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DVD and CD Reviews, Reviews

CD Review: New Focus Recordings John Aylward’s ‘Oblivion’

https://operawire.com/cd-review-new-focus-recordings-john-aylwards-oblivion/

The doctrine of Purgatory, largely based on a few vague lines of apocryphal scripture, is an oft-misunderstood facet of Catholicism. The catechism never explicitly refers to it as a place. Rather, it’s described as a process of purification for dead believers who must be fully cleansed before entering heaven. Of course, this hasn’t kept artists and theologians from imagining purgatory {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Staatsoper Berlin 2023-24 Review: Der Ring des Nibelungen

https://operawire.com/staatsoper-berlin-2023-24-review-der-ring-des-nibelungen/

The current “Der Ring des Nibelungen” at Staatsoper Berlin came into being in October 2022 directed by Russian director Dmitri Tcherniakov and due to be conducted by Daniel Barenboim. Sadly, though, Maestro Barenboim, had to pull out of the production because of severe health issues, a great blow to all, but so disappointing for Barenboim in his 80th year.   {…}

Special Features

Best of 2023: OperaWire’s Staff on the Best Performances of the Year

https://operawire.com/best-of-2023-operawires-staff-on-the-best-performances-of-the-year/

And we’re back. And as has become the tradition here at OperaWire, we have asked our writers to select their choices for the opera performances that truly marveled them in 2023. So without further ado, here are our writers’ picks. Enjoy! Joao Copertino This year, in my opinion, the best performance was Aix-en-Provence’s “Picture a Day Like This,” a world premiere {…}

Reviews

Brooklyn Art Song Society 2023-24 Review: Circles III – The Second Viennese School

https://operawire.com/brooklyn-art-song-society-2023-24-review-circles-iii-the-second-viennese-school/

(Photo credit: Catherine Hancock) Brooklyn Art Song Society (BASS) presented “Circles III: The Second Viennese School” on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 at the First Unitarian Church of Brooklyn. The organization’s season has been a major hit among art song lovers and listeners who might not find a program like this anywhere else, but right here in Brooklyn.  The season began {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Metropolitan Opera 2023-24 Review: Florencia en el Amazonas

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2023-24-review-florencia-en-el-amazonas/

The Spanish language is pretty preponderant in the United States of America with a recent census stating that over 42 million people in the country aged five and older speak the language at home. It’s the second most learned language following English, with over 8 million students. And yet, it took until 2023 for the Metropolitan Opera to finally, and {…}

Reviews

Swedish Radio Choir Review 2023: Awake! Hear The Voices Calling

https://operawire.com/swedish-radio-choir-review-2023-awake-hear-the-voices-calling/

Few things inspire one to brave the winter cold, most specifically the inner city wind with its biting apathy and fierce animosity towards exposed skin and flesh. However, during the early afternoon on November 25th, one might have felt especially moved to brave the unforgiving temperatures in downtown Stockholm for the Swedish Radio Choir‘s performance of two of J. S. {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Brooklyn Art Song Society 2023-24 Review: Circles II – The Wagnerians

https://operawire.com/brooklyn-art-song-society-2023-24-review-circles-ii-the-wagnerians-bass/

Photo credit: Catherine Hancock Brooklyn Art Song Society (BASS) continued its 14th season with “Circles II: The Wagnerians” on Friday, November 3rd, 2023, at the First Unitarian Church of Brooklyn. OperaWire covered its season opener, “Circles I: Clara, Robert & Johannes,” last month and discovered how art song continues to engage listeners from a place of uninhibited curiosity and what {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Metropolitan Opera 2023-24 Review: La Bohème

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2023-24-review-la-boheme/

Photo: ©Met Opera press Metropolitan Opera is presenting Puccini’s “La Bohème” with set designs by the masterful Franco Zeffirelli for its 2023-24 season run with a total of 18 performances which began on October 10th, continuing through January 3, 2024. The season opener marked the 1,347th performance at the opera house, and in order to not get lost in the {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Brooklyn Art Song Society 2023-2024 Review: Circles I – Clara, Robert & Johannes

https://operawire.com/brooklyn-art-song-society-2023-2024-review-circles-i-clara-robert-johannes/

Photo Credit: Catherine Hancock Brooklyn Art Song Society (BASS) opened its 14th season with “Circles I: Clara, Robert & Johannes” on Friday, October 6th 2023 to an audience of engaged listeners and avid art song lovers. Artistic director Michael Brofman welcomed everyone and introduced Dean Whiteside of the Goethe-Institute for his pre-concert lecture pertaining to the intimate details behind some {…}