Jonas Kaufmann, Elīna Garanča & Philippe Jaroussky Headline Théâtre Champs-Élysée’s 2019-20 Season

https://operawire.com/jonas-kaufmann-elina-garanca-philippe-jaroussky-headline-theatre-champs-elysees-2019-20-season/

The Théâtre Champs-Élysée has announced its 2019-20 season featuring five opera productions, numerous concert performances, operas in concerts, a Beethoven celebration and a number of recitals. For this season announcement we have narrowed it down to only vocal or operatic performances. Here is a look at the massive season. Deborah Cohen directs a new production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” with {…}

News

Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko & Plácido Domingo Headline Bayerische Staatsoper’s 2019-20 Season

https://operawire.com/jonas-kaufmann-anna-netrebko-placido-domingo-headline-bayerische-staatsopers-2019-20-season/

The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2019-20 season, which is undeniably one of the biggest there is. It includes eight new productions to go along with a plethora of revivals. New Productions Jonas Kaufmann and Marlis Petersen headline a new production of Korngold’s “Die Tote Stadt” with Simon Stone directing. Kirill Petrenko conducts the production which also stars Andrzej Filonczyk, Jennifer Johnston, {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Tenor Levy Sekgapane On Performing Bel Canto Repertoire, His Idol, & Plácido Domingo

https://operawire.com/q-a-tenor-levy-sekgapane-on-performing-bel-canto-repertoire-his-idol-placido-domingo/

Since tenor Levy Sekgapane won Operalia in 2017, he has been in great demand and with every subsequent performance he is quickly establishing himself as one of the best of his generation. It is no surprise that 2018 has been big year for Sekgapane as he has made major debuts in European stages from Baltic states to the U.K. and {…}

DVD and CD Releases, News

5 DVDs & 5 CDs We Recommend For Your Black Friday Shopping

https://operawire.com/5-dvds-5-cds-we-recommend-for-your-black-friday-shopping/

The holiday season is officially underway. For many, that means going out and buying a plethora of gifts for loved ones. But what about that opera lover in your life? What do you buy him or her? There’s a ton to choose from and this year featured a plethora of amazing recordings to choose from. So to give you a {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Interview: Legendary Tenor Luigi Alva On His Major Career Moments & Maria Callas

https://operawire.com/interview-legendary-tenor-luigi-alva-on-his-major-career-moments-maria-callas/

He has sung in practically every major opera house in the world. Specializing in the roles of Rossini, Mozart, and Donizetti, his career at the Metropolitan alone has garnished over one hundred performances from his debut in 1964 until his last performance there in 1975. Working with the major singers of this period, including a favorite, Maria Callas, he sang {…}

Opera Wiki

Composer Profile: Vincenzo Bellini, Bel Canto Master Of Fluid Melody

https://operawire.com/composer-profile-vincenzo-bellini-bel-canto-master-of-fluid-melody/

Vincenzo Bellini is one of the most famous composers of the bel canto era. Born on Nov. 3, 1801, the composer would become well-known for his expansive melodies that would become the inspiration for many Italian composers thereafter. His first opera was “Adelson e Salvini,” which had its premiere in February of 1825 at the Teatro del Conservatorio di San {…}

IndieOpera

SWARMIUS To Present ‘El Colibrí Magicó’

https://operawire.com/swarmius-to-present-el-colibri-magico/

On Nov. 9, 2018, The Cutting Room is set to present SWARMIUS Meets Opera II. The event will showcase selections from “El Colibrí Magicó (The Magic Hummingbird) – A California Story,” a magical realistic opera set in modern-day San Diego & Tijuana. Invoking the angst of Bernstein’s “West Side Story,” “El Colibrí Magicó” tells the story of three upper middle {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Teatro alla Scala 2018-19 Review: La Finta Giardiniera

https://operawire.com/la-scala-2018-19-review-la-finta-giardiniera/

In 1790 the Burgtheater in Vienna premiered “Così Fan Tutte,” Mozart’s well-known and regularly performed masterpiece about the fickleness of the human heart. Yet, 15 years earlier, aged only 18, Mozart wrote “La Finta Giardiniera,” another opera buffa which also tackled the theme of love, albeit from a different angle, focusing this time on the madness which love’s unrestrained passions {…}