Best of 2022: OperaWire’s Top 11 Singers of 2022

https://operawire.com/best-of-2022-operawires-top-11-singers-of-2022/

After a bumpy 2021, which still had numerous COVID cancelations, 2022 saw opera companies almost return to normalcy. There were setbacks like cyberattacks, a war that has destroyed a country, and companies losing funds from government agencies. But in all, it also showed how opera companies could unite through benefit concerts and through sheer artistry. And after releasing our favorite {…}

News, Streaming

Christine Goerke, Karita Mattila, Susan Graham, Michael Fabiano Headline San Francisco Opera’s July Streams

https://operawire.com/christine-goerke-karita-mattila-susan-graham-michael-fabiano-headline-san-francisco-operas-july-streams/

San Francisco Opera has announced new streams for the month of July. The first stream will be a 2016 production of “Jenufa” starring Malin Byström in the title role alongside Karita Mattila, William Burden, and Scott Quinn. The production was directed by Oliver Tambosi with Jiří Bĕlohlávek conducting. Streaming Dates: July 10-11, 2021 Next up the company will stream a {…}

News

Luciano Pavarotti, Renée Fleming, Leona Mitchell, Shirley Verrett Headline Next Month of Metropolitan Opera Nightly Streams

https://operawire.com/luciano-pavarotti-renee-fleming-leona-mitchell-shirley-verett-headline-next-month-of-metropolitan-opera-nightly-streams/

The Metropolitan Opera has announced the next month of nightly streams which focus on a number of unique themes including operas in English, holiday works, and even an entire work dedicated to one of the most iconic artists of all time. Week 39– In Plain English Monday, December 7 – Thomas Adès’s The Tempest Starring Audrey Luna, Isabel Leonard, Iestyn Davies, Alek Shrader, {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Leo Nucci on COVID-19, His Return to the Stage & the Teatro alla Scala

https://operawire.com/q-a-leo-nucci-on-covid-19-his-return-to-the-stage-the-teatro-alla-scala/

Leo Nucci is one of the most famous baritones in the world. During his career, he has performed dozens of roles, but the one for which he is certainly most famous is that of Rigoletto. He has performed his signature role more than 500 times all over the world including Teatro alla Scala, Arena di Verona, Opernhaus Zurich, Teatro Regio {…}

News

Anthony Roth Costanzo, Missy Mazzoli, Nico Muhly Headline Works & Process’ Virtual Commissions

https://operawire.com/anthony-roth-costanzo-missy-mazzoli-nico-muhly-headline-works-process-virtual-commissions/

(Credit: Marylene Mey) Works & Process at the Guggenheim has announced that it will be granting $40,000 in commissioning funds to major artists that have featured in its programs over the years via Virtual Commissions. The aim of the Virtual Commissions program is for the artists to create new works, all less that five minutes in length, that will be {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Bass Zachary James on Auditioning for Philip Glass, ‘Akhnaten’ At the Met & Laying an Egg in ‘The Love for Three Oranges’

https://operawire.com/zachary-james-on-auditioning-for-philip-glass-his-upcoming-met-debut-in-akhnaten-and-laying-an-egg-in-the-love-for-three-oranges/

(Credit: Matt Madison-Clark) Be careful around Zachary James. In his role as the cook in Prokofiev’s madcap “Love for Three Oranges” with Opera Philadelphia, he wielded a lethal ladle. If you were a fan of ESPN’s show, “Great Outdoor Games” you may have seen him handling an ax as a lumberjack, promoting the show in a television commercial. The New {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Innsbruck Early Music Festival 2019 Review: Ottone

https://operawire.com/innsbruck-early-music-festival-2019-review-ottone/

(Photo:Rupert Larl) Each year Innsbruck’s Early Music Festival stages a Barockoper:Jung production in the inner courtyard of the theological faculty in the city’s university, devoted to showcasing the talents of younger singers, including selected finalists from the previous year’s Cesti competition. This year’s presentation was Handel’s 1719 opera, “Ottone.” The libretto, by Stefano Benedetto Pallavicino and adapted by Nicola Francesco {…}

Special Features

Best of 2018: 11 Singers Who Had A Year To Remember!

https://operawire.com/best-of-2018-11-singers-who-had-a-year-to-remember/

It’s that time of year during which we look back at the past 365-ish days and the big moments that defined them. Every year, the opera world has its share of rising and breakout stars as well as opera singers who solidify or take their careers in new directions. Others make important debuts or create roles that audiences would have {…}