Opernhaus Zürich 2023-24 Review: Platée

https://operawire.com/opernhaus-zurich-2023-24-review-platee/

The Opernhaus Zürich presents a new production of a French Baroque masterpiece: “Platée,” a ballet-bouffon composed by Jean-Philippe Rameau in 1745. The premiere took place in Versailles as part of the festivities for the wedding of Louis XV with María Teresa Rafaela of Spain. The libretto, by Adrien-Joseph Le Valois d’Orville, draws inspiration from Greek mythology. It narrates the tale {…}

Opera Meets Film, Special Features

Opera Meets Film: Robert Ashley’s TV Opera ‘Perfect Lives’

https://operawire.com/opera-meets-film-robert-ashleys-perfect-lives/

It’s easier to appreciate Robert Ashley’s 1983 “Perfect Lives” by simply accepting it on faith as an “opera” rather than try to cram it into the narrow definition established for the genre. There’s quite a bit of text, some singing, a story with characters, and perhaps too much of a visual spectacle. Purists with preconceived notions about how exactly these {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Bayreuth Festival 2023 Review: Der Ring des Nibelungen

https://operawire.com/bayreuth-festival-2023-review-der-ring-des-nibelungen/

(Photo: © Enrico Nawrath) As the final cycle of Bayreuth’s 2023 “Ring des Nibelungen” came to a close, the air remained electric with the sounds of Wagner’s apocalyptic horns and the swirling raptures of the Rhine. Camps came away divided into those either outraged or captivated by director Valentin Schwarz‘s reinvention of the Walsung’s messy journey into oblivion. To be {…}

News

Greek National Opera & Neon’s Commission ‘Bleat’ to Premiere at the New York Film Festival

https://operawire.com/greek-national-opera-neons-commission-bleat-to-premiere-at-the-new-york-film-festival/

(Photo of Emma Stone in Bleat by Yorgos Lanthimos) The Greek National Opera has announced that Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos’s short film “Bleat” will receive its United States premiere at the 61st New York Film Festival. The film features music by J. S. Bach/Knut Nystedt and Toshio Hokosawa, which will be performed by a live music ensemble for the premiere {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Metropolitan Opera 2022-2023 Review: L’Elisir d’Amore (Cast B)

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2022-2023-review-lelisir-damore-cast-b/

On April 13, 2023, the Metropolitan Opera opened its April run of Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore.” Bartlett Sher’s 2012 production was met with new life thanks to a number of stunning debuts from the cast. The staging itself presents a view of Italy during unification which neither rebukes nor flatters the historical context of the work, leaving an authentic, if understated, {…}

Editorials

Criticism on Fridays: The Voices Raised Against the Coming Changes At the MET

https://operawire.com/criticism-on-fridays-the-voices-raised-against-the-coming-changes-at-the-met/

In this crazy and cruel world, stay classy and go to the opera. We are proud opera lovers, standing for the high art, for the most sophisticated art form. We want to preserve the heritage, and keep it great. We don’t follow the modern global market trends. Or do we? Every time Google releases a new version of its Operation {…}

DVD and CD Releases, News

Cyrille Dubois, Benjamin Appl & Eleonora Buratto Lead New CD/DVD Releases

https://operawire.com/cyrille-dubois-benjamin-appl-eleonora-buratto-lead-new-cd-dvd-releases/

As part of this week’s CD / DVD releases, audiences will get to hear rarely performed works, a Rossini album, a documentary, a streamed opera, and a solo album by one of the great tenors of his generation. George Walker The fifth audio release on The Cleveland Orchestra’s own label showcased Music Director Franz Welser-Möst performing music by American composer {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Metropolitan Opera 2022-23 Review: Idomeneo

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2022-23-review-idomeneo/

For the second straight night, the Metropolitan Opera orchestra was at its peak level. After an incredibly immersive opening night performing in Cherubini’s “Medea,” the ensemble, under the musical direction of Manfred Honeck nearly outdid itself. From the thunderous overture all the way to the final triumphant march, Honeck had the ensemble surging forward with unbridled passion and a {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Bayreuth Festival 2022 Review: Tristan und Isolde

https://operawire.com/bayreuth-festival-2022-review-tristan-und-isolde/

While taking in a divisive production of “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” it was quite refreshing to take in the August 12 performance of “Tristan und Isolde” and come away hearing deserved bravos and cheers. While most productions are usually planned years in advance, director Roland Schwab was only commissioned to take on this a new production of Wagner’s masterpiece in {…}

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Opernhaus Zürich 2023-24 Review: Platée

Opera Meets Film: Robert Ashley’s TV Opera ‘Perfect Lives’

Bayreuth Festival 2023 Review: Der Ring des Nibelungen

Greek National Opera & Neon’s Commission ‘Bleat’ to Premiere at the New York Film Festival

Metropolitan Opera 2022-2023 Review: L’Elisir d’Amore (Cast B)

Criticism on Fridays: The Voices Raised Against the Coming Changes At the MET

Cyrille Dubois, Benjamin Appl & Eleonora Buratto Lead New CD/DVD Releases

Metropolitan Opera 2022-23 Review: Idomeneo

Bayreuth Festival 2022 Review: Tristan und Isolde