Piotr Beczala encored “Pourquoi me réveiller” yesterday during the opening night performance of Massenet’s “Werther” at the Grand Theatre Liceu in Barcelona. The famed aria is one of the showstopping pieces in the opera but it is rare to hear an encore in this work. However, Beczala is the latest tenor in the past month to encore the aria. In {…}
UPDATE: On Tuesday, Jan. 17 it was announced that Sophie Koch would not be singing the role at the Met and that Clémentine Margaine would be taking over the entire run. For more information, read OperaWire’s coverage on the news. Opera’s most famous gypsy returns to the Metropolitan Opera stage on Thursday, Jan. 19. This year’s run of “Carmen” will {…}
On Jan. 16 two of opera’s legendary sopranos will celebrate their birthdays. Pilar Lorenagr, who died in 1996 and Kata Ricciarelli. Both sopranos were recognized for their versatility and immense repertoire. While Ricciarelli focused on the Bel Canto and lyric repertoire, Lorengar delved into Mozart’s demanding works and sang multiple Wagner repertoire. She was also an expert in Zarzuela. As {…}
This week two singers from the world’s leading opera houses have died. Melvyn Poll After complications following cancer treatment, tenor Melvyn Poll died at 75. The opera singer who was also a lawyer, opera advocate, teacher and football booster performed in Europe, Israel, New York and Seattle. He was a frequent guest at the New York City Opera, where he made {…}
The Arizona, Seattle, Canadian and Houston Operas have announced their 2017-18 seasons with a variety of operas to see. For the experienced opera goers the choices are not so hard as they have already seen most of the selections but for newcomers who have seen one or no operas before it may be hard to choose what opera to see. {…}
The Verdi and Bel Canto repertoire has some of the most challenging music for soprano. It requires flexibility in the voice as well as high and low testitura. Coloratura runs are a must and clear diction and attention to the text are paramount. Among contemporary artists, Angela Meade has been championing this repertoire by not only performing the warhorses such {…}
Today is the day people in the United States celebrate the memory of Civil Rights hero Martin Luther King Jr. In a world where the legacy of America’s first black president is in danger of complete and utter eradication and many fear for their rights and freedoms in a political crossroads and tumult, Dr. King’s legacy stands rather prominently. The {…}
The world is set to undergo a change this week with a massive transfer of power. There is tremendous uncertainty regarding this situation, some expecting the very worst. Art represents an interesting window into our deepest fears and opera has its fair share of oppressive regimes and tyrannical rule in all guises. What follows is a look at some of {…}
It’s that time of the year when companies announce their upcoming seasons. Some companies just release a press release while others put on concerts. In the case of the San Francisco Opera, the company is Live Streaming the announcement on Jan. 17. At 12:30 Pacific Time, General Director Matthew Shilvock and special guests from the upcoming season John Adams (Composer), Peter Sellars and Francesca {…}
The voice is any singer’s most precious treasure. Without it their career is over no matter how good you look or how wonderful of an actor you are. In modern opera, it is also something that is overlooked as careers increasingly get shorter with fewer rest periods and singers consistently being asked to walk on stage without rehearsals. This is {…}
The best of all possible outcomes for any opera is a strong cast and a great production for a great work. In this context, the New York City Opera can certainly check off the box next to “success” with regards to its new “Candide.” Directed by Harold Prince, the revival of Leonard Bernstein’s comic operetta, which is based on Voltaire’s {…}