Q & A: Aprile Millo On Her London Debut & Her Return To ‘Adriana Lecouvreur’

https://operawire.com/q-a-aprile-millo-on-her-london-debut-her-return-to-adriana-lecouvreur/

Newsday once described Aprile Millo as “the high priestess of that old time operatic religion.” Indeed, Millo is still one of the few remaining divas of the past who continues to thrill audiences with her passionate and intense voice and whose sheer honesty continues to bring audiences back to a different time in the opera chronology. A huge exponent of {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Carmela Remigio On ‘Rinaldo,’ Martina Franca & Luciano Pavarotti

https://operawire.com/q-a-carmela-remigio-on-rinaldo-martina-franca-luciano-pavarotti/

OperaWire was lucky enough to catch up with the wonderfully talented soprano Carmela Remigio, during the Festival della Valle d’Itria in Martina Franca, where she sang Armida in Handel’s “Rinaldo.” Known as “Madame Mozart” in Italy, owing to her close association with Mozart’s operas, and especially “Don Giovanni,” her repertoire is, in fact, far wider. In 2019, she is scheduled {…}

DVD and CD Releases, News

CD / DVD Releases – Week of August 6

https://operawire.com/cd-dvd-releases-week-of-august-6/

This week get will see two classic performances released as well as a rarely performed opera get a new DVD. There will also be a solo album by one of today’s rising bass-baritones. Here is a look at what’s in store. Cendrillon Naxos is releasing a new version of Massenet’s rarely performed work from the Theater Freiberg. Kim-Lillian Strebel takes {…}

Artist of the Week, News

Artist Of The Week: Levy Sekgapane

https://operawire.com/artist-of-the-week-levy-sekgapane/

The Rossini Opera Festival opens this week and while Juan Diego Florez, Pretty Yende, and Lisette Oropesa are sure to make a splash, there is one tenor that is likely to make headlines – Levy Sekgapane. After winning the Operalia Competition in 2017, the tenor’s status has grown rapidly, performing leading roles in Munich, Barcelona, Riga, and Paris alongside some {…}

News

Michael Spyres Cancels At Chorégies d’Orange

https://operawire.com/michael-spyres-cancels-at-choregies-dorange/

Michael Spyres has canceled his participation in Chorégies d’Orange’s upcoming production of Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.” The festival announced that due to health reason Spyres would not be able to sing the role of Count Almaviva on July 31 and August 4. As a result, Ioan Hotea, will replace the tenor. The Romanian tenor won the first prize in the {…}

DVD and CD Releases, News

CD / DVD Releases – Week of July 18

https://operawire.com/cd-dvd-releases-week-of-july-18/

Two new releases will hit the marketplace this week, including a rarely performed Bel canto gem and Wagner comic masterpiece. Here is a look at what audiences can look forward to. Maria di Rudenz Donizetti’s rarely performed work gets a new recording by Bongiovanni. The new release comes from the Bergamo Festival and stars Maria Billeri, Ivan Magri, and Dario {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Interview: Nadine Sierra In Full Bloom

https://operawire.com/nadine_sierra_interview/

Soprano Nadine Sierra is having a 2018 to remember. The Florida-born artist, who turned 30 this past May, recently announced her first-ever solo album, is performing at the top theaters on the planet, has been garnering a plethora of accolades, and is set to perform in the opening night gala of the Festival Napa Valley, a leading performing arts organization that {…}

News

Pretty Yende Replaces Diana Damrau In Munich’s ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’

https://operawire.com/pretty-yende-replaces-diana-damrau-in-munichs-lucia-di-lammermoor/

Diana Damrau has canceled her performances of Donizetti’s ‘Lucia di Lammermoor” at the Bayerische Staatsoper in 2018-19. The soprano, who was originally scheduled to sing the title role when the 2018-19 season was announced has canceled all engagements of the title role, per her website. As a result, Pretty Yende will take over the performances which are scheduled for June {…}