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Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: ‘Being Wagner’ Author Simon Callow On Discovering the German Master Anew

https://operawire.com/q-a-being-wagner-author-simon-callow-on-discovering-the-german-master-anew/

Next to William Shakespeare, Richard Wagner is one of the most written about figures in human history. His enigmatic qualities coupled with his unquestionable genius make him someone who fascinates as much as he bewilders and antagonizes. Volumes have been written about the composer from virtually every conceivable angle, whether it be his family, his adventures, his psychology, his philosophy, {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

New York Philharmonic 2017-18 Review – Die Walküre: Jaap van Zweden & Soloists Deliver Sublime Rendition of Act One of Wagner Masterwork

https://operawire.com/new-york-philharmonic-2017-18-review-die-walkure-jaap-van-zweden-soloists-deliver-sublime-rendition-of-act-one-of-wagner-masterwork/

In 2018-19, Jaap van Zweden, the current Music Director Designate of the New York Philharmonic, will drop the Designate part of that label. And if the concert on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018 is any indication, he is going to be providing audiences with some dazzling music for years to come. In a series of concerts that kicked off on Valentine’s {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Cal Performances 2017 Review – Simon O’Neill Gives the Intimate & the Epic In Fine Evening

https://operawire.com/cal-performances-2017-review-simon-oneill-gives-the-intimate-the-epic-in-fine-evening/

From high up in the mountains; from a knoll, within a cave; from a curlicue within the cave, behind a rock; within two back to back rocks, down under the ground about two feet; behind a shelf of rock, jutting out from inside a dome of the oldest rocks in that cave and ancient concavities;  comes this voice, round, round {…}

On This Day, Special Features

The Sea As The Central Element in Verdi’s ‘Simon Boccanegra’

https://operawire.com/the-sea-as-the-central-element-in-verdis-simon-boccanegra/

“Simon Boccanegra” was one of Verdi’s most sublime operas and a prized creation for the composer. After suffering a brutal premiere back on March 12, 1857, the work was essentially left for dead, likely to never get a chance to firmly establish its place alongside many of Verdi’s other masterworks. But on March 24, 1881, the composer premiered another version {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Royal Ballet and Opera 2025-26 Review: Tosca (Cast B)

https://operawire.com/royal-ballet-and-opera-2025-26-review-tosca-cast-b/

(The Royal Opera ©2025 Marc Brenner) By the time I got to the Royal Opera and Ballet’s new production of “Tosca” at the end of September, most of the hubbub had died down. The protests around Netrebko’s performance had withered, and her performance was acclaimed – the diva triumphant in the face of politics. So too had dissolved important questions {…}

News

Russian Soprano Inara Kozlavskaya Set for International Debut in Teatro alla Scala’s ‘Nabucco’

https://operawire.com/russian-soprano-inara-kozlavskaya-set-for-international-debut-in-teatro-alla-scalas-nabucco/

(Photo by Victoria Chernysheva) Teatro alla Scala has announced the soprano set to perform the final three showcases of “Nabucco” next June. While Anna Netrebko will headline the first six shows from May 16-31, 2026, it will be Inara Kozlovskaya who ends the run with shows on June 4-9, 2026. Kozlovskaya has mainly performed in Russia at such venues as {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Royal Ballet & Opera 2025-26 Review: Tosca

https://operawire.com/royal-ballet-opera-2025-26-review-tosca/

(Credit: Marc Brenner) I’ve previously opined that Puccini’s Tosca is perhaps among the least plausible of tales in the repertory and that the problem with long-running or much revived productions is that, unless you can constantly attract new audiences, they can only stand the test of time for so long. This Oliver Mears’ exciting new production has the potential to {…}

News

Cast Change: Maria Jose Siri Replaces Marina Rebeka in ‘Aida’

https://operawire.com/cast-change-maria-jose-siri-replaces-marina-rebeka-in-aida/

(Crédit: Michele Monasta) The Arena di Verona has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Aida.” The company said that Marina Rebeka will no longer sing the August 24 & 28 performances. Instead, Maria Jose Siri will sing the title role on August 24. No soprano has been announced for the August 28 performance. Siri, who has been {…}