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Reviews

Donizetti Opera Festival 2024 Review: Zoraida di Granata

https://operawire.com/donizetti-opera-festival-2024-review-zoraida-di-granata/

(Photo: Gianfranco Rota) An early gem by Donizetti is reborn as part of the #donizetti200 project during the Donizetti Opera Festival’s tenth anniversary. This festival reaffirmed its commitment to recovering lesser-known works from the Bergamo composer’s catalogue, presenting this year the second version of “Zoraida di Granata.” Originally premiered in 1822 and revised by Donizetti himself in 1824, this opera {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Metropolitan Opera 2024-25 Review: Die Frau Ohne Schatten

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2024-25-review-die-frau-ohne-schatten/

For the first time in 11 years, the Metropolitan Opera has revived what I consider to be one of its greatest productions in my lifetime. Herbert Wernicke’s production of “Die Frau ohne Schatten” is simply one of the most sublime marriages of stage direction and opera in recent Met history. First off, it’s a challenging piece, not only musically, but {…}

Special Features

Met Opera General Manager Peter Gelb Takes Another Shot at Critics in NY Times Editorial on Making Opera New Again

https://operawire.com/met-opera-general-manager-peter-gelb-takes-shot-at-critics-again-new-ny-times-editorial-on-making-opera-new-again/

(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera) “After 18 years running the Met, and a lifetime of experience in classical music and opera, it’s clear to me that the solution to sustaining opera is through artistic reinvention, both with new operas by living composers, and reimagined productions of classics that can resonate with audiences of today.” So writes Met Opera General {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Metropolitan Opera 2024-25 Review: Ainadamar

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2024-25-review-ainadamar/

(Photo: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) In recent years, it has become that contemporary opera has an identity issue. In a world where musical theater and cinema / television dominate the entertainment landscape (not to mention video games), contemporary opera has seemingly done its utmost to match these works in breadth and scope. The problem is, opera has always had {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Bayreuth Baroque Opera Festival 2024: Ifigenia in Aulide

https://operawire.com/bayreuth-baroque-opera-festival-2024-ifigenia-in-aulide/

(Photo credit: Photos: Clemens Manser/Falk von Traubenber) As an opera composer Nicola Antonio Porpora gained advantage over his rivals by tailoring his works to the singers’ voices, and he gained popularity among singers because he was a well-known voice teacher. Even today, when experiencing Porpora’s opera “Ifigenia in Aulide” at Bayreuth’s Baroque Opera Festival, one cannot ignore the skill with {…}

News

Opera Philadelphia Among Grantees From Pew Center for Arts & Heritage

https://operawire.com/opera-philadelphia-among-grantees-from-pew-center-for-arts-heritage/

Opera Philadelphia and the Crossing are among the grantees from the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. The grants awarded a total $10.2 million to 39 Philadelphia-area cultural organizations and artists, including $3.5 million to help ensure the future of several of the most prominent institutions in the city and $1 million in unrestricted fellowships to 12 local artists. The {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Boston Lyric Opera 2024 Review: Mitridate

https://operawire.com/boston-lyric-opera-2024-review-mitridate/

(Photo credit: Nile Scott Studios) What can one expect from an opera that the one and only Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed when he was a mere fourteen years young? It is impressive considering the age of its composer and disappointing if we bear in mind what came next—like listening to Wagner’s “Die Feen,” Verdi’s “I Due Foscari” or even Puccini’s {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Göteborg Opera Artistic Director Henning Ruhe On What It Takes to Bring Opera Forward 

https://operawire.com/q-a-goteborg-opera-artistic-director-henning-ruhe-on-what-it-takes-to-bring-opera-forward/

(Photo credit: Tilo Stengel) Göteborg Opera won the award for Sustainability at the International Opera Awards 2022 Gala at Teatro Real in Madrid. Artistic Director for Opera/Drama, Henning Ruhe, makes his role a leading example by honoring ecological sustainability and collaborates with other opera house to make a positive difference along the way. This company celebrates its 30th year anniversary {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

San Francisco Opera 2024-25 Review: Un Ballo in Maschera

https://operawire.com/san-francisco-opera-2024-25-review-un-ballo-in-maschera/

(Photo by Cory Weaver) Festivities galore flooded the San Francisco’s Civic Center Friday night – Opera Ball, Opera Dinner, and the opera itself, Verdi’s, “Un Ballo in Maschera.” Opening night at San Francisco Opera sparkled with taffeta gowns and tux, platform heels and feathers, jewelry glittering up and down arms and nifty bowties. In honor of the entitled opera and {…}