Those two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Those immortal words by Robert Frost might as well apply to almost anyone who takes on an artistic endeavor. But for bass Matthew Curran, the path to operatic success has been a truly unusual one, as {…}
Rain was pouring down for miles while composer Craig Bohmler was on a drive through the mountain region outside Phoenix. Everywhere he looked, visibility was low and he knew that due to the strong monsoon winds, staying out in this weather was probably not a wise proposition. He eventually stopped at “the second light.” “It’s important to note that it {…}
This week the Teatro alla Scala will revive the 1990 Liliana Cavani production of Verdi’s “La Traviata.” The production returns after DmItri Tcherniakov’s 2013 staGing failed to please Scala audiences. This time the Cavani production will be sung by two leading sopranos. First Ailyn Pérez will bring her acclaimed Violetta to the theater. Perez has performed the role around the {…}
The San Francisco Opera’s summer season will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the “Summer of Love,” a social movement that emerged in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood during the summer of 1967 with three operatic gems that explore the theme of love in its many guises. The company will also returns to the home of the San Francisco Giants for the eleventh “Opera at {…}
Willy Decker’s production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” opens on Friday, marking the final revival of the acclaimed production. Sonya Yoncheva reprises her acclaimed Violetta which critics said, “was a creation full of searching details.” The soprano has been hailed as one of the great Violettas of our time and has sung the role in Munich, Paris, Zurich and London. Michael {…}
Opera is a singer’s medium, but the last few decades have seen a shift toward giving the director the power onstage, especially in Europe. The Metropolitan Opera has slowly but surely reshaped its theatrical approach to its new productions, bringing in renowned stage directors from around the world. Some have been David Alden, Anthony Minghella, Richard Eyre, Mary Zimmerman, David McVicar {…}
“You can write an opera about anything. Someone told me to write an opera about a telephone catalogue and I said sure. There are so many stories you could probably find. Of course that wouldn’t be easy at all but if you have a crazy idea, there is always a way out of it. It just makes you work harder. {…}
Rolando Villazón turns 45 on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017. The Mexican tenor has managed a strong career over the past decade, conquering numerous struggles and paving new ways that have allowed him to remain at the forefront of opera’s diversification and development. He has reshaped his repertoire to suit his vocal and dramatic abilities, but today we recognize him for {…}
The Dutch National Opera has announced its 2017-18 Season. New Productions The season opens with a new production of Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” directed by Christof Loy. Michele Mariotti conducts an all star cast that includes Eva-Maria Westbroek, Roberto Aronica, Franco Vassallo, Robert Lloyd, Vitalij Kowaljow and Alessandro Corbelli. It will be followed by a new production of Francesco {…}
This review is for the performance on Feb. 20, 2017. Taking in the experience of Massenet’s “Werther” is a rather fascinating one. Not because the music is without a doubt the composer’s finest creation or because the Metropolitan Opera’s production is a dramatic home run (more on that later). It has to do with audience interaction and engagement. Who would {…}
Overcoming a traumatic experience is an arduous task that really never goes away. It leaves its mark, the smallest stimulus bringing it back with greater potency. Artists don’t always have the luxury of running away from trauma. They not only have to portray it but live it time and time again. And in the case of opera singers, they might {…}