Rolando Villazon has canceled his upcoming performances at the Vienna State Opera of Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore.” The Vienna State Opera announced the news on Friday. Villazon cited illness and will be replaced by Jinxu Xiahou. The tenor was scheduled for performances on Jun 22, 25 and 28, 2017. It marks the third high-profile cancellation for the tenor in the past {…}
With Kristin Opolais’ cancellation at the Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna State Opera had to play musical chairs. According to a press statement, the theater had to release Sonya Yoncheva from her contract of Marguerite in “Faust” in order to be ready for rehearsals at the Met. As a result, Anita Hartig will take over the three performances. The Vienna State Opera {…}
Jennifer Rowley will sing Puccini’s “Tosca” at the Metropolitan Opera. The soprano, who had a breakout this past season with the company, will sing one performance of the role on Jan. 12. Rowley will cover performances of “Tosca” for Sonya Yoncheva, who will open the new production by Sir David McVicar. Rowley recently sang the role at the New Orleans Opera and {…}
The Metropolitan Opera’s “Tosca” has been completely altered since its cast was announced earlier this year. When the Met made its announcement earlier this Spring, Jonas Kaufmann and Kristine Opolais were the lead roles. Now the cast will be headlined by Vittorio Grigolo and Sonya Yoncheva. Yoncheva, who was already scheduled to sing “Le Nozze di Figaro,” will be replaced {…}
San Francisco Opera is striking up a partnership with KQED Public Television to bring opera into the homes of Bay Area residents with two telecasts that will feature Verdi’s “Atilla” and Boito’s “Mefistofele.” The former performance will be aired on Thursday, August 3, 2017 on KQED 9 while the latter comes three weeks later, with the viewing experience taking place on Thursday, {…}
This season classical music in New York experienced several firsts. The Metropolitan Opera presented “L’Amour de Loin,” the first opera composed by a woman to be seen at the Met in over a century. The newly revamped New York City Opera presented the American premiere of “Angels in America,” the first of its annual LGBTQ opera initiative to be presented {…}
It’s a weekend filled with many stars, premieres and role debuts. And there is something for any opera lover interested in exploring the classic repertoire. Austria “Rigoletto” continues its run at the Vienna State Opera with Yosep Kang, Roberto Frontali, and Aida Garifullina while “Don Pasquale” also gets one presentation with Michele Pertusi, Antonino Siragusa, and Danielle de Niese. The weekend {…}
This week was a busy week for singers. Not only were many performing at festivals but a few were preparing new roles that are set to premiere in the next few weeks! Check it out. Nino Machaidze shared pictures of her current Gilda at the San Francisco Opera with Quinn Kelsey. Operawire will be at one of the performances later {…}
For months there has been speculation as to whether or not Jonas Kaufmann would show up to the Royal Opera House’s upcoming production of Verdi’s “Otello.” Antonio Pappano, however, doesn’t seem to be anxious at all. In an interview with Times UK, the conductor revealed that he believes Kaufmann’s cancellations of the past months will be beneficial for him taking on {…}
Throughout her career, Helen Traubel was widely considered one of the great Wagnerian sopranos. Traubel, born on June 16, 1899, was particularly well-known for her Brünhilde in the Ring Cycle and Isolde in “Tristan und Isolde.” Do you know what else she was known for? Things that had little to do with opera. Here are some of Traubel’s extra-operatic talents. {…}
Coming this July, the Martina Arroyo Foundation is having a prelude to performance opera highlights concert. The young artists in the MAF program are giving the audience a glimpse into their full productions on July 6 and 8 of Bizet’s “Carmen” and their July 7 and 9 showings of Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” and “Gianni Schicchi.” The glorious afternoon of the concert {…}