Franco Zeffirelli To Direct A New ‘Rigoletto’ In Oman

https://operawire.com/franco-zeffirelli-to-direct-a-new-rigoletto-in-oman/

Franco Zeffirelli is set to direct a production of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” at the Royal Opera Muscat. The new production, scheduled for 2020, will be in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Oman and the 10th anniversary of the opera house. The production will mark Zeffirelli’s return to a Verdi opera that he has not directed since 1961 at Trieste and in {…}

News

Michelle Bradley & Will Liverman To Give Recital For George London Foundation

https://operawire.com/michelle-bradley-will-liverman-to-give-recital-for-george-london-foundation/

The George London Foundation is set to present soprano Michelle Bradley and baritone Will Liverman in recital. The concert, set for Dec. 2, 2018, will be at the Gilder Lehrman Hall of The Morgan Library & Museum, the same venue in which they both won George London Awards in 2017 at the foundation’s annual competition. Ken Noda will join them {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: María José Montiel On Her Return To The U.S. & Her Upcoming ‘La Gioconda’ At The Liceu

https://operawire.com/q-a-maria-jose-montiel-on-her-return-to-the-u-s-her-upcoming-la-gioconda-at-the-liceu/

It’s a big return for María José Montiel. The Spanish mezzo-soprano, who is recognized throughout Spain, has forged a career in opera, recitals, and concerts and has become one of the country’s most acclaimed classical singers of her generations. But rarely has she traversed the Atlantic to perform in the United States. Her last appearances in the States have been {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Niloufar Talebi on ‘Abraham in Flames’ & Being a Multi-Faceted Creator

https://operawire.com/q-a-niloufar-talebi-on-abraham-in-flame-being-a-multi-faceted-creator/

Niloufar Talebi is an author, award-winning translator, multi-disciplinary artist, and producer. She has received commissions from Carnegie Hall, Cal Performances, and the Atlanta Symphony, and her work has been featured at Stanford Live, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Kennedy Center, World Literature Today, PBS Frontline, ArteEast, Bidoun, Poetry International, Rattapalax, and Mother Jones Magazine. {…}

IndieOpera

New Amsterdam Opera To Perform ‘Herodiade’

https://operawire.com/new-amsterdam-opera-to-perform-herodiade/

The New Amsterdam Opera has announced that this Spring it will present Massenet’s “Herodiade.” The company announced via social media that the opera would be presented on May 10 at the Center at West Park and that a cast would be announced at a later point. This is the fourth opera that the company is offering since its inception in 2016. {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Hungarian State Opera 2018 Tour Review: Mario and the Magician & Bluebeard’s Castle

https://operawire.com/hungarian-state-opera-2018-tour-review-mario-and-the-magician-bluebeards-castle/

As the Hungarian State Opera continues its New York tour at Lincoln Center, the second night saw a double feature of performances from Hungarian composers: “Mario and the Magician” by Janos Vajda, and “Bluebeard’s Castle” by Bela Bartok. What followed was an enthralling showcase of the talents of the company, wherein the artists powerfully brought to life the methods, and {…}

DVD and CD Releases, News

CD / DVD Releases – Week of Nov. 5

https://operawire.com/cd-dvd-releases-week-of-nov-5/

Three exciting releases are set for this week. The first comes from one of the most exciting divas performing today while the other two come from recent acclaimed performances. One includes the final installment of the Ring Cycle. Here is what we recommend this weekend! Spirito Marina Rebeka releases her third solo album for the newly created label Prima Classic. The {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Wexford Festival Opera 2018 Review: La Fanciulla Del West

https://operawire.com/wexford-festival-opera-2018-review-la-fanciulla-del-west/

While the music of “La Fanciulla del West” would be difficult to mistake for anyone other than Puccini’s, the actual drama lacks the usual sacrificial or torturous death of the heroine, which characterizes his other famous operas. In fact, it is the woman who his cast in the role of savior, riding in to rescue the man she loves from {…}