Staatsoper Berlin 2017-18 Review – King Arthur: A Highly Imaginative Take on the Purcell Work

https://operawire.com/staatsoper-berlin-2017-18-review-king-arthur-a-highly-imaginative-take-on-the-purcell-work/

For many, King Arthur is Britain. Deep in the history and literature, he stands as an icon of Britain’s essence – heroic, brave, mighty, magnanimous – the pinnacle of the good, even if flawed as even the noblest are. Henry Purcell’s opera, a.k.a. semi-opera, “King Arthur,” set to English poet John Dryden’s libretto, incorporates some of these characteristics while it {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q&A: Pablo Heras-Casado On The Spanish Premiere Of ‘Die Soldaten’

https://operawire.com/qa-pablo-heras-casado-on-the-spanish-premiere-of-die-soldaten/

Madrid’s Teatro Real is set to present the first-ever performances of Bernd Alois Zimmermann’s “Die Soldaten” in Spain. The occasion will see Spanish conductor Pablo Heras-Casado, the theater’s Principal Guest Conductor, in the pit with a distinguished cast and Calixto Bieto directing. Zimmermann’s only opera is one of the most challenging and extraordinary pieces in the 20th-century and when Oper {…}

News

Portland Opera To Showcase John Frame’s Noted ‘Faust’ Production

https://operawire.com/portland-opera-to-showcase-john-frames-noted-faust-production/

The Portland Opera has announced that it will be showcasing the West Coast premiere of John Frame and Kevin Newbury’s “Faust” production. The showcase appeared at the Lyric Opera of Chicago earlier this season, with OperaWire’s Santosh Venkataraman noting “Frame’s unique concepts combine with glorious singing.” “This is one of the most unique and exciting projects I’ve ever worked on,” {…}

News

Long Beach Opera Announces Unique & Modern 2018-19 Season

https://operawire.com/long-beach-opera-announces-unique-modern-2018-19-season/

The Long Beach Opera has announced its 2018-19 season, which is also the company’s 40th anniversary season and the 20th of Artistic and General Director Andreas Mitisek. The season kicks off with “Three Tales by Beryl Korot & Steve Reich” on Nov. 3, 2018. The documentary video opera emphasizes three events of the 20th century – the Hindenburg explosion, the {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

New York Opera Fest 2018 Review – Tabula Rasa: Jarrar-Goodwin Team Transcends Genre with New Work

https://operawire.com/new-york-opera-fest-2018-review-tabula-rasa-goodwin-jarrar-team-transcends-genre-with-new-work/

As New York’s 2018 Opera Fest rolls along, audiences in the city have been able to enjoy works new and old as presented by over 20 opera companies. Weaving the old and new together is “Tabula Rasa,” a jazz-inspired opera by composer Felix Jarrar, librettist Bea Goodwin, and presented by the Cantanti Project. “Tabula Rasa” follows American artist Man Ray {…}

Opera Wiki

Composer Profile: Jules Massenet, The Chameleon Composer

https://operawire.com/composer-profile-jules-massenet-the-chameleon-composer/

Jules Massenet, born on May 12, 1842, is arguably the chameleon of all opera composers, his style evolving to suit the text rather than imposing a specific musical style to every work. This ability makes him, for many, the greatest French composer of opera to ever live. He studied under Ambroise Thomas in his youth, won the country’s top musical {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Kaufman Music Center’s Legendary Executive Director Lydia Kontos On Importance of Music & Opera Education, Working with Soprano Ailyn Pérez

https://operawire.com/q-a-kaufman-music-centers-legendary-executive-director-lydia-kontos-on-importance-of-music-opera-education-working-with-soprano-ailyn-perez/

We all know that the future of art in any country resides with the younger generations. Achieving that passing of the torch is far easier said than done and few embark fully on said commitment. Lydia Kontos, Executive Director of the Kaufman Music Center, is one such person who has made it her life to champion music education and develop {…}

News

Joyce DiDonato Says Goodbye To Cinderella

https://operawire.com/joyce-didonato-says-goodbye-to-cinderella/

Joyce DiDonato has announced that she will retire the role of “Cendrillon” in Massenet’s opera. The mezzo announced in an Instagram post that after 21 years with Cinderella she would be saying goodbye to the character. Massenet’s opera is the second Cinderella role she has performed at the Met and one of the two versions of character she has performed {…}

Opera Wiki

Opera Profile: Donizetti’s Popular Comedy ‘L’Elisir d’Amore’

https://operawire.com/opera-profile-donizettis-popular-comedy-lelisir-damore/

Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore,” which the exception of Rossini’s “Barbiere di Siviglia,” might be the most famous opera comedy of all time. The work, which premiered on May 12, 1832, was written in just six weeks and went on to be a runaway success for the ensuing decade. It was the most performed opera in Italy between 1838-48 and not much {…}

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Staatsoper Berlin 2017-18 Review – King Arthur: A Highly Imaginative Take on the Purcell Work

Q&A: Pablo Heras-Casado On The Spanish Premiere Of ‘Die Soldaten’

Portland Opera To Showcase John Frame’s Noted ‘Faust’ Production

Long Beach Opera Announces Unique & Modern 2018-19 Season

New York Opera Fest 2018 Review – Tabula Rasa: Jarrar-Goodwin Team Transcends Genre with New Work

Composer Profile: Jules Massenet, The Chameleon Composer

Q & A: Kaufman Music Center’s Legendary Executive Director Lydia Kontos On Importance of Music & Opera Education, Working with Soprano Ailyn Pérez

Joyce DiDonato Says Goodbye To Cinderella

Opera Profile: Donizetti’s Popular Comedy ‘L’Elisir d’Amore’