For Javier Camarena, the start of 2017 has been a blending of the past, present and future. His year started with an operatic goodbye and the month of February he will slide into comfortable repertoire that he feels will be his meat and potatoes in the immediate future. And in March, he ventures into unknown terrain that might just prove {…}
Interested in catching up with La Monnaie’s new production of “Madama Butterfly” but simply not able to catch it live in Brussels? The Opera Platform has you covered as the website will showcase a live stream of the performance on Feb. 8, 2017. The performance kicks off at 1:55 p.m. local time (10:55 a.m. EST and 7:55 a.m. PT). The {…}
This week international audiences will get advance releases of two great operatic works. Let’s take a look! Francesca da Rimini Dynamic continues to rediscover some of opera’s rarities and this time the company will release the World Premiere recording of Saverio Mercadante’s “Francesca da Rimini.” The story has been told in popular works by Tchaikovsky and Zandonai. However, with this {…}
For audiences who missed Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” at the Metropolitan Opera, there is another chance on Feb. 19. PBS will broadcast the HD performance originally shown in movie theaters on Oct. 22 starring baritone Simon Keenlyside in the title role with Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi in the pit. The cast is rounded out by Hibla Gerzmava as Donna Anna, Malin Byström {…}
On Feb. 5, 1911, the world was given the great gift that was Jussi Björling. The Swedish tenor became an icon throughout his career, his perfect vocal control a defining feature of his extensive career. Björling is in many ways synonymous with the Metropolitan Opera, becoming one of the company’s principal artists throughout the 1940’s and 50’s singing a wide {…}
Verdi’s “Otello” is arguably the greatest opera ever written. Premiering on Feb. 5, 1887 amidst tremendous fanfare and anticipation, Verdi’s second-to-last work was one of the few instances where the hype was not only met but tremendously exceeded. To that point, Verdi was recognized as a genius, his operatic output among the greatest work of any composer to that time. {…}
The International Opera Awards have announced its annual nominees with many of the greatest stars, companies and conductors getting nominated for the prestigious prize. This year Anna Netrebko and Anita Rachvelishvili will compete for the Best Female Singer award with Maria Bengtsson, Stéphanie d’Oustrac, Christiane Karg and Daniela Sindram. Netrebko’s nominations marks her third time she is up for this award. She was previously {…}
Roberto Aronicia will take over the role of Don Jose on Feb. 7 and 11 in Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Metropolitan Opera. The tenor will step in for Marcelo Alvarez who is ill. Aronica becomes the second tenor this season who is filling in for Alvarez. On opening night Rafael Davila made a heroic debut as he stepped in an {…}
It looks like most stars are back rehearsing. Check out what they share this week. Ainhoa Arteta The week has been busy for the Ainhoa Arteta as she is preparing to sing the title role of Tosca.” The diva showed off some stills of the current production she is rehearsing and from the looks of it, audiences should be in {…}
The weekend kicks off with numerous companies performing some of Verdi’s timeless classics. There will also be Mozart, Wagner and some rare gems by Weill and Heggie. Check out what’s playing near you! Austria At the Vienna State Opera Puccini’s “Tosca” kicks off with Sae-Kyung Rim in the title role alongside Aleksandrs Antonenko and Marco Vratogna. On Saturday the company will {…}
It won’t be a busy opera weekend around the United States, but there are notable companies showcasing major productions throughout the country. The Arizona Opera’s run of “Madama Butterfly” gets its final three performances in Phoenix on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Florida Grand Opera will also continue its run of “Eugene Onegin” on Friday and Saturday, the latter performance {…}