Artist Profile: Dietrich Fisher-Dieskau, From War Prisoner To Greatest Lieder Singer of All Time

https://operawire.com/artist-profile-dietrich-fisher-dieskau-from-war-prisoner-to-greatest-lieder-singer-of-all-time/

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau was one of the most versatile musicians in the history of classical music. Born on May 28, 1925, he performed opera, lieder, and oratorio in a wide range of languages and in any article regarding his stature always describes him as one of the greatest of all time or most influential. In fact, per Classic CD’s 1999 poll, {…}

On This Day, Special Features

Ettore Bastianini, Cornell MacNeil, Pablo Elvira & 7 Baritone Roles They Shared

https://operawire.com/ettore-bastianini-cornell-macneil-pablo-elvira-7-baritone-roles-they-shared/

Ettore Bastianini, Pablo Elvira, and Cornell MacNeil share a birthday – September 24. Two of these men, MacNeil and Bastianini were born on the same exact day. All three were baritones, overlapping a ton of repertoire. Of the three, Elvira’s career is perhaps not quite up to the legendary status of the other two men, with Bastianini often crowned as {…}

Opera Meets Film, Special Features

Opera Meets Film: First Love & Heartbreak In ‘Atonement’ & ‘La Bohème’

https://operawire.com/opera-meets-film-first-love-heartbreak-in-atonement-la-boheme/

“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features Joe Wright’s incredible {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

A Tenor’s Progress – Paul Appleby on Developing His Understanding of Stravinsky’s ‘The Rake’s Progress’ & Being Part of Opera’s Future

https://operawire.com/a-tenors-progress-paul-appleby-on-developing-his-understanding-of-stravinskys-the-rakes-progress-being-part-of-operas-future/

A few years ago, tenor Paul Appleby made headlines for a potent and powerful showcase in Stravinsky’s “The Rake’s Progress.” Little did he know that that role debut would turn out to be a major calling card in his career. He is now heading into his third major production of the opera at the Festival Aix-en-Provence and is finding the {…}

Opera Wiki

Opera Profile: A Look at Leoncavallo’s ‘Pagliacci’

https://operawire.com/opera-profile-a-look-at-leoncavallos-pagliacci/

Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” has endured as a staple of the operatic canon since its premiere back on May 21, 1892. Leoncavallo was reportedly inspired to take on the work after seeing the success of Mascagni’s masterwork “Cavalleria Rusticana” and set out to write his own Verismo opera in one-act form. The result was a success that has often been associated with {…}

On This Day, Special Features

Herbert Von Karajan’s Historic Recordings of ‘Die Fledermaus’

https://operawire.com/herbert-von-karajans-historic-recordings-of-die-fledermaus/

Herbert Von Karajan is one of greatest musicians to ever live. Born on April 5, 1907, the famed conductor left a massive recorded legacy after a career that included prominent performances with the top orchestras in the world. While most would likely identify the Austrian maestro with the works of Beethoven or Tchaikovsky or Verdi or Wagner (among many others), {…}

News

Metropolitan Opera Preview 2016 -17: Diana Damrau & Vittorio Grigolo To Bring Chemistry to ‘Romeo et Juliette’

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-preview-2016-17-diana-damrau-vittorio-grigolo-to-bring-chemistry-to-romeo-et-juliette/

Gounod’s beloved “Romeo Juliette” returns to the Met on New Years Eve with a star cast that includes two singers that had electric chemistry in another great French work a few years ago. The Performers Diana Damrau and Vittorio were a dynamic duo when they took the stage for Massenet’s “Manon” back in March 2015. Their chemistry was revered by {…}

Special Features

Retrospective: Famous Sopranos to Take On Gounod’s ‘Romeo et Juliette’ At The Metropolitan Opera

https://operawire.com/retrospective-famous-sopranos-to-take-on-gounods-romeo-et-juliette-at-the-metropolitan-opera/

On Dec. 31 Diana Damrau will make her role debut as Juliette in Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette” in a special New Year’s Eve gala at the Metropolitan Opera. The occasion will also mark the premiere of Bartlett Sher’s acclaimed staging from the Salzburg Festival. With such a momentous occasion Operawire takes a look at past Juliettes who have graced the {…}