Festival d’Aix-En-Provence 2017 Review – The Rake’s Progress: An Imaginative Production & Solid Cast Lend Insightful Reading of Stravinsky’s Neo-Classic Masterwork

https://operawire.com/aix-en-provence-festival-2017-review-the-rakes-progress/

“The Rake’s Progress,” an opera in three acts and an epilogue by Igor Stravinsky, was one of the six operas performed at this year’s Festival International d’art Lyrique d’Aix-en-Provence. Although relatively modern, compared to the classical opera repertoire (it premiered on 11 April 1951), Simon McBurney’s visually striking and infinitely creative staging gives it an additional innovative edge. English actor, {…}

Pride Month, Special Features

Pride Month 2017: Remembering the Great LGBT Composers of the Past

https://operawire.com/pride-month-2017-remembering-the-great-lgbt-composers-of-the-past/

This week we continue our celebration of pride month. We’ve now looked at some of the most popular LGBT operas and commemorated Harvey Milk and Stonewall. Now OperaWire looks at some of the legendary composers in opera and classical music who were part of the LGBT community. Some of these composers were unfortunately never able to be open about their {…}

Special Features

Opera vs. Broadway: The Contrasting Styles of ‘Madama Butterfly’ & Its Revival As ‘Miss Saigon’

https://operawire.com/opera-vs-broadway-the-constrasting-styles-of-madama-butterfly-its-revival-as-miss-saigon/

In Collaboration with Francisco Salazar Inside the plainly named Broadway Theater, one of Broadway’s largest houses with 1,765 seats, a wall of wood scaffolding and wood poles obscures the stage in place of the would-be curtain. The screens of wooden slats bleed seamlessly into stairways patched with corrugated metal, extending beyond the proscenium. This apparent slum, which is lit with {…}

On This Day, Special Features

4 Roles Nadine Sierra Has Dominated In Her Young Career

https://operawire.com/4-roles-nadine-sierra-had-dominated-in-her-young-career/

Nadine Sierra is one of opera’s rising stars. The soprano, who turns 29 on May 14, 2017, has recently added the Richard Tucker award to a long list of major accomplishments. At such a young age, one can only expect more tremendous success to come. In just a short time she has already established herself in some of the greatest {…}

DVD and CD Reviews, Reviews

‘Das Lied Von Der Erde’ CD Review: Jonas Kaufmann & Jonathan Nott Breathe New Narrative Life Into Mahler’s Glorious Masterpiece

https://operawire.com/das-lied-von-der-erde-cd-review-jonas-kaufmann-jonathan-nott-breathe-new-narrative-life-into-mahlers-glorious-masterpiece/

In the last half century, Gustav Mahler has become arguably the most widely recorded composer in the world of classical music. His music is a deeply personal experience for the truest of Mahlerites, who while open to new interpretations, remain steadfast in their devotion to their all-time favorites. No two recordings of a Mahler work are anywhere close to similar. {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Metropolitan Opera 2016-17 Review – Roméo et Juliette: Emanuel Villaume Leads a Marvelous Pretty Yende And Striking Stephen Costello

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2016-17-review-romeo-et-juliette-emanuel-villaume-leads-a-marvelous-pretty-yende-and-striking-stephen-costello/

On New Year’s Eve, the Metropolitan Opera opened a new production of Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette.” The result was a mixed bag with two bright stars heading the cast. The production was a dreary classically fitted take that lacked clarity of vision and ultimately dragged the show. After a few months, the Met has revived the production with better results. {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Cathartic Trauma – How Susan Graham Overcame the Emotional Challenges of Performing ‘Dead Man Walking’

https://operawire.com/cathartic-trauma-how-susan-grahams-overcame-the-emotional-challenges-of-performing-dead-man-walking/

Overcoming a traumatic experience is an arduous task that really never goes away. It leaves its mark, the smallest stimulus bringing it back with greater potency. Artists don’t always have the luxury of running away from trauma. They not only have to portray it but live it time and time again. And in the case of opera singers, they might {…}

News

Royal Opera 2016-17 Preview: Angela Gheorghiu Returns as ‘Adriana Lecouvreur’

https://operawire.com/royal-opera-2016-17-preview-angela-gheorghiu-returns-as-adriana-lecouvreur/

The Royal Opera continues its 2016-17 season with the first revival of David McVicar’s 2010 production of Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur.” The opera will star Angela Gheorghiu, who created the production in 2010 and who has dominated the character for the past six years. Hrachuhi Bassenz will alternate with Gheorghiu in her Royal Opera debut. Brian Jagde will also star as {…}