This week Paramount Pictures will release the award winning “Florence Foster Jenkins” on DVD and Blu-Ray. Based on a real life story, the film tells the story of a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice. Directed by Stephen Frears, the movie stars Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and Simon Helberg. Rising Opera {…}
Back on Christmas Eve of December 1914, the battling armies of World War I created a temporary truce that allowed them to enjoy the holidays without fear of murdering one another. That evening a Christmas Miracle, if there ever was one, took place, a wondrous event that became the subject of many works including a 2005 film called “Joyeux Noel” {…}
This week the Metropolitan Opera will continue to celebrate its 50th Anniversary at Lincoln Center with a special box while a classic recording of Wagner’s “Die Meistersingers von Nurnberg will also be reissued. The Inaugural Season: Extraordinary Met Performances From 1966-67 The new box set is one of the most anticipated sets of the year as it includes some of {…}
Meryl Streep’s “Florence Foster Jenkins” has been nominated for four Golden Globes. The Motion Picture by Stephen Frears landed nominations in the Best Comedy or Musical categories. The film was nominated for Best Picture in a Musical or Comedy while Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant landed nominations in their respective Best Actress and Best Actor categories. The big surprise for {…}
Renee Fleming has confirmed that the new production of Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier” is her final production at the Metropolitan Opera. After much speculation the American diva confirmed it was her last contract with the company. She said in an interview with the Financial Times, “Yes, after Rosenkavalier at the Met, that is it, unless a new role comes along that is fit {…}
It’s not easy to become an overnight success in the opera world, much less a superstar. However, Sonya Yoncheva is already being called the successor to the great divas of both the past and present. Over the past year Yoncheva has expanded her repertoire immensely and this week she adds the role of Tatiana in Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” at {…}
It’s holiday season and that calls for holiday music. But why settle for listening to your favorite tunes with any old voices when you can have some of finest in history to take you through the merry times. Here is a look at some of the best holiday albums from the world’s greatest opera singers. The Three Tenors – Christmas {…}
Counter Tenor David Daniels will be cancelling his performances of his December run of “Rodelinda” at the Bolshoi Theatre due to illness. The announcement was made on the singer’s website Sunday. “He hopes to find the earliest opportunity to participate in another production at the Bolshoi Theatre. David sends his sincere thanks for the understanding of his colleagues and cast-mates, {…}
Over the course of two uninterrupted hours, Strauss’ “Salome” must develop from a clueless ingénue to a passionate seductress that eventually ends up a murderous, lustful lunatic. It is the dream role for any actress, but also one that demands a grade-A star to dispatch all of its nuance and intense passions. Patricia Racette was not supposed to be the {…}
The Metropolitan Opera will premiere Verdi’s early masterpiece “Nabucco” on Monday December 12 in a performance featuring legendary tenor-turned-baritone Placido Domingo. The Performers This series of six performances will be Domingo in the title role at the Met after he successfully performed it at the Royal Opera House. The performance was released on DVD. Domingo has showcased a number of {…}
Renee Fleming and Decca have a holiday gift for fans of the American soprano. Decca announced that the famed soprano will be releasing her latest album “Distant Lights” on Jan. 6, 2017. “Distant Lights” will be her first orchestral album in three years and will feature music by Samuel Barber, Anders Hillborg and Björk. The album will revolve around music {…}