Bizet’s “Carmen” is one of the great operas of all time and one of the few to really have a massive impact on popular culture. The opera, which premiered back on March 3, 1875, was a failure upon premiering with Bizet never actually getting a chance to experience the success of his masterwork. Since then the opera, which was adapted {…}
A French classic returns to the Met stage this weekend as the other major companies around the states continue business as usual. Audiences will get a chance to relive Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” at the Met with a new cast starring Pretty Yende and Stephen Costello. The following day, Massenet’s “Werther,” which was widely praised (including by OperaWire) makes its {…}
The 20 finalists for the Cardiff Singer of the World Competition have been announced. The competition, which will be held June of 2017, is split into four rounds. Each finalist is expected to perform programs of operatic and concert works, accompanied by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera. This year’s judges will be {…}
It’s the season to announce new seasons and Vancouver Opera has continued the trend, revealing its offerings for 2017-18. The company bows on Oct. 13 with a production of Puccini’s “Turandot.” The show will get a total of five performances on Oct. 15, 17, 19 and 21. The company then takes a hiatus until the new year, ringing in January {…}
The Bard SummerScape 2017 season has been announced. While focus is being placed on a Chopin celebration, there is something truly special for those looking for opera. The opera portion of the festival will feature a revival of a rare opera by Antonín Dvorák. The opera in question is “Dimitrij,” which rarely ever gets performed outside of the Czech Republic. {…}
This Monday, March 6, Mozart’s “Idomeneo” returns to the Metropolitan Opera for a run featuring some of the world’s greatest singers. “Idomeneo” is one of the rare Mozart operas that only gets a look every once in a while. It was the composer’s 13th work for the operatic stage and came right before the ever popular “Abduction from the Seraglio.” {…}
Nelson Martínez will sing the role of Giorgio Germont in tonight’s performance of Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the Metropolitan Opera The Cuban baritone will replace the originally scheduled Thomas Hampson, who is ill. Martínez made his Metropolitan Opera debut this season in the role of Monterone in Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” Born in Cuba, he graduated from the Superior Institute of the Arts and {…}
Aida Garifullina is quickly rising to stardom in the operatic world. Her career has surged in the past year as she has taken leading roles in the world’s greatest houses and has now become an exclusive recording artist for Decca Classics. For her debut album, Garifullina has chosen a program of classic Russian pieces that are meaningful to her and {…}
Angela Gheorghiu has announced her first album for Warner Classics in six years. The soprano announced the new record in a video message where she revealed that the album will be dedicated to Verismo arias and duets. She also said that she recorded the album with Emmanuel Villaume and the Prague Philharmonic. The album, which will be titled “Eternamente,” is scheduled for {…}
How do you expose children to opera? That is a question that has remained a conundrum to many industry workers and companies. However for Cyndie Berthezene, the director of Time In Kids, that question is quite easily solved. Her answer is bringing opera’s biggest stars right to the kids. And on Tuesday, Feb. 28, she had her third opera star {…}
Michael Fabiano will open the Royal Opera House’s 2017-18 Season. Even though the season has yet to be announced, the New York Times revealed the news in an interview chronicling Fabiano’s rise to fame. However, the newspaper did not indicate which opera Fabiano would be performing. The interview also revealed that Fabiano would be reviving a rumored production of Verdi’s “I {…}