Operalia Competition Announces Semi-Finalists

https://operawire.com/operalia-competition-announces-semi-finalists-2/

The Operalia competition has announced the semi-finalists for its 2023 edition. Following two days of Quarterfinals, the competition selected 22 singers who will compete for a place in the opera finals and 12 singers who will compete in the Zarzuela finals. Here is the list: Semi-finalists Opera Semyon Antakov, baritone, Russia Nicolò Balducci, countertenor, Italy Gabrielle Beteag, mezzo-soprano, USA John {…}

News

Véronique Gens, Helen Charlston, Cyrille Dubois Among Major Gramophone Classical Music Award 2023 Winners

https://operawire.com/veronique-gens-helen-charlston-cyrille-dubois-among-major-gramophone-classical-music-award-2023-winners/

Photo credit: Colin Miller Winners of the Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2023 have been announced. This article only features winners of vocal-related works. Soprano Dame Felicity Lott took home the Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring her performance career and discography of more than 100 recordings. French soprano Véronique Gens was awarded Artist of the Year and the won the Voice and Ensemble {…}

News, Streaming

Joyce DiDonato to Give Master Classes at Carnegie Hall This October

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(Photo credit: Chris Singer) Joyce DiDonato is set to lead a series of public master classes at Carnegie Hall on Oct. 22-24, 2023. This year’s selected performers include soprano Jazmine Saunders, mezzo-soprano Karen Mathilde Heier Hovd, countertenor Agustín Pennino, and tenor Travon D. Walker. They will be accompanied by pianists Joel Harder and Justina Lee, who will also provide the artists with support and {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Salzburg Festival 2023 Review: Orfeo ed Euridice

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(Credit: Photo © SF/Bernd Uhlig) When Cecilia Bartoli enters the stage, all eyes are on her. The leading headliner in Salzburg has made herself a living legend. I know many music-lovers, of all ages, who have fallen in love with opera first and foremost because of Cecilia. Such talent has made legions of fans—myself included— to feel entitled to use {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Verbier Festival’s Founder Martin Engstroem on 30th Anniversary

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(Photo © Aline Paley) Thirty years ago, Martin Engstroem found himself in a place he had always dreamed of. During his formative years in music management, he dreamt of helping build the careers of up-and-coming artists and creating a unique experience. He is full of ideas and works alongside the biggest names in the classical music business, mainly conductors and {…}

News

Anna Netrebko & Juan Diego Flórez Lead Screenings at Film Festival am Wiener Rathausplatz

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The Wiener Staatsoper has announced that three operas will be presented as part of the Film Festival am Wiener Rathausplatz. The festival will first present Puccini’s “Tosca” from a 2020 recording. The legendary production by Margarethe Wallmann stars Anna Netrebko in the role of Tosca, Yusif Eyvazov as Cavaradossi, and Wolfgang Koch as Scarpia. Conducting the production is Bertrand de Billy. Presentation: July 5, 2023 {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Théâtre des Champs-Elysées 2022-23 Review: La Bohème

https://operawire.com/theatre-des-champs-elysees-2023-review-la-boheme/

(Credit: Vincent Pontet) Making “La Bohème” in Paris is a strenuous task. After Claus Guth’s unpopular sideral production, it became evident that the City of Light’s operagoers are not eager to see overly conceptual approaches to Puccini’s opera. However, no ambitious stage director will merely imitate one of the many Zeffirelli productions. This is why Theatre des Champs-Elysées brought out {…}

Special Features

Master At Work – Watching Joyce DiDonato Help Young Artists During Master Classes

https://operawire.com/master-at-work-watching-joyce-didonato-help-young-artists-during-master-classes/

(Photo Credit: Chris Lee) December 11, 2022, saw acclaimed mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato return to Carnegie Hall for a series of master classes with five emerging artists. Over the following three days, DiDonato and students worked on a variety of musical and dramatic techniques catered to each artist’s particular strengths and current place in their career, giving the audience an intimate {…}