James Conlon Extends LA Opera Contract Through 2020-21

https://operawire.com/james-conlon-extends-la-opera-contract-through-2020-21/

The Los Angeles Opera will continue to have James Conlon as its music director through 2020-21. The announcement was made on Friday according to General Director Plácido Domingo. Conlon joined the company in 2006 and has conducted a whopping 314 performances with the company and 50 operas overall. His first was Verdi’s “La Traviata” and his latest will be Mozart’s {…}

On This Day, Special Features

On This Day – Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know About Puccini’s ‘Tosca’

https://operawire.com/on-this-day-surprising-facts-you-didnt-know-about-puccinis-tosca/

Puccini’s “Tosca” had its debut on Jan. 14, 1900. Since then it has been an instant classic, one of the staples of the operatic repertoire. All of the world’s greatest sopranos have taken their respective cracks at the role with Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, Leontyne Price and Eva Marton among some of the many popular exponents of the role. And {…}

On This Day, Special Features

On This Day: 5 Operas Juan Diego Florez Revived To The Repertoire

https://operawire.com/on-this-day-5-operas-juan-diego-florez-revived-to-the-repertoire-as-we-celebrate-his-birthday/

Juan Diego Florez is one of the most beloved tenors around the world. He has dominated the Bel Canto repertoire for years and his mastery of coloratura is unmeasured. For years the tenor has made an effort to revive works that are rarely performed or simply have been lost in the repertoire. These works have been given special treatment as {…}

News

Paris Opera 2016-17 Preview: Jonas Kaufmann Set For Triumphant Return in Wagner’s ‘Lohengrin’

https://operawire.com/paris-opera-2016-17-preview-jonas-kaufmann-set-for-triumphant-return-in-wagners-lohengrin/

The wait is over – Jonas Kaufmann will finally make his long-awaited return on Wednesday, Jan 18 in Wagner’s “Lohengrin” in Paris. The tenor has been sidelined since October after announcing that side effects from medication had caused a haematoma. After that he committed to remaining on vocal rest until his haematoma “completely subsided.” This forced him to cancel numerous {…}

Special Features

‘Don Carlo’ Or ‘Don Carlos’ – What is the Best Version of Verdi’s Titanic Masterwork?

https://operawire.com/don-carlo-or-don-carlos-what-is-the-best-version-of-verdis-titanic-masterwork/

Verdi’s “Don Carlo” makes its return to La Scala for the first time in decades in its five act version. For many this is the best version of the opera, but the bottom line is that there is no such thing as a real version of the opera with differing versions having different strengths. The work premiered in 1867. Heavy {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Childhood Sweetheart – Maria Katzarava’s Life-Long Love Affair With Opera [Exclusive]

https://operawire.com/childhood-sweetheart-maria-katzaravas-life-long-love-affair-with-opera-exclusive/

The union between an opera singer and his or her craft is a love story, many of which come in two variations. The first origin story is like most love stories, a chance encounter on their way into adulthood. Their first love was some other profession or dream that, like many first loves, never quite came to fruition. Such has {…}

Artist of the Week, News

Artist of the Week: Pretty Yende to Take New York Audiences By Storm in Two Productions

https://operawire.com/artist-of-the-week-pretty-yende-to-take-new-york-audiences-by-storm-in-two-productions/

Its rare to become an overnight sensation nowadays in the opera world. It takes years for some singers while others struggle to even get noticed and ink to obscurity. However, for Pretty Yende her career has taken a turn in places she least expected. This season the soprano is taking New York audiences by storm as she will sing two {…}

DVD and CD Releases, News

CD/DVD Releases -Week of Jan. 9: Renee Fleming Has The Perfect Way to Ring In The Year

https://operawire.com/cddvd-releases-week-of-jan-9-renee-fleming-has-the-perfect-way-to-ring-in-the-year/

After a week of no real releases, the Opera world is back in flux and this week will see a number of anticipated titles including DVDs and an album by Renee Fleming. Rene Fleming returns The People’s Diva is releasing her first solo album in three years. After taking a break from the studio Fleming is back with a unique {…}