Opera Quiz: How Well Do You Know the Met Opera’s History of Major Premieres?

https://operawire.com/opera-quiz-how-well-do-you-know-the-met-operas-history-of-major-premieres/

On Friday, the Metropolitan Opera showcased the United States premiere of “Marnie.” This is but the latest in a lengthy history of major premieres for the company, so we thought that we would take a look back at some of those notable moments and operas. How well do you know of the Met’s history of premieres? We hope that after {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Interview: Maestro Jorge Parodi On ‘Maria de Buenos Aires’ in NYC

https://operawire.com/interview-maestro-jorge-parodi-on-maria-de-buenos-aires-in-nyc/

When conductor Jorge Parodi was a young man growing up in Argentina, he often heard a melody played as an introduction to a television series. “I never imagined it was from an opera,” he told OperaWire in a recent interview. Everyone knew that the tango melody was by Piazzolla, but it never occurred to him that the tango melody might {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Elīna Garanča On Dalila, Her Role Debut As Didon & Her New Roles

https://operawire.com/q-a-elina-garanca-on-dalila-her-role-debut-as-didon-her-new-roles/

Elīna Garanča is, for many, THE mezzo-soprano of this generation. With her movie star looks and acting chops to match. she has performed at all the major theaters, showcased an extensive array of repertoire and recorded award-winning albums. She has made a specialty of lyric mezzo roles such as Octavian in “Der Rosenkavalier” or the title role in “Carmen,” but {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Gewandhausorchester Leipzig 2018-19 Review: The Autumn Tour

https://operawire.com/gewandhausorchester-leipzig-2018-19-review-the-autumn-tour/

Since Andris Nelsons became the 21st Gewandhauskapellmeister of the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig in February 2018, he has started to plan a European tour to represent this great collaboration with the orchestra. This tour features appearances in London, in Frankfurt, Mannheim, and Dortmund in Germany, in Malmo and Stockholm in Sweden, as well as in Nelsons’ homeland, Latvia — in Riga and in {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Meili Li On His Experience Creating The Title Role In The Immersive Opera ‘Orfeo’

https://operawire.com/q-a-meili-li-on-his-experience-creating-the-title-role-in-the-immersive-opera-orfeo/

When Meili Li completed his studies at the Royal Academy of Music, he became the first Chinese counter‐tenor to have received a conservatoire education. Since completing his studies, Li has gone on to perform a wide range of repertoire that includes Renaissance lute songs and vocal ensemble music to 20th and 21st-century contemporary operas and songs. He has also become one {…}

DVD and CD Reviews, Reviews

CD Review: Giulio Cesare: Baroque Hero

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“Giulio Cesare: A Baroque Hero” is the latest CD from the highly talented Italian countertenor Raffaele Pè, who over recent years has been building up a considerable international reputation as an interpreter of the baroque repertoire. This recording is a compilation of arias from 18th-century operas, written by a number of different composers, for the character of Giulio Cesare. Certainly, {…}

News

Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – International (10/19-21)

https://operawire.com/top-5-operas-to-see-this-weekend-international-10-19-21/

It’s another week of discovery for OperaWire. Instead of the classic gems of the repertoire, this week we have opted to concentrate on companies presenting rare works as well as modern classics and a world premiere. Here is a look! Orfeo – Beijing Music Festival, China Fay Jueen Wang and Zou Shuang’s new immersive opera makes its world premiere in a {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Fay Kueen Wang On ‘Orfeo’ & The Beijing Music Festival

https://operawire.com/q-a-fay-kueen-wang-on-orfeo-the-beijing-music-festival/

Composer and performer Fay Kueen Wang’s is a multi-faceted performer who has drawn inspiration from avant-garde concert music, theater, film, electronic music, Chinese folk music, and indie pop, garnering rave reviews along the way. She has performed across China, Europe, and the United States in such prestigious venues as the Berliner Philharmonie, Lincoln Center, Arnold Schoenberg Center, Musikverein, Oper Graz, Merkin Hall, Joseph {…}