Metropolitan Opera 2018-19 Review: Marnie

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2018-19-review-marnie/

Friday, Oct. 19, 2018 was a big night for the Metropolitan Opera. A few years back, the company commissioned an opera by Nico Muhly with a libretto by Nicholas Wright based on Winston Graham’s “Marnie.” The work premiered in 2017 in London and has now finally made its way to the Metropolitan Opera. The Met was packed in anticipation of {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Komische Oper Berlin 2017-18 Review – Eugene Onegin: Barrie Kosky’s Rendition of Tchaikovsky Masterwork Destined to Be Remembered Forever

https://operawire.com/komische-oper-berlin-2017-18-review-eugene-onegin-barrie-koskys-rendition-of-tchaikovsky-masterwork-destined-to-be-remembered-forever/

The Komische Oper in Berlin has soared in reputation under the leadership of Barrie Kosky for its innovative programming. It is regarded as the destination in town for rarely-performed opera works. Scheduling an opera trip in Berlin is full of challenges and my maiden journey to the Komische was for the altogether familiar “Eugene Onegin” by Tchaikovsky on Saturday night {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Royal Opera House 2017-18 Review – Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci: Verismo Duo Falls Prey to Verismo Schtick

https://operawire.com/royal-opera-house-2017-18-review-cavalleria-rusticana-pagliacci-verismo-duo-fall-prey-to-verismo-schtick/

In the beginning of the 20th-century there was a snootiness about verismo opera. All of its propagators – Puccini, Giordano, Mascagni, among others – were accused of simplifying opera by eliminating many of its challenges. Those long showy lines of coloratura were long gone. In place of it, the singers began interspersing notes and passages with great long sighs or {…}

On This Day, Special Features

4 Operas By Meyerbeer You Must Listen To

https://operawire.com/4-operas-by-meyerbeer-you-must-listen-to/

These days Giacomo Meyerbeer is not the most well-known of opera composers. It is actually quite a sad statement to make as the composer, born on Sept. 5, 1791, was arguably the Steven Spielberg of his day. His operas were the toast of the town in Paris, known for their tremendous showmanship and memorable music. To be Meyerbeer was the {…}

News

Cincinnati Opera 2018 Summer Season To Include ‘As One’ And ‘Another Brick In The Wall’

https://operawire.com/cincinnati-opera-2018-summer-season-to-include-as-one-and-another-brick-in-the-wall/

The Cincinnati Opera has announced its 2018 summer festival. The festival kicks off with Verdi’s “La Traviata” on June 14, 2018. French soprano Norah Amsellem will sing the title role with Korean tenor Ji-Min Park as her lover Alfredo. Korean baritone Youngjoo An will make his company debut singing the role of Giorgio Germont. Bliss Hebert will stage direct the production designed {…}

DVD and CD Releases, News

CD/DVD Releases – Week of May 29: Wagner and Handel Dominate Releases

https://operawire.com/cddvd-releases-week-of-may-29-wagner-and-handel-dominate-releases/

This week opera lovers get a chance to discover new music from Robert Franz and Handel and relive a classic work from Wagner. They also get a chance to listen to some of the world’s foremost Baroque specialists and Wagner singers. Check it out! Parsifal A new recording of Wagner’s “Parsifal” is scheduled for release this week as part of Elder’s new {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Baritone Lester Lynch on Arranging & Recording Spirituals For His New Album “On My Journey Now”

https://operawire.com/q-a-baritone-lester-lynch-on-arranging-recording-spirituals-for-his-new-album-on-my-journey-now/

American history will forever be marked by its atrocities committed during the era of slavery. That wound remains at the forefront of our world today, even as the nation has made “progress.” Today we continue to see acts of racist violence in both outrageous and more subtle ways. Given this context, the need for conversation is at its utmost and {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

A Zane Grey Opera – Exploring the Creation & Production of Arizona Opera’s World Premiere of ‘Riders of the Purple Sage’

https://operawire.com/a-zane-grey-opera-exploring-the-creation-production-of-arizona-operas-world-premiere-of-riders-of-the-purple-sage/

Rain was pouring down for miles while composer Craig Bohmler was on a drive through the mountain region outside Phoenix. Everywhere he looked, visibility was low and he knew that due to the strong monsoon winds, staying out in this weather was probably not a wise proposition. He eventually stopped at “the second light.” “It’s important to note that it {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Cathartic Trauma – How Susan Graham Overcame the Emotional Challenges of Performing ‘Dead Man Walking’

https://operawire.com/cathartic-trauma-how-susan-grahams-overcame-the-emotional-challenges-of-performing-dead-man-walking/

Overcoming a traumatic experience is an arduous task that really never goes away. It leaves its mark, the smallest stimulus bringing it back with greater potency. Artists don’t always have the luxury of running away from trauma. They not only have to portray it but live it time and time again. And in the case of opera singers, they might {…}

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