This year is coming to a close and after having looked back at some of the milestones certain stars made this year, it is time to look at 2017. There is so much to look forward to as many of the greatest stars will take on new roles while other will reprise signature roles in new productions with star-studded casts. {…}
This review is for the final performance of the run on Dec. 18, 2017 and was written in collaboration with Francisco Salazar. How do you get younger audiences to engage with that “old” and “outdated” art form known as opera? That is the eternal question for the major opera houses around the world as they look to find a viable {…}
Andrea Bocelli is one of the most popular artists in the world. His voice is legendary and his ability to bridge the popular with the operatic has made him an icon. But the tenor, often beloved for his warm voice, is now getting some major backlash after announcing that he will be the singer of repute at the Inauguration of {…}
Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” returns to the stage of the Metropolitan Opera on Tuesday at 7:30 for a run of seven performances. The Opera Mozart’s last opera premiered on Sept. 30, 1791 at Schikaneder’s theatre, two months before the composer’s untimely death. Originally titled “Die Zauberflote” and sung in German, the work has been a popular fixture among younger audiences {…}
At the end of the 2016-17 season, the Metropolitan Opera will premiere a new production of Strauss’ venerated “Der Rosenkavalier” directed by Robert Carson. From the looks of it, this production is slated to be a huge success for some but could put off more traditional audiences. The production, which is shared with the Royal Opera House in London, is {…}
Are you finished with your holiday shopping? Are you stuck and have no ideas on what to buy? OperaWire has compiled a list of some of the best new releases from 2016 that will make for a great gift. CDS Anna Netrebko’s New Recordings Two of the best recordings this year are from Anna Netrebko. Her new Verismo album features some of {…}
This week opera fans will be excited to look back at some of the most acclaimed recordings as Warner Classics will re-release a number of classic opera recordings. Angela Gheorghiu’s recital recordings For years Gheorghiu was one of Warner Classics most beloved artists. She recorded numerous complete operas and numerous recital recordings including her final one which was an homage {…}
Isabel Leonard is recognized as one of the brightest stars in the opera world for her vocal beauty and vocal fireworks. After years of exploring Mozart and the baroque repertoire, Leonard is moving into new territory this season. She recently made her role debut as Adalgisa in Bellini’s “Norma” and last week she made her role debut as Charlotte in {…}
This review is for the performance on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. Verdi’s famed overture for his first masterwork “Nabucco” starts off with a few brass calls followed by a massive explosion of sound a few bars later. From there Verdi’s music traverses the contrast between a glorious melody clamoring for peace and one of military drive. It is this contrast between {…}
Ailyn Perez will maker her Lyric Opera of Chicago debut on March 9 in a special one night gala celebrating Placido Domingo. The soprano will join Domingo in Act two of Verdi’s “La Traviata,” a role she has been acclaimed for all over the world. In the second part of the gala Perez will join Domingo for popular arias and {…}
Jonas Kaufmann has cancelled his participation in the Grand Opening Concerts with the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg this January. The announcement was made via Twitter as the company announced that Kaufmann is still ill. Elbphilharmonie stated “@tenorkaufmann has withdrawn from his appearances at our Grand Opening concerts in January due to illness. We wish him a speedy recovery! However, it was announced {…}
