Q & A: Tenor Edgaras Montvidas on COVID-19, New Operas, & Picking the Right Repertory

https://operawire.com/q-a-tenor-edgaras-montvidas-on-covid-19-new-operas-picking-the-right-repertory/

Edgaras Montvidas, one of the most famous Lithuanian tenors, took 2020 as a bouquet of various experiences. Living in London since 2001 and working at the Covent Garden Opera House, he was a soloist at the Frankfurt Opera House between 2003-2006 and began last year’s season with his debut at the world premiere of Christian Jost’s “Egmont.” But what was {…}

Reviews, Video Productions

Irish National Opera 2020-21 Review: 20 Shots Of Opera

https://operawire.com/irish-national-opera-2020-21-review-20-shots-of-opera/

(Photo: Hugh O’Conor) With the closure of the theatres, opera companies have turned to streaming their productions. However, with all the goodwill in the world, they tend to fall into the category of second-hand, second-rate experiences. In fact, many would argue that watching an opera on the screen in the comfort of your own home does not work at all. {…}

DVD and CD Reviews, Reviews

CD Review: Tudor Queens

https://operawire.com/cd-review-tudor-queens/

Many times the final moments of a piece of art are the ones that leave the audience with the biggest impression. It may be the final image of a film or the final bars of a musical work. In the bel canto repertoire, the final impression is generally left by whether a singer hits a certain high note, be it {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Khori Dastoor on Opera San Jose’s ‘Three Decembers’ & the World of Opera Streaming

https://operawire.com/q-a-khori-dastoor-on-opera-san-joses-three-decembers-the-world-of-opera-streaming/

On Dec. 3, 2020, Opera San José will present an innovative fully staged production of Jake Heggie’s vibrant modern opera, “Three Decembers” via streaming. The production will include Maya Kherani, Efraín Solís, and Susan Graham and was filmed at Opera San José’s Heiman Digital Studio following all safety regulations. At the head of the production was General Director Khor Dastoor, {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Lise Davidsen On Her Big Breaks, Major Wagnerian Debut & COVID-19

https://operawire.com/q-a-lise-davidsen-on-her-big-breaks-major-wagnerian-debut-covid-19/

(Credit: Ray Burmiston/Decca Classics) “I hope that we will be more grateful for the fact that we get to do what we do, that we can sit next to each other in a concert hall and have some more respect for others when they’re not feeling great or are down. We need to come out of this pandemic more supportive {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Tête à Tête Festival 2020 Review: We Sing/I Sang

https://operawire.com/tete-a-tete-festival-2020-review-we-sing-i-sang/

The Tête à Tête festival in Marylebone’s Cockpit Theatre is the heart of experimental and fringe opera performance in London. Orchestras and companies have lately been rushing, since lockdown loosened, to be “first” to come back – first performance of a symphony to a live audience (Aurora Orchestra at the beginning of September); first performance of an opera in London {…}

Reviews, Video Productions

Metropolitan Opera Stars Live in Concert Review: Joyce DiDonato in Bochum, Germany

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-stars-live-in-concert-review-joyce-didonato-in-bochum-germany/

(Credit: Chris Singer) Only seven days before the COVID-19 pandemic fell on our heads, American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato was in New York portraying the role of Agrippina at the Metropolitan Opera House. Taking on the role of the cunning queen, DiDonato already had been in the eye of the storm. At that moment very few people really understood well what {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Mezzo-Soprano Katie Coventry on ‘Elektra’ in Salzburg, Her Inspirations, Being a Modern Opera Singer

https://operawire.com/q-a-mezzo-soprano-katie-coventry-on-elektra-in-salzburg-her-inspirations-being-a-modern-opera-singer/

(Credit: Doris Wild) Scottish mezzo-soprano Katie Coventry was facing what a lot of singers in the opera world have endured throughout 2020. As she sat in her apartment on lockdown waiting for some good news, she saw all of her professional engagements slowly disappear as the threat of COVID-19 continued to loom large. And then she got the call from {…}

Special Features

The Pandemic Prevention Plan That Enabled the Salzburg Festival’s 100th Edition to Take Place

https://operawire.com/the-pandemic-prevention-plan-that-enabled-the-salzburg-festivals-100th-edition-to-take-place/

Every year, the Salzburg Festival fascinates with its superhuman efforts to nurture the prosperous cultural life of the city. During the summer they organize and present to the public the full seasonal repertoire of the opera house, drama theater, and concert hall. This year, with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and the collapse of almost the entire world’s cultural {…}

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