring a seven new productions and a number of unique rarely performed works. Here is a look at what the season will offer. Premieres Korngold’s “Die tote Stadt” featuring Ales Briscein, Sara Jakubiak, and Gunter Papendell. Robert Carsen directs the rarely performed classic. Performance Dates: Sept 30; October 6, 14, 31; November 18, {…}
Of all of Meyerbeer’s greatest opera, “Le Prophète” likely reigns supreme above them all. The opera, which had its world premiere in Paris on April 16, 1849, features the richest and most complex characters of the composer’s oeuvre. While the work has never had the prominence of “Robert le Diable” or “Les Huguenots,” it is bound for a major revival {…}
For years Eric Cutler was known as a lyric tenor singing high-flying bel canto lines and light tenor roles. He was in demand for operas by Donizetti, Bellini and Gounod. However, in recent years Cutler’s voice has grown into a dramatic tenor taking on heavier roles from Massenet, Offenbach, Strauss, Bizet, and Beethoven. This week he sings “Lohengrin.” Cutler makes his {…}