It belongs in the past, the idea of gathering excellent singers for opening night and then choosing unknown young performers for alternative casts. Teatro Real, with the participation of Quinn Kelsey, John Osborn and Gianluca Buratto, proved how strong cast C was for its production of “Rigoletto.” Quinn Kelsey as Rigoletto Baritone Quinn Kelsey portrayed the titular role. He has {…}
Park Avenue Artists have announced the appointment of Greg Kastelman as its Co-Director of Artistic Bookings. Kastelman, who has worked as a booking agent, producer, and consultant for 15 years in the classical music industry, will work with Devy Reddy, Director of Artistic Management and Book, to expand the organization’s operation and grow its presence throughout the industry. “I have {…}
The Teatro Real de Madrid continued its run of “Rigoletto” with a second cast under the musical direction of Nicola Luisotti. Since our earlier review of the first cast already explores the production itself, we will jump right into an analysis of the vocal performances. Étienne Dupuis was a lyrical Rigoletto, but far too lyrical. His warm and effortless timbre {…}
Ramón Vargas is set to celebrate Guanajuato’s 200th anniversary with a gala performance on Dec. 20, 2023. The tenor will be joined by soprano Leticia de Altamirano at the Teatro del Bicentenario in León. Maestro Iván López Reynoso will lead the Orquesta and Coro del Teatro del Bicentenario. Vargas and Altamirano will perform arias and duets from famed operas, as {…}
Ildar Abdrazakov has appeared on a list of Vladimir Putin’s supporters who nominated the president as an independent candidate for reelection. Per Reuters, according to Russian news agencies, “An initiative group made up of over 700 politicians and figures from the sporting and cultural worlds met on Saturday in Moscow and unanimously endorsed Putin’s nomination as an independent candidate.” In {…}
(Credit: Victor Santiago) Francesco Meli has received the Croce d’Oro di San Giorgio. The tenor took to social media to announce the news and said, “An unexpected award, crowning a career that began over twenty years ago! Happy and Honored, I thank the Liguria Region and the President Giovanni Toti for choosing me and considering me worthy of this honor. {…}
(Credit: Paola Kudacki / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to celebrate its New Year with a new production of Bizet’s “Carmen” The opera will be directed by English director Carrie Cracknell. Cracknell will explore themes that could not be more relevant today: gendered violence, abusive labor structures, and the desire to break through societal boundaries. The opera will {…}
On Site Opera has announced its production of “The Immersive Coffee Cantata Experience—a reimagining of Bach’s Coffee Cantata.” Bach’s short comic opera, “Coffee Cantata” (“Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht,” BWV 211) is set in the Zimmerman’s coffee house in Leipzig, Germany. It tells the story of Lieschen, sung by soprano Christine Lyons, (cover, Teryn Kuzma) a spirited young woman who adores {…}
Opéra de Lille has appointed Barbara Eckle as its new director. She will take over the position on July 1, 2025. Eckle will succeed Caroline Sonrier, who has been the director of Opéra de Lille since 2003. Sonrier will continue in her position until June 2025. Eckle will be tasked with preparing the artistic programming for seasons 25-26 and beyond. {…}
Cincinnati May Festival has announced that Matthew Swanson is the new director of choruses. He begins his tenure on June 1, 2024. “I am honored to serve the members of the May Festival Chorus and our broader community as Director of Choruses. The May Festival, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops have been continuing sources of inspiration since I {…}
The Greek National Opera will present the Greek premiere of Nadia Boulanger’s “La Ville Morte” this January. The production, which will be presented on the Alternative Stage at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens, will be showcased in co-production with Catapult Opera. The work, which was scheduled to premiere in 1914 in Paris, was never staged due to {…}