Verdi’s “Don Carlo” returns to Teatro alla Scala on Tuesday Jan. 17 with all star cast and 8 performances throughout the month of January and the beginning of February. The new production by Peter Stein marks the first time in 40 years at La Scala that the opera will be performed in its full five acts. Here is a look {…}
Piotr Beczala takes on the role of Massenet’s “Werther” on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, kick starting the Gran Teatre del Liceu’s run of the famed opera. Beczala took on the challenging role in Salzburg in August 2015 before reprising it at the Opéra National de Paris exactly one year ago. His return to the role on Sunday will be the {…}
On Jan. 10 the BAFTAs announced the nominations for its annual awards. Among the nominees was “Florence Foster Jenkins.” The film obtained four nominations including Best Actress for Meryl Streep and Best Supporting Actor for Hugh Grant. The film also landed Best Costume Design and Best Makeup nominations. The nominations come on the heels of the Golden Globe and SAG {…}
George Benjamin’s “Written on Skin” makes its return to the Royal Opera House on Friday, Jan. 13 for five performances. The opera, Benjamin’s first full-length work in the genre, had its premiere at the 2012 Aix-en-Provence Festival and then arrived at the Royal Opera House in 2013. The work is divided into 15 scenes and takes place in 13th Century {…}
Violetta, the heroine of Verdi’s “La Traviata,” is one of the iconic roles of the operatic repertoire, the measuring stick by which almost all sopranos are judged. Singing the role for many is an indication for them that they have “arrived” in the opera world. It is so imbued with depth and intensity that years and years of performance reveal {…}
A few years ago, Jimmy Lopez’s “Bel Canto” finally got its world premiere in Chicago. Despite solid reviews and general popularity, few got a chance to see it unless they traveled to Illinois to check out the new big hit. On Friday, Jan. 13, all of America will be watching as the opera gets broadcast on PBS’s Great Performances series {…}
On Jan. 13 the Opera Platform will present Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” from the Finnish Opera. The production by director Kasper Holten interprets “The Flying Ditchman” without four-masters, hawsers and nautical romanticism. In his production the sailor becomes an artist, trapped in the world of international jet set and tells the story of a man, driven by his inspiration and {…}
Italian bass Andrea Mastroni has just released a music video of one of the most beloved lieders in the repertoire. Directed by Nicola Garzetti and featuring Mattia Ometto at the piano and actor Salvatore Aversano, the video for Schubert’s “Erlkönig” is simple in its approach, but rather engaging. Mainly consisting of four or five scenes and shot in chiaroscuro lighting, {…}
On Jan. 29, Wagner’s “Lohengrin” will be broadcast on ORF III. The broadcast company announced that the opera will be shown at 8:15 local time on HD. The broadcast is a recording of “Lohengrin” from Semperoper Dresden last May. The production marked the triple role debuts of Anna Netrebko as Elsa von Brabant, Piotr Beczała as Lohengrin, and Tomasz Konieczny {…}
The union between an opera singer and his or her craft is a love story, many of which come in two variations. The first origin story is like most love stories, a chance encounter on their way into adulthood. Their first love was some other profession or dream that, like many first loves, never quite came to fruition. Such has {…}
Marina Rebeka will make her role debut as “Maria Stuarda” is Donizetti’s beloved opera. The Latvian soprano will begin the new year with the tour de force role at Riga’s Great Guild Hall on Jan. 10. The performance will also be streamed on Latvian radio for audiences to listen to around the world. The Jan. 12 performance will take place {…}