The etymology of the Italian word “maschera” (and its English equivalent “mask”) is rather obscure. It’s derived from the Arabic word “maskara,” meaning buffoonery and/or harsh derision. Indeed, a closer look at “Un ballo in maschera” reveals a higher degree of caustic bite far beyond the final act’s famous masked ball. Amelia seeks help from the soothsayer Ulrica to rid {…}
(Photo: Hans Jörg Michel/Hamburg State Opera) San Francisco Opera has announced its 2026–27 season, the Company’s 104th. The season opens with Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra,” conducted by Music Director Eun Sun Kim in a new-to-San-Francisco-Opera production by Claus Guth. Baritone Amartuvshin Enkhbat sings the title role, with Eleonora Buratto as Amelia, Christian Van Horn as Fiesco, and Joshua Guerrero as Gabriele {…}
(Credit: © Michele Monasta) Marina Comparato and Gianni Fabbrini are set to tour Italy following the release of their album “Romantic Florence.” The tour is dedicated to the chamber vocal music of Luigi Gordigiani, the 19th-century composer affectionately known as “the Italian Schubert.” The tour opened on Jan. 31 at the Conservatory of Reggio Emilia and was followed by a concert {…}
(Credit: Marco Borggreve) This week the Dutch National opera open a revival production of “Tristan und Isolde” by the late Pierre Audi. Every time that the Wagner work is presented is special as it one of the most challenging in the repertoire and therefore rarely performed. For this revival, the Dutch National Opera has chosen a well-known Wagnerian tenor and {…}
The Salle Cortot in Paris has unveiled its February 2026 slate. Here are the vocal performances on offer. First up is “L’Art du Beau Chant” featuring countertenor Valer Sabadus and the Ensemble Pulcinella under Ophélie Gaillard. Performance Date: Feb. 3, 2026 Then comes “Rêves d’Espagne” featuring mezzo-soprano Astrid Tchekhoff as she takes on works by Bizet, Duparc, Falla, Lara, Ravel, Schumann, {…}
Seattle Opera has announced its 2026-27 season, featuring six productions presented between October 2026 and May 2027 at McCaw Hall and the Opera Center. The season opens with Strauss’s “Salome,” returning to Seattle Opera for the first time since 2002. The production is directed by Bruno Ravella and conducted by Benjamin Manis. Soprano Brenda Rae sings the title role, with {…}
Opera Modesto is joining forces with the Great Valley Museum and Planetarium and Modesto Junior College to present “Goodnight Moon.” The program, set for Feb. 12, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Great Valley Museum and Planetarium, features soprano Emily Gallagher and pianist Andrew Pham and centers on themes of night, dreams, and the moon, bringing together classical and musical {…}
The Boston Camerata will present “Farewell, Unkind: Songs and Dances of John Dowland,” marking the 400th anniversary of the composer’s death in 2026. The showcase, set for Feb. 15, 2026 at 4 p.m. local time, will take place at Edward M. Pickman Concert Hall at the Long School of Music of Bard College. Artistic Director Anne Azéma leads a program {…}
(Credit: © Guergana Damianova – OnP) Ralph Fiennes knows a thing or two about Alexander Pushkin’s novel in verse, “Eugene Onegin.” It turns out he has a touch for opera, too, based on his directorial debut at the Paris Opera. His staging of Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” at the Palais Garnier is rooted in tradition, but he controlled the action on {…}
LA Opera has announced its 2026-27 season. Here are the MainStage and LA Opera Off productions. Mainstage Rihab Chaieb, Joshua Guerrero, Kathleen O’Mara, and Liam James Karai lead a new production of Bizet’s “Carmen“ by Thaddeus Strassberger. Domingo Hindoyan conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. 17-Nov. 7, 2026 Lina González-Granados conducts Bernstein’s “Candide“ with Duke Kim, Deanna Breiwick, and Patti LuPone. Francesca Zambello {…}
Pro Musica San Miguel Mexico is set to present Verdi’s “Otello” on Feb. 6 and 7, 2026. The showcase, set to take place at the Teatro Ángela Peralta, will be led by conductor Jesús Almanza and director Rodrigo Garciarroyo, who also takes on the iconic title role. Garciarroyo is joined by Jacinta Barbachana, interpreting Desdemona, and Enrique Angeles, playing Iago. {…}