Q & A: Roberto Alagna on ‘Al Capone,’ Singing With Aleksandra Kurzak & His Own Upcoming Projects

https://operawire.com/q-a-roberto-alagna-on-al-capone-singing-with-aleksandra-kurzak-his-own-upcoming-projects/

Roberto Alagna is a renowned French-Sicilian tenor whose career could grace a fairy tale novel. Considered to be the least talented in a large family of musicians, he nonetheless spent his youth busking around Paris cabarets, singing pop music accompanied with his guitar. But his passion, fired by Mario Lanza films, was opera and, largely self-taught, he pursued that dream. {…}

On This Day, Special Features

Why Do We love Mozart’s Papageno So Much?

https://operawire.com/why-do-we-love-mozarts-papageno-so-much/

(PC: Met Opera/ Marty Sohl) Happy April Fools from us at Opera Wire. This year, let’s take a look at what makes the crazy character Papageno from Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ so captivating. What makes us love him? And why do we root for him? Who is Papageno? This beloved bird man, who is scared by everything but courageous when {…}

Business, News

San Francisco Conservatory of Music Acquires Major Management Company

https://operawire.com/san-francisco-conservatory-of-music-acquires-major-management-company/

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SCFM) is set to acquire management company, Askonas Holt. It will now join the institution’s stable of companies including Opus 3 Artists and the classical label Pentatone. SCFM acquired Opus 3 Artists in October 2020 and Pentatone in May 2022. Per an official press statement, Askonas Holt Chief Executive Donagh Collins will take over {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Opéra National de Paris 2022-23 Review: Le Nozze di Figaro

https://operawire.com/opera-national-de-paris-2022-23-review-le-nozze-di-figaro/

(Credit: Charles Duprat / Opéra national de Paris) (This review is for performances on November 25 and 27) Netia Jones’ staging proves how much an ill-conceived mis-en-scene can affect the music, even when it is Mozart. In Portuguese, we say that Mozart’s music must be as a perfect and smooth as a rare pearl. There is even an adjective “perolado” {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Peter Mark Reflects on his Career & New Project ‘Opera Voice and Body Work’

https://operawire.com/q-a-peter-mark-reflects-on-his-career-new-project-opera-voice-and-body-work/

When he was 12-years-old, Peter Mark received a recording of “Aida” starring Renata Tebaldi. He was hooked. One year later, he got what he called “the chance of a lifetime.” He got to sing at the Old Met and was able to witness a number of singers from the golden age that would be major influences for the rest of {…}

News

Obituary: Walter Pierce Head Celebrity Series of Boston Dies on July 7, 2022

https://operawire.com/obituary-walter-pierce-head-celebrity-series-of-boston-dies-on-july-7-2022/

At the age of 91 the long-time head of the Celebrity Series of Boston, Walter Pierce passed away on July 7, 2022. Pierce served as an arts administrator and impresario in Boston for over 30 years. During his tenure at the Celebrity Series of Boston, he helped bring the organization to be one of the most enduring nonprofit arts organizations {…}

News

Anthony Roth Costanzo Receives Major Awards & Honors from Manhattan School of Music, The Mellon Foundation & the New York Historical Society

https://operawire.com/anthony-roth-costanzo-receives-major-awards-honors-from-manhattan-school-of-music-the-mellon-foundation-the-new-york-historical-society/

Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo has received several honors from major cultural institutions. The famed opera star was given an Honorary Doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music and he will be given the New-York Historical Society’s “History Makers Award” during a gala on Oct. 6, 2022, joining the likes of Dr. Anthony Fauci, Ken Burns, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hillary Clinton, and {…}

News

NZ Opera Receiving Hate Mail Over General Manager’s Views on Standard Repertoire

https://operawire.com/nz-opera-receiving-hate-mail-over-general-managers-views-on-standard-repertoire/

NZ Opera has taken serious flack—complete with hate mail—from New Zealand opera-goers for daring to veer away from the standard repertoire and providing a mix of classic and contemporary offerings. Proving true circus impresario P. T. Barnum’s dictum that “There’s no such thing as bad publicity,” the company’s ticket sales are thriving despite the dust-up. The opera currently causing the {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Metropolitan Opera 2021-22 Review: Rodelinda

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2021-22-review-rodelinda/

(Credit: Ken Howard) This is a review of the March 11th, 2022 performance, the Opening night of this production’s 3rd revival since 2004. “Rodelinda: Regina De’Longobardi” is old, nearly 300-years old, which is advanced in age even by operatic standards. That being said, following the rise of the early music movement of the 20th century, scholars and performers alike have {…}

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Q & A: Roberto Alagna on ‘Al Capone,’ Singing With Aleksandra Kurzak & His Own Upcoming Projects

Why Do We love Mozart’s Papageno So Much?

San Francisco Conservatory of Music Acquires Major Management Company

Opéra National de Paris 2022-23 Review: Le Nozze di Figaro

Q & A: Peter Mark Reflects on his Career & New Project ‘Opera Voice and Body Work’

Obituary: Walter Pierce Head Celebrity Series of Boston Dies on July 7, 2022

Anthony Roth Costanzo Receives Major Awards & Honors from Manhattan School of Music, The Mellon Foundation & the New York Historical Society

NZ Opera Receiving Hate Mail Over General Manager’s Views on Standard Repertoire

Metropolitan Opera 2021-22 Review: Rodelinda