From ‘Downton Abbey’ to Helping Young Singers, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa’s Post-Performance Exploits

https://operawire.com/from-downton-abbey-to-helping-young-singers-dame-kiri-te-kanawas-post-performance-exploits/

Kiri Te Kanawa is one of the great sopranos of the 20th century, the New Zealander known for her sheer magnetism and elegance onstage. Te Kanawa, born on March 6, 1944, retired from the opera stage in the early 2000’s, making occasional cameos in ensuing years, but dedicating herself to a number of different projects and assignments. The Foundation Among {…}

DVD and CD Reviews, Reviews

‘Les Pêcheurs de Perles’ DVD Review: Damrau, Polenzani, Kwiecien Shine in Must-Buy Metropolitan Opera Production of Bizet’s Gem

https://operawire.com/les-pecheurs-de-perles-dvd-review-damrau-polenzani-kwiecien-shine-in-must-buy-metropolitan-opera-production-of-bizets-gem/

For decades Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles” was rarely ever performed. We would hear the famed “Friendship Duet” or get the occasional recording here and there, but seeing a staged performance was a thing of dreams. But now opera lovers can enjoy a live performance of Bizet’s often-ignored work from the comfort of their living rooms. Mind you, the Metropolitan {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Lyric Opera Of Chicago 2016-17 Review – ‘Carmen:’ Dramatic Depth & Power Is Lacking Despite Vocal Finesse Throughout the Cast

https://operawire.com/lyric-opera-of-chicago-2016-17-review-carmen-dramatic-depth-power-is-lacking-despite-vocal-finesse-throughout-the-cast/

izet’sThis review is in reference to the performance on Friday, March 3, 2017. With Bizet’s ever-famous score full of ear tingling music, catchy tunes, and drama-packed scenes, an evening of Carmen is a guaranteed great night at the opera, making this the perfect way for first-timers to first dip their toes into the operatic repertory. The Leads Lyric Opera’s production {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

The Butterfly – Pretty Yende’s Never-Ending Search For Artistic Freedom

https://operawire.com/the-butterfly-pretty-yendes-never-ending-search-for-artistic-freedom/

A butterfly can never be caged or it dies. The same can be said of an opera singer, who needs the freedom to explore and develop as an artist. When an artist is caged and not allowed to carve out an organic path, he or she may burn out very quickly. During a recent interview with OperaWire, soprano Pretty Yende {…}

News

Despite Met Opera ‘Tosca’ Cancellation, Jonas Kaufmann Still Slated to Perform in NYC in 2017-18

https://operawire.com/despite-met-tosca-cancellation-jonas-kaufmann-still-slated-to-perform-in-nyc-in-2017-18/

Despite cancelling his performances of “Tosca” at the Metropolitan Opera, Jonas Kaufmann is still slated to perform in New York next season. In addition to his engagements with the Met, the tenor was still scheduled for a performance of the second act of “Tristan und Isolde” at Carnegie Hall with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. New York Times Reporter Michael Cooper, {…}

News

Anna Netrebko And Yusif Eyvazov To Perform Giordano’s ‘Andrea Chénier’ At Hungarian State Opera

https://operawire.com/anna-netrebko-and-yusif-eyvazov-to-perform-giordanos-andrea-chenier-at-hungarian-state-opera/

Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov will perform Giordano’s “Andrea Chénier” at the Hungarian State Opera. The news was revealed by the Instagram account La Splendida_Netrebko, which posted a picture of the scheduled concert performance on Dec. 29. Netrebko and Eyvazov will perform the concert after their scheduled performances at the Teatro Alla Scala, which will open the 2017-18 Season. The {…}

News

Winners Of The Music Academy Of The West’s Marilyn Horne Song Competition To Set Off On U.S. Concert Tour

https://operawire.com/winners-of-the-music-academy-of-the-wests-marilyn-horne-song-competition-to-set-off-on-u-s-concert-tour/

March is upon us and that means that the Music Academy of the West’s Marilyn Horne Song Competition winners are slated for a busy tour in coming weeks. Baritone Ben Lowe and pianist Madeline Slettedahl, the artists in question, will be heading on a recital tour that takes them through Houston (March 9), Santa Barbara (March 11), Chicago (March 14) and {…}

News

Social Media Beat (Week of 2/27/2017): Guess Who Got Hang Out With Dame Judi Dench?

https://operawire.com/social-media-beat-week-of-2272017-guess-who-got-hang-out-with-dame-judi-dench/

It was a fun week for a lot of major superstars in the opera world. Let’s start off with Carmen Giannattasio’s amazing week where she was not only given the honor of Knight of the order of the Star of the Italian Republic, but she also got to hang out with none other than legendary actress Dame Judi Dench. {…}

News

Weekend Preview (3/3-5) – USA: Pretty Yende returns to Met Stage for ‘Roméo et Juliette’

https://operawire.com/weekend-preview-33-5-usa-pretty-yende-returns-to-met-stage-for-romeo-et-juliette/

A French classic returns to the Met stage this weekend as the other major companies around the states continue business as usual. Audiences will get a chance to relive Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” at the Met with a new cast starring Pretty Yende and Stephen Costello. The following day, Massenet’s “Werther,” which was widely praised (including by OperaWire) makes its {…}

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From ‘Downton Abbey’ to Helping Young Singers, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa’s Post-Performance Exploits

‘Les Pêcheurs de Perles’ DVD Review: Damrau, Polenzani, Kwiecien Shine in Must-Buy Metropolitan Opera Production of Bizet’s Gem

Lyric Opera Of Chicago 2016-17 Review – ‘Carmen:’ Dramatic Depth & Power Is Lacking Despite Vocal Finesse Throughout the Cast

The Butterfly – Pretty Yende’s Never-Ending Search For Artistic Freedom

Despite Met Opera ‘Tosca’ Cancellation, Jonas Kaufmann Still Slated to Perform in NYC in 2017-18

Anna Netrebko And Yusif Eyvazov To Perform Giordano’s ‘Andrea Chénier’ At Hungarian State Opera

Winners Of The Music Academy Of The West’s Marilyn Horne Song Competition To Set Off On U.S. Concert Tour

Social Media Beat (Week of 2/27/2017): Guess Who Got Hang Out With Dame Judi Dench?

Weekend Preview (3/3-5) – USA: Pretty Yende returns to Met Stage for ‘Roméo et Juliette’