Deutsche Grammophon Announces New Contract With Daniel Barenboim

https://operawire.com/deutsche-grammophon-announces-new-contract-with-daniel-barenboim/

Deutsche Grammophon has announced that conductor Daniel Barenboim has signed a new and exclusive contract with the company. The new partnership will include work with the Staatskapelle Berlin, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, the Boulez Ensemble, and members of the Barenboim-Said Akademie. Many of his recordings will be made in the flexible space of the Boulez Saal, home to the Barenboim-Said Akademie, {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Opera di Firenze 2017-18 Review – La Favorite: Sublime Cast Led By Fabio Luisi Salvages Dull Production

https://operawire.com/opera-di-firenze-2017-18-review-la-favorite-sublime-cast-led-by-fabio-luisi-salvages-dull-production/

Donizetti’s opera “La Favorite,” originally written in French for the L’Opera, Paris, was quickly translated into Italian, and soon became the preferred version. However, in the last quarter of the 20th century this trend was reversed and today it is the French version that is more widely performed, and for the first time, Florence’s Teatro Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has decided {…}

News

The 4 Major Takeaways From Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2018-19 Season Announcement

https://operawire.com/the-4-major-takeaways-from-lyric-opera-of-chicagos-2018-19-season-announcement/

Lyric Opera of Chicago announced its 2018-19 season today, marking the fourth planned together by general director Anthony Freud and music director Sir Andrew Davis. Members of the media, including this OperaWire writer, were treated to a discussion with both gentlemen on the stage with the set of “I Puritani” in the backdrop. Here are some notes and highlights of {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Houston Grand Opera 2017-18 Review – The Barber of Seville: Laughs Not Up To Par In Uneven Production

https://operawire.com/houston-grand-opera-2017-18-review-the-barber-of-seville-laughs-not-up-to-par-in-uneven-production/

Gioachino Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” has always been the gold standard for Italian opera buffa as it is based on the Figaro plays of 18th-century French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais. It seems that the buffa-style laughs and gags endemic to this masterpiece were not enough for Spanish director Joan Font, whose version is currently running at Houston Grand Opera. What {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Palazzetto Bru Zane 2017-18 Review – Le Tribut de Zamora: Gounod Bicentennial Year Off to a Great Start in Munich

https://operawire.com/palazzetto-bru-zane-2017-18-review-le-tribut-de-zamora-gounod-bicentennial-year-off-to-a-great-start-in-munich/

Charles Gounod (1818-1893) is probably best known for his opera “Faust” or perennial arrangement of Bach’s “Ave Maria,” which countless choir boys have crooned with cherubic innocence if not perfect intonation. In fact the pious Parisian composer was extraordinarily prolific having written twelve and a half operas (“Maître Pierre” was not completed), six oratorios, three ballets and countless masses, motets and {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Croatian National Opera 2017-18 Review – Der Fliegende Holländer: Great Musicianship & Artistry Salvage Shipwreck of a Production

https://operawire.com/croatian-national-opera-2017-18-review-der-fliegende-hollander-great-musicianship-artistry-salvages-shipwreck-of-a-production/

Many directors who dabble in the lyric theatre seem to think that they know better than the librettist or composer what an opera is about. “Improvements” can range from the introduction of a new character into the drama (eg. Mariusz Treliński’s ubiquitous “Mr. O” in “Yevgeny Onegin” for the Teatr Wielki in Warsaw) to scrawling a specific word onto the {…}

Special Features

In Memoriam 2017: Remembering the Major Opera Singers That Passed This Year

https://operawire.com/in-memorium-2017-remembering-the-major-opera-singers-that-passed-this-year/

For many, 2017 was a year to celebrate with many triumphs. It was also a tough year for arts institutions fighting sexual harassment scandals and numerous political issues. And it was also a year that saw many beloved artists and celebrities’ lives come to an end. The opera world was particularly devastated by the loss of many major stars, some of {…}

Special Features

The 5 Performances From 2017 I Will Remember the Most

https://operawire.com/the-5-performances-from-2017-i-will-remember-the-most/

It’s popular to make year-end lists, and I saw between 30-35 performances during the calendar year. Much of what I saw was terrific and, of course, there were many more outstanding performances that I didn’t see. These are the five that I will remember the most from what I saw; they are not necessarily the best but will remain in {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Manhattan School of Music 2017-18 Review – Cendrillon: The Best Way to Get Into Holiday Spirit

https://operawire.com/manhattan-school-of-music-2017-18-review-cendrillon/

As Manhattanites anxiously awaited the arrival of this Holiday season’s first snow, everyone seemed to buzz with excitement and wonder. This magical contagion was carried into the opening night of Manhattan School of Music’s production of “Cendrillon.” Everyone gathered in an intimate Baroque style setting at the Alliance Française’s Florence Gould Hall, and it only felt natural to partake in {…}

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Deutsche Grammophon Announces New Contract With Daniel Barenboim

Opera di Firenze 2017-18 Review – La Favorite: Sublime Cast Led By Fabio Luisi Salvages Dull Production

The 4 Major Takeaways From Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2018-19 Season Announcement

Houston Grand Opera 2017-18 Review – The Barber of Seville: Laughs Not Up To Par In Uneven Production

Palazzetto Bru Zane 2017-18 Review – Le Tribut de Zamora: Gounod Bicentennial Year Off to a Great Start in Munich

Croatian National Opera 2017-18 Review – Der Fliegende Holländer: Great Musicianship & Artistry Salvage Shipwreck of a Production

In Memoriam 2017: Remembering the Major Opera Singers That Passed This Year

The 5 Performances From 2017 I Will Remember the Most

Manhattan School of Music 2017-18 Review – Cendrillon: The Best Way to Get Into Holiday Spirit