Paris Opera 2016-17 Preview: Jonas Kaufmann Set For Triumphant Return in Wagner’s ‘Lohengrin’

The wait is over – Jonas Kaufmann will finally make his long-awaited return on Wednesday, Jan 18 in Wagner’s “Lohengrin” in Paris. The tenor has been sidelined since October after announcing that side effects from medication had caused a haematoma. After that he committed to remaining on vocal rest until his haematoma “completely subsided.” This forced him to cancel numerous {…}

Weekend Preview – International (1/13-1/15): Daniela Fally and Juan Diego Florez Perform ‘La Sonnambula’ while Ludovic Tezier Gives a Recital

This weekend many of the international opera houses are back in session and so are many of the stars. Juan Diego Florez will be in Vienna while Yonghoon Lee will be premiering Don Carlo in Munich. Renee Fleming, Anna Smirnova and Ludovic Tezier will also be performing Austria The Vienna State Opera kicks off its weekend with a star studded {…}

Weekend Preview (1/13-15) – USA: Seattle & Atlanta Back in Action As Candide Ends Run At NYC Opera

Another weekend in 2017, even more operatic activity around the United States. Of course the Metropolitan Opera continues its busy schedule with “Il Barbiere di Sivilgia,” “La Bohème” and “Roméo et Juliette” the three major offerings with such stars as Javier Camarena, Pretty Yende, Ailyn Pérez, Michael Fabiano, Vittorio Grigolo and Diana Damrau leading the casts for their respective operas {…}

Joseph Calleja to Perform For 2017 Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Joseph Calleja will appear in the Official Opening Concert of the 2017 Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union on Monday, Jan. 16, 2017. The tenor made the announcement via social media on Thursday. He will perform selections from “Die Zauberflöte,” Flotow’s “Martha,” “Roméo et Juliette,” “Werther,” “Tosca,” “Le Cid” and a number of Verdi operas including “Rigoletto” {…}

Metropolitan Opera 2016-17 Review – La Bohème: This Is No Routine Production As Fabiano, Pérez & Co. Deliver Vivacity to Powerful Tragedy

This review is for the performance on Wednesday January 11 and is written jointly by David & Francisco Salazar. Applause rang from every corner of the Metropolitan Opera, the audience awaiting the final performer to step onstage so that she too could get her accolades. The moment Ailyn Pérez walked out of the iconic golden curtain, she was not only {…}

John Holiday Wins the Marian Anderson Vocal Award

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Washington National Opera have announced that countertenor John Holiday is the 2017 winner of the Marian Anderson Vocal Award. The Award, which honors trailblazing contralto Marian Anderson’s personal and humanitarian achievements, celebrates excellence in performance by recognizing a young American singer who has achieved initial professional success in the vocal arts and who {…}