Hildegard Beherens is regarded as one of the greatest dramatic sopranos of the 20th century as she delivered intensity in everything she portrayed. Sometimes criticized for her over acting, whatever Behrens did on stage was still effective and memorable. In celebration of the great soprano’s birthday, OperaWire takes a look at the mad scenes that Behrens portrayed. Salome One can {…}
Opera has been used in the mainstream throughout history with many film directors like Martin Scorsese, Tom Ford, Francis Ford Coppola and Joe Wright inserting the art form into their films for crucial scenes. Some, like James Gray, have even been influenced by the art form and have made films that evoke opera. Gray’s “The Immigrant,” was made after he saw {…}
How do you create an image that captures the essence of a person? That is the constant question that photographer Dario Acosta always questions when he is shooting a singer in his New York studio. “Ideally I don’t want to be a part of that world. I want you to look at the photo and not think I was there. {…}
All who wandered into the Kosciusko Foundation on Wednesday, Feb. 8 were greeted with an intimate celebration of mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton’s debut album “All Who Wander.” The event, which was hosted by the Gerda Lissner Foundation featured a performance in addition to a Q&A hosted by Ken Benson. Barton performed a total of seven selections from the album alongside pianist {…}
Today the fashion world gets together to display the latest trends for the upcoming spring season. Designers will show off everything from concept designs, gowns to regular clothing for everyday use. The week may be attended by some of opera’s biggest superstars and they may just get a new dress designed for their upcoming recital or concert. To celebrate Fashion {…}
On Feb. 12 Joyce DiDonato adds her name to the pantheon of sopranos who have performed the daunting role of Rossini’s “Semiramide.” DiDonato will premiere a new production from the Bayerische Staatsoper and it is her role debut as well. Having been Rossini’s final Italian opera, there is a reason it has become so popular in recent times. As a {…}
Lyric of Kansas City’s 2017-18 got its announcement earlier this week, the company announcing that it would be showing five works in addition to two events. The company will kick off its season with a production of Tchaikovsky’s operatic masterwork “Eugene Onegin” with performances on Sept. 30, October 4, 6 and 8. The work will be directed by Tomer Zvulun {…}
Angela Gheorghiu celebrated her 25th anniversary and 150th performance at the Royal Opera on Feb. 7, opening night of Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur” The occasion marked the first revival of the 2010 production, which Gheorghiu opened alongside Jonas Kaufmann and Olga Borodina. A favorite of the Royal Opera House, Gheorghiu had her big breakthrough in the house and around the world when she sang Violetta {…}
This Friday, Feb. 10, Opera Philadelphia will showcase Rossini’s “Tancredi.” The run is set to last five performances, the final one on Feb. 19. The opera is not particularly renowned among the composer’s output, with most of Rossini’s comic scores winning the popularity contest. “Tancredi” is of a different mold, a medieval story that features tragic love. The Cast The {…}
This review is for the performance on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017. When Sophie Koch cancelled all of her performances for Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Metropolitan Opera, attention immediately turned toward Clémentine Margaine, who was set to make her Met debut on Feb. 3. Instead the French mezzo saw her first performance at the history house pushed up two weeks. Of {…}
10 operas. Six New Productions. A Classic Musical and a new chamber opera. The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced its new season and it is full of a balanced repertory selection. Orphée et Eurydice – Sept. 23, 27, Oct. 1, 6, 9, 12, 15 (2017) The new season kicks off with a new production of Gluck’s “Orphée et Eurydice” {…}