Photo: Evan Zimmerman / Met Opera This year’s season opener of the Met’s “The Magic Flute,” on December 8th, 2023, was another high-energy holiday extravaganza. The family-friendly annual production by Julie Taymor was a familiar favorite to many; its rich fantasy world of magical symbolism dazzled and delivered. However, what set the bar for this year’s production apart from others, {…}
(Credit: Uwe Arens) The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced a cast change for its Dec. 13, 2023 performance of “Turandot.” The company said, “In today’s performance of ‘Turandot‘, the titular role will be played by Catherine Foster, substituting for Ekaterina Semenchuk, who is still indisposed. This will mark the second performance for Foster in the production after jumping in {…}
Ópera de Oviedo finished the 2023 year with a polemic new “Traviata,” by director Paco Azorin and co-coproduced with the Festival Castell de Perelada, a splendid cast of singers and the energetic approach of its conductor, Òliver Dìaz. Paco Azorin is one of the most talented and prolific Spanish stage directors and set designers today. He sets the opera in {…}
(Photo: Tamara Cerna SofiG) Immediately after the curtain came down on Brno National Theater’s excellent production of Richard Strauss’ “Salome,” OperaWire nipped around to the stage door for an interview appointment with Slovakian soprano Linda Ballová, who had just produced a stunning performance in the titular role. It is unlikely that many opera-goers in Western countries will have heard the {…}
(Photo Credits: Arne Hyckenberg) The Swedish Radio Choir, on December 9, performed one of Rachmaninoff’s last pieces before his emigration from Russia, namely his choral symphony, “The Bells” (Op. 35), composed right before his English tour and other notable works like his “All-Night Vigil” (Op. 37) and his acclaimed “Vocalize” (Op. 34, No. 14). Accompanied by the Swedish Radio Symphonic {…}
The Tiroler Festspiele Erl has announced its summer 2024 program. Erik Nielsen conducts Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” with Brigitte Fassbaender directing. Performance Dates: July 5 & 23, 2024 Erik Nielsen conducts a production of “Die Walküre” by Brigitte Fassbaender. Performance Dates: July 6 & 24, 2024 “Siegfried” is set to be conducted by Erik Nielsen and directed by Brigitte Fassbaender. Kaspar Glarner {…}
The Nice Philharmonic Orchestra has appointed Lionel Bringuier as Principal Conductor. The announcement was made by Christian Estrosi, President of the Metropolis of Nice Côte d’Azur, Delegate President of the Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and Bertrand Rossi, General Director of the Nice Côte-d’Azur Opera. The conductor will succeed Daniele Callegari, for the seasons 2024 and 2024-25, who has been in this {…}
(Photo credit: Christian Kleiner & Theo Williams) The Leeds Lieder Festival has announced the 2024 event schedule. For its 20th anniversary celebration soprano Nikola Hillebrand, Joseph Middleton and Oliver Casanovas Nuevo perform the “Schubertiade lunchtime opening recital.” Performance Date: April 14, 2024 The “Young Artists Schubertiade” features Richard Stokes and the Leeds Lieder Young Artists. Performance Date: April 14, 2024 {…}
(Photo credit: ©Sophie von Hellermann) Catapult Opera is set to give the American premiere of Nadia Boulanger’s opera “La Ville Morte.” With a libretto by Gabriele d’Annunzio from his play of the same name, “La Ville Morte” is a tale of “suppressed lust and taboo turned lethal, the prisons of other people’s objectifying desires, and the liberatory potential of creativity.” {…}
The Victorian Opera is set to present Bernstein’s “Candide” as the company’s first production of 2024. The piece will be performed three times from Feb. 8 to 10, 2024 at St Kilda’s Palais Theatre. The production is led by the multi-talented and Tony-nominated composer of Beetlejuice and star of Offspring, Eddie Perfect and Lyndon Watts, the award-winning breakout star of {…}
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra has announced that Kwamé Ryan will be the new Music Director. Ryan will be the 12th Music Director starting during the 2024-25 season and ushering in a new era for the Orchestra’s 93rd season. In a statement, the Music Designate said, “On my very first visit to Charlotte, I felt instantly connected with the dynamic energy of {…}
