Imagine a major singer suddenly cancel an opera that is just two days away from opening? Most opera houses have a cover ready to step in and in other cases, there are top singers that come in as quick replacements. But when do you go from a high-profile star to arguably the man most famous for the role you are {…}
Eugene Opera General Director Mark Beudert will not renew his contract with the company. Beudert said on Monday that he would remain until June 30 but after the tumultuous year, ending in more than $200,000 in debt, he would no longer continue. The company had to cancel two full productions that it had remaining for this current season. Opera board chair {…}
Diana Damrau has revealed her new album “Grand Opera.” The soprano took to social media to announce the album, which will be dedicated to the music of Giacomo Meyerbeer, one of her favorite composers. On the video, the German soprano showcased her costume for the character of Stella, which she is currently performing in Offenbach’s “The Tales of Hoffman” in {…}
Fresh off of being one of the winners of the famed Met Opera National Council Auditions, Vanessa Vasquez has scored a deal with Columbia Artists. The company made an announcement via Twitter to congratulate the soprano. “Columbia Artists is pleased to announce the worldwide representation of soprano Vanessa Vasquez, winner of the 2017 @MONCAuditions!” the company published via the social media {…}
Samuel Ramey is recognized as one of the most important American basses for his extensive vocal range and repertoire. He was admired for his stage presence and commitment to each role. He was also admired for reviving the Rossini repertoire and performing numerous operas from the Bel Canto repertoire. However, there are three works that he brought to the fore {…}
A plethora of stars will converge on Zürich’s 2017-18 season. Here is a look at the ones that we expect to shine the brightest and recommend you do your utmost to go watch. Karita Mattila – ‘The Rise and Fall of Mahogany’ Anytime an audience member has a chance to see the legendary Finnish soprano, it is advisable that he {…}
A week from today, Carnegie Hall audiences will get a chance to experience the Giuseppe Giacomini Opera Gala at the Zankel Hall. The performance, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 4, is slated to honor the famed tenor who is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his Met Opera debut in Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino.” The {…}
Anita Rachvelishvili has announced her first solo album for Sony Classical. The mezzo-soprano announced on her website that she had teamed up with Sony for her first album which will feature popular mezzo works. She also noted that it would be recorded with RAI National Symphony Orchestra. Rachvelishvili is the latest artist to sign with Sony Classical, as the company {…}
Starting April 15, “La Boheme” will open for the Opera San José, CA, directed by Michael Shell. “I am excited to direct ‘La Boheme’ for Opera San Jose,” Shell told OperaWire. The whole two hours and forty-five-minute performance will be sung in Italian with English super-titles. “The opera will be set at the end of WWI, when Paris was delirious {…}
During a promotion of her new album with works by Schubert, Natalie Dessay has spoken up about her views on the operatic world. During an interview with Forum Opera, the soprano noted that she never felt comfortable in opera and she felt that the art form was one of the past. “I often felt a bit out of place, because {…}
The Palm Beach Opera has announced its 2018 season, which will feature three operas. The Florida-based company will open its 2018 season on Jan. 26 with a production of Puccini’s “Tosca.” The run will feature a total of three performances with soprano Keri Alkema taking on the first and last show while Alexandra Loutsion getting the middle date. The same {…}