There is something to be said about the proverbial aura of live performances, especially in the case of “Parsifal” and recordings from its native Bayreuth. The pleasure is double – cynics might argue – in the absence of visual extravagance, incl. kinky stage designs and the intrusion of AR into the scenography. Thankfully, Deutsche Grammophon does not impose the latter; {…}
(Credit: Lucas Sanchez) Argentinian/Italian tenor Santiago Ballerini is one of the leading tenors in the Bel Canto repertoire. He has performed at many of the major opera houses throughout North and South America from Opera Nacional de Chile, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Canadian Opera Company, Bellas Artes in Mexico City, and Dallas Opera. He has also performed in Europe {…}
The SWR Orchestra has announced that no complaints were found following an internal investigation into its Music Director Designate François-Xavier Roth’s sexual allegations. The orchestra said that the SWR set up an internal audit committee to investigate whether there had been any misconduct by Roth towards members of the SWR orchestras and noted that the commission consisted of members of {…}
(Photo credit: © Ruth Walz) Puccini in Aix-en-Provence is not an obvious combination, and it was not until 2019 with Christophe Honoré’s “Tosca” production that Lucca’s maestro made his debut in the festival. It was an ultra-revisionist “Tosca”: two primissime donne on the stage, several videoclips, and many other bold choices. It was glorious and thought-provoking. Therefore, expectations for a “Madama {…}
The BBC Singers has appointed Jonathan Manners as the new Director. Manners became the producer of the group in 2016 and was responsible for their artistic direction and their broadcast output. Under his leadership, the BBC Singers has broadened extensively and the group has championed the work of female and culturally diverse composers, partnered with a wide range of artists, {…}
Marble City Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. First up is “Tenors, Tuxedos, and Stalactites.” The showcase will take place inside the Historic Cherokee Caverns in Knoxville, Tennessee. This is the third year the company presents a concert in the cave. Performance Date: August 17, 2024 Then comes the Tennessee premiere of Susan Kander and Roberta Gumbel’s “dwb (driving while {…}
Knoxville Opera has unveiled its 2024-25 season. The first performance of the season will be an “Opera’s Greatest Hits” concert that honors conductor Robert Lyall. Performance Dates: Sept. 22, 2024 On the opera side of things, first up on the slate is Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance.” The production is directed by Dean Anthony and conducted by Joseph {…}
The XXIV Pergolesi Spontini Festival will honor the work and memory of composer Gaspare Spontini in “Spontini Days.” In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth, “Spontini Days” will take place in his hometown of Maiolati Spontini, between July and Sept. Events will feature original and contemporary reinterpretations of the composer’s operas and arias performed by soprano Khatia {…}
(Photo: Studio B12) The advertising poster for the Cremona Monteverdi Festival’s production of “L’Orfeo” included the picture “Happy Hours” by Jean Lecointre. It depicts a woman with continuous streams of tears pouring from her eyes into a glass of wine, or does it? Could it be the reverse situation? Maybe the streams are moving in the opposite direction from the {…}
(Photo credit: Pacific Chorale) Pacific Chorale’s 16th Annual Choral Festival will culminating in a free performance of Haydn’s “Mass in Time of War.” Conductor Robert Istad leads the Pacific Chorale’s Festival Choir in the final concert. Also on the program is the world premiere of Dr. Jung-a Lee’s new work “Hommage à Haydn.” The composer gives the premiere at the {…}
The Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne has announced its 2024-25 season which features Renaud Capuçon as the Music Director. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Hossein Pishkar conducts a program of Haydn and Martin with bass-baritone Johan Reuter. Performance Date: Dec. 11 & 12, 2024 Barbara Hannigan conducts and sings a program of music by Khayam, Haydn, Stravinsky, and {…}