He has described his work as a conductor to that of “football” manager. He hates the label “eliticism” when referring to the world of opera, instead seeing it as an art for everyone. He loves all kinds of music and was once a lounge-bar pianist. If there is one thing that you can admire about Antonio Pappano, who was born {…}
Many of the international opera houses will end the 2016 with a bang, ensuring that their companies put out their best to the very end. Germany At the Baden Baden Festival, Sonya Yoncheva and Piotr Beczala will come together for the yearly Silver Concert with music by Gounod, Massenet, Bizet, Offenbach, Lehar and Strauss. There will also be selections by {…}
On Dec. 30, 1835 Donizetti’s “Maria Stuarda” made its premiere with the admired soprano Maria Malibran. The opera did not get a good reception due to the two sopranos being in poor voice and as a result of Malibran ignoring the censors. The result was an opera that would be ignored for 130 years and one that would not be {…}
On Jan. 1 Fabio Luisi, one of the leading conductors of Italian operas, will lead the New Year’s concert from the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. The first part of the concert will include Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and will be followed by an intermission. The second part will be dedicated to great operatic repertoire and will include soprano Rosa Feola {…}
New Years weekend will not be particularly active in the American opera scene. Only three major companies will make their respective presences felt as the calendar turns from 2016 to 2017. The Metropolitan Opera will continue its full slate of operas, showcasing three works to end the year. There will be two performances given on Friday, December 30. At 12 {…}
The Atlanta Opera’s renowned chorus master Walter Huff is stepping down after decades of service. The announcement came Thursday as the Maestro determined to focus on his work at Indiana Unversity. According to a press release, his tenure process starts in April and his last official day with Atlanta Opera will be January 1, 2017. “My admiration of Walter cannot {…}
Gounod’s beloved “Romeo Juliette” returns to the Met on New Years Eve with a star cast that includes two singers that had electric chemistry in another great French work a few years ago. The Performers Diana Damrau and Vittorio were a dynamic duo when they took the stage for Massenet’s “Manon” back in March 2015. Their chemistry was revered by {…}
On Dec. 31 Diana Damrau will make her role debut as Juliette in Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette” in a special New Year’s Eve gala at the Metropolitan Opera. The occasion will also mark the premiere of Bartlett Sher’s acclaimed staging from the Salzburg Festival. With such a momentous occasion Operawire takes a look at past Juliettes who have graced the {…}
London audiences will get reacquainted with soprano Maria Katzarava this January when the Mexican Georgian singer makes appearances at the Wigmore Hall. The soprano will appear on January 10 for the Rosenblatt Recitals at Wigmore Hall, a concert series that showcases some of the greatest opera stars of the moment. She will be joined by tenor Stefano la Colla and {…}
On New Year’s Eve many operatic stars will celebrate the New Year performing on stage. There will be many productions of “Die Fledermaus” and the Metropolitan Opera will present a new production of Gounod’s “Rome et Juliette.” However for those not interested in seeing a complete opera and interested in something lighter, many of the world’s greatest stars will perform {…}
Johannes Martin Kränzle may not have the world-renown name of many major singers, but he certainly has the experience and recordings to illustrate his strength as an artist. The baritone has a varied selection from which listeners can choose from, ranging from high profile video recordings to more intimate listening experiences. Here are some of his vital albums. 1. Alberich {…}