Metropolitan Opera 2017-18 Season: The Operas We Are Most Excited For

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2017-18-season-the-productions-operas-we-are-most-excited-for-next-year/

Often when we react to a flood of news, like a new opera season, it is easy to dwell on some of the negatives, such as which of your favorites are now showing up or which operas got the boot for yet another season. But the beauty of a new season is ultimately the gems that we will get to {…}

Special Features

Valentine’s Day 2017: Let’s Look At Opera’s Most Disastrous Romances

https://operawire.com/valentines-day-2017-lets-look-at-operas-most-disastrous-romances/

It’s Valentine’s Day, a momentous occasion to celebrate love and romance. Romance is at the heart of opera with the art forms pull coming from our connection with beautiful love affairs. Most everyone melts at Rodolfo and Mimì’s blooming love in “La Bohème” or Alfredo and Violetta’s in “La Traviata.” We admire the sacrifice of Roméo and Juliette or even {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Dream Job – Robert Neu on Taking Over Artistic Directing Job at Skylark Opera Theatre, Carmen & Don Giovanni

https://operawire.com/dream-job-robert-neu-on-taking-over-artistic-directing-job-at-skylark-opera-theatre-carmen-don-giovanni/

Robert Neu was not expecting to be named the new artistic director of the Skylark Opera Theatre. But sure it was hard to not see it coming. The company announced the director’s new position as part of unveiling its new season, which will feature two new productions of opera staples. “Not only does Bob bring us extensive directing and production {…}

On This Day, Special Features

On This Day: Watch All of Mario Lanza’s Vocal Performances From His 8 Films

https://operawire.com/on-this-day-watch-all-of-mario-lanzas-vocal-performances-from-his-8-films/

Mario Lanza was born on Jan. 31, 1921, but unfortunately lived just 38 years, dying in 1959. Everyone knows who Lanza is. Regardless of whether you go to the opera or not, the matinee idol’s sunshine voice is among the most recognizable in the history of the 20th century music. Lanza’s great face and our memory of his voice really {…}

On This Day, Special Features

On This Day: The Interpreters of Verdi’s ‘Il Trovatore’ & Massenet’s ‘Manon’

https://operawire.com/on-this-day-the-interpreters-of-verdis-il-trovatore-massenets-manon/

I imagine that upon reading the title of this article, you were probably confused about the arbitrary pairing of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” and Massenet’s “Manon.” The former is an opera in the Bel Canto style, firmly looking backwards in both its subject matter and style while the latter is one of Manon and French opera’s more progressive operas. The former {…}

Special Features

‘Don Carlo’ Or ‘Don Carlos’ – What is the Best Version of Verdi’s Titanic Masterwork?

https://operawire.com/don-carlo-or-don-carlos-what-is-the-best-version-of-verdis-titanic-masterwork/

Verdi’s “Don Carlo” makes its return to La Scala for the first time in decades in its five act version. For many this is the best version of the opera, but the bottom line is that there is no such thing as a real version of the opera with differing versions having different strengths. The work premiered in 1867. Heavy {…}

On This Day, Special Features

On This Day: A Look at Operas That Grace Bumbry Sang As Both Soprano and Mezzo As She Celebrates Her 80th

https://operawire.com/on-this-day-a-look-at-operas-that-grace-bumbry-sang-both-soprano-and-mezzo-in-as-she-celebrates-her-80th/

On Jan. 4 Grace Bumbry will celebrate her 80th birthday. The mezzo soprano is recognized as one of the pioneers in the world of classical music who paved the way for future African-American opera and classical singers. The mezzo had the distinction of having a powerful and big voice that sang with commitment and intensity. She was also recognized for her agility and bel canto {…}

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 {…}

On This Day, Special Features

On This Day: 50 Facts About Piotr Beczala As He Turns 50

https://operawire.com/on-this-day-50-facts-about-piotr-beczala-as-he-turns-50/

Polish tenor Piotr Beczala was born on this day, December 28, exactly 50 years ago. In celebration of the tenor’s big day, Operawire shares 50 facts about the operatic superstar. Piotr Beczala was born on Dec. 28, 1966. He is from Czechowice-Dziedzice in southern Poland. He studied under Sena Jurinac in Switzerland. He is married to Katarzyna Beczała. Beczala is known for choosing his roles wisely {…}

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Metropolitan Opera 2017-18 Season: The Operas We Are Most Excited For

Valentine’s Day 2017: Let’s Look At Opera’s Most Disastrous Romances

Dream Job – Robert Neu on Taking Over Artistic Directing Job at Skylark Opera Theatre, Carmen & Don Giovanni

On This Day: Watch All of Mario Lanza’s Vocal Performances From His 8 Films

On This Day: The Interpreters of Verdi’s ‘Il Trovatore’ & Massenet’s ‘Manon’

‘Don Carlo’ Or ‘Don Carlos’ – What is the Best Version of Verdi’s Titanic Masterwork?

On This Day: A Look at Operas That Grace Bumbry Sang As Both Soprano and Mezzo As She Celebrates Her 80th

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

On This Day: 50 Facts About Piotr Beczala As He Turns 50