March Madness Part 1: The Top Five Mad Scenes In Opera

https://operawire.com/march-madness-part-1-the-top-five-mad-scenes-in-opera/

It’s officially the month of March Madness and to celebrate the month which will see “Elektra” and “Lucia di Lammermoor” open at the Metropolitan Opera, OperaWire will be writing a weekly article on our favorite mad scenes, favorite interpretations of mad scenes and some of the most iconic performances of mad scenes. Lucia di Lammermoor-“Il Dolce Suono” Donizetti’s mad scene {…}

Reviews

San Francisco Opera 2017-18 Review – Turandot: Exquisite Nina Stemme, Leah Crocetto, Brian Jagde Lead Socially Relevant Interpretation of Puccini Masterwork

https://operawire.com/san-francisco-opera-2017-18-review-turandot-exquisite-nina-stemme-leah-crocetto-brian-jagde-lead-socially-relevant-interpretation-of-puccini-masterwork/

To wait for one whole act, plus a quarter of a second, just to glimpse the heroine, let alone hear her, is practically a crime. Especially, with all the talk. From the moment the curtain rises, what do we hear? Turandot, Turandot, Turandot. And so, where is she? On and on, troops of “the people” – boy chorus, various authorities {…}

News

Joyce DiDonato, Jonas Kaufmann & Matthias Goerne Among ECHO KLASSIK Award Winners

https://operawire.com/joyce-didonato-jonas-kaufmann-matthias-goerne-among-echo-klassik-award-winners/

The annual ECHO KLASSIK Awards have announced their 54 awards in 22 categories. This year’s coveted Female and Male singer of the year awards went to Joyce DiDonato and Matthias Goerne. Other winners included Jonas Kaufmann, whose album “Dolce Vita” topped the charts in terms of sales and will be honored in the category of “Bestseller of the Year 2017.” {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews, Prague Summer Nights

Q&A: Artistic Director John Nardolillo On Working With Young Singers & Mozart At Prague Summer Nights

https://operawire.com/qa-artistic-director-john-nardolillo-on-working-with-young-singers-mozart-at-prague-summer-nights/

The Prague Summer Nights is underway and OperaWire will be providing extensive coverage of the showcase. Produced by Classical Movements, the festival seeks to promote young artists with John Nardilillo as its artistic director and conductor. Nardolillo has appeared with numerous orchestras including the Seattle, San Francisco, Detroit, Atlanta, Dallas, National, Utah, Columbus, Oregon, Fort Worth, Alabama, North Carolina, Toledo, Vermont {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Royal Opera House Review 2016-17 – Otello: Jonas Kaufmann Cements His Legacy As One of History’s Great Otellos

https://operawire.com/royal-opera-house-review-2016-17-otello-jonas-kaufmann-cements-his-legacy-as-one-of-historys-great-otellos/

Jonas Kaufmann has been hailed as the greatest tenors alive and is one of the most exciting performers currently working today. So it was no surprise that he would one day take the iconic role of Verdi’s “Otello.” There were many doubters regarding his availability (or ability) to master the role, especially after many high-profile cancellations due to illness. However, {…}

On This Day, Special Features

The Brief Operatic Career of Conductor Rafael Kubelík

https://operawire.com/the-brief-operatic-career-of-conductor-rafael-kubelik/

Conductor Rafael Kubelík, born on June 29, 1914, is not often one of the names often associated with the operatic greats. And he never quite got the opportunity to build that legacy due to a number of mitigating circumstances with two of the great opera companies in the world. Here is a look at his career at those major companies. {…}

News

Weekend Preview – International (5/26-28): Anna Netrebko, John Chest, Roberto Alagna and Vittorio Grigolo Headline Acclaimed Productions

https://operawire.com/weekend-preview-international-526-28-anna-netrebko-john-chest-roberto-alagna-and-vittorio-grigolo-headline-acclaimed-productions/

Want some Anna Netrebko in your weekend? Want to see a rising new star who will be a major player in June at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition? Or simply looking for opera on your travels? Here is what is in store this weekend around the world. Austria The Vienna State Opera kicks off its weekend presenting {…}

Special Features

Metropolitan Opera 50th Anniversary Gala: 50 Iconic & Historic Moments From the New House

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-50th-anniversary-gala-50-iconic-historic-moments-from-the-new-house/

The Metropolitan Opera celebrates its 50th anniversary Sunday with a massive gala featuring the greatest stars in opera. The company, which moved to Lincoln Center in 1966, is among the most renowned opera institutions in the world, a place where the greatest of all singers commune on one of the biggest stages in one of the biggest theaters. A few {…}