On This Day: 5 Essential Recordings of Donizetti’s Masterpiece ‘Don Pasquale’

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On Jan.3, 1843 Donizetti’s comic masterpiece “Don Pasquale” made its premiere with immediate success. It immediately became part of the standard repertoire and a piece that was translated into French, and performed all over the world. Since its premiere the opera has been performed more than 700 times and has been recorded by many great artists. To celebrate the works {…}

News

Salzburg Festival Is Casting For Verdi’s ‘Aida’ Starring Anna Netrebko

https://operawire.com/salzburg-festival-is-casting-for-verdis-aida-starring-anna-netrebko/

Have you ever dreamed of joining Anna Netrebko on stage? The Salzburg Festival could make that a reality as it is currently casting supers for its new production of Verdi’s “Aida.” The festival is looking for athletic men from ages 20 to 60 and is holding auditions on Jan. 12 at 6 pm at the Karl Bohm auditorium. The supers are {…}

Special Features

17 Anticipated New Opera Productions to See in 2017

https://operawire.com/17-anticipated-new-opera-productions-to-see-in-2017/

This year is coming to a close and after having looked back at some of the milestones certain stars made this year, it is time to look at 2017. There is so much to look forward to as many of the greatest stars will take on new roles while other will reprise signature roles in new productions with star-studded casts. {…}

News

Anna Netrebko Presents New Tea Set in Vienna Charity Event

https://operawire.com/487-2/

On Dec. 13, Anna Netrebko held a gala evening in Vienna where she presented her author’s tea set “Aida” in collaboration with Imperial Porcelain. During the evening, a charity auction took place with a unique pre-series sample of the tea set as a lot. Featuring alternative colors, it is the only copy, completely hand-made, which sequence number is 0000. The money raised {…}

DVD and CD Reviews, Reviews

Manon Lescaut CD Review: Anna Netrebko & Yusif Eyvazov Deliver Puccini’s ‘Desperate Passion’ in Intelligent Performance

https://operawire.com/manon-lescaut-cd-review-anna-netrebko-yusif-eyvazov-deliver-puccinis-desperate-passion-in-intelligent-performance/

When Puccini set out to write his “Manon Lescaut,” the composer drew attention to his “feeling it like an Italian, with a desperate passion.” Though the comment came in the context of his comparing it with Massenet’s own interpretation of the work, that idea of desperation has certainly played into numerous readings of the work. A look at the catalogue {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Lidia Fridman on Her Wiener Staatsoper Debut, Donizetti, Verdi & Bel Canto

https://operawire.com/q-a-lidia-fridman-on-her-wiener-staatsoper-debut-donizetti-verdi-bel-canto/

(Credit: Natalia Mentugova) In 2019, Lidia Fridman had a major breakout when she jumped into a run of Donizetti’s “L’Ange de Nisida” at the Donizetti Opera Festival. It was an introduction to an artist with a major voice. Fast forward to 2025, Fridman has already performed at many major theaters as the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Müpa {…}

News

Ravenna Festival Announces 2025 Season

https://operawire.com/ravenna-festival-announces-2025-season/

The Ravenna Festival has announced its 2025 season. Here are the vocal performances for the season. Summer Season Riccardo Muti conducts selections from Verdi’s Nabucco, Macbeth, and I “I Lombardi alla prima crociata.” Davide Cavalli is the soloist. Performance Dates: June 1 & 2, 2025 The Tallis Scholars under Peter Phillips perform Palestrina and Arvo Pärt. Performance Date: June 1, {…}

News

Rosa Feola & Adam Smith Lead Washington National Opera’s ‘Roméo et Juliette’

https://operawire.com/rosa-feola-adam-smith-lead-washington-national-operas-romeo-et-juliette/

The Washington National Opera is set to present Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet,” between Nov. 4 and 18, 2023. The new production will be directed by one of the foremost Shakespeare directors, Simon Godwin, in his opera staging debut. Principal Conductor Evan Rogister will lead the work with Italian soprano Rosa Feola as Juliette and British tenor Adam Smith as Romeo. {…}

News

Chicago Symphony Reaches Tentative Agreement With Musicians

https://operawire.com/chicago-symphony-reaches-tentative-agreement-with-musicians/

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has agreed to a tentative three-year contract with its musicians union. According to the Associated Press, the orchestra said that the agreement was made before the contract expired on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. In a statement both sides said the deal “improves working conditions and wages for the musicians,” but terms of the tentative agreement will {…}

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On This Day: 5 Essential Recordings of Donizetti’s Masterpiece ‘Don Pasquale’

Salzburg Festival Is Casting For Verdi’s ‘Aida’ Starring Anna Netrebko

17 Anticipated New Opera Productions to See in 2017

Anna Netrebko Presents New Tea Set in Vienna Charity Event

Manon Lescaut CD Review: Anna Netrebko & Yusif Eyvazov Deliver Puccini’s ‘Desperate Passion’ in Intelligent Performance

Q & A: Lidia Fridman on Her Wiener Staatsoper Debut, Donizetti, Verdi & Bel Canto

Ravenna Festival Announces 2025 Season

Rosa Feola & Adam Smith Lead Washington National Opera’s ‘Roméo et Juliette’

Chicago Symphony Reaches Tentative Agreement With Musicians