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Reviews, Stage Reviews

Royal Ballet & Opera 2025–26 Review: The Makropulos Case

https://operawire.com/royal-ballet-opera-2025-26-review-the-makropulos-case/

(Photo: Camilla Greenwell) Pinching twitching nerves, Czech master Janáček’s angst-ridden “The Makropulos Case” warns of extra life. Lead role Emilia Marty’s present incarnation joins a palimpsest: Eugenia Montez, Ellian MacGregor, Ekaterina Myshkin, Else Müller and the titular Elina Makropulos. A magical elixir has sustained her for three centuries. Strife drives the aria-void work. Through strings unhinged, alarming accidentals and duplicitous {…}

News

Philharmonia Orchestra to Present ‘The Battle of the Sexes: Marin Alsop Conducts Balls’

https://operawire.com/philharmonia-orchestra-to-present-the-battle-of-the-sexes-marin-alsop-conducts-balls/

(Photo credit: Chris Christodoulou) Marin Alsop will lead the Philharmonia Orchestra in the UK premiere and world premiere performance of Karpman and Gail Collins’ “Balls” with a full orchestra. Mezzo-soprano Nikola Printz takes on the role of Billie Jean King with tenor Nicky Spence as Bobby Riggs. Lotte Betts Dean, Eve Pearson Maxwell, Oliver Barker, and Mia Serracino-Inglott are among {…}

News

Katie Mitchell Announces Retirement From Opera Due to Misogyny

https://operawire.com/katie-mitchell-announces-retirement-from-opera-due-to-misogyny/

Katie Mitchell has announced she is retiring from directing opera due to misogyny ahead of her upcoming production of Janáček’s “The Makropulos Case” at the Royal Opera. In an interview with the Times, the British director said, “I’m definitely bringing my work in opera to a close because of the misogyny. “The dissonance between doing feminist deconstructions and, sometimes, the {…}

News

Cast Change: Fleur Barron Joins Cast of ‘One Morning Turns Into Eternity’

https://operawire.com/cast-change-fleur-barron-joins-cast-of-one-morning-turns-into-eternity/

(Photo by Victoria Cadish) Salzburg Festival has announced a cast change for its production of “One Morning Turns Into An Eternity.” The company revealed that Wiebke Lehmkuhl has withdrawn from her participation in the production due to family reasons. In her place, Fleur Barron will sing the vocal part in Mahler’s “Der Abschied.” Barron is set to appear in the {…}

Interviews, News

Q & A: Mezzo-Soprano Samantha Hankey on Her Vocal Technique in the Role of Donna Elvira & Her Own Evolution as an Opera Singer

https://operawire.com/q-a-mezzo-soprano-samantha-hankey-on-her-vocal-technique-in-the-role-of-donna-elvira-her-own-evolution-as-an-opera-singer/

(Photo credit: Faymous) From the title role in “Carmen,” one of the most coveted mezzo roles, to Dorabella in “Cosi fan tutte,” a traditional soprano role, mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey sings it all. In her interview with OperaWire, Hankey discussed her nonconformist approach to repertoire and the technique behind her success. Hankey will be singing the role of Donna Elvira in {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Dutch National Opera 2024-25 Review: Die Frau Ohne Schatten

https://operawire.com/dutch-national-opera-2024-25-review-die-frau-ohne-schatten/

(Photo: Ruth Walz) Like other fairytales, Richard Strauss’ opera, “Die Frau ohne Shatten,” with its cast of human and supernatural beings, otherworldly locations and a magical plot, makes use of symbols and metaphor to carry deeper messages and thus opens itself up to a wide range of interpretations. Katie Mitchell, the director for Dutch National Opera’s recent production, certainly took {…}

News

Nicholas Mogg Receives 2025 Dr. Wilhelm Oberdörffer Prize

https://operawire.com/nicholas-mogg-receives-2025-dr-wilhelm-oberdorffer-prize/

(Photo from Nicholas Hogg’s Official Website) Nicholas Mogg has been awarded the 2025 Dr. Wilhelm Oberdörffer Prize. The baritone was given the accolade during an event hosted by the Staatsoper Hamburg on April 12, 2025. Mogg has been a member of the Staatsoper Hamburg Ensemble since 2022 and was previously a member of the International Opera Studio. He has performed {…}

News, Season Announcement

Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Diana Damrau, Michael Volle, Ludovic Tézier, Pretty Yende, Rolando Villazón, Federica Lombardi, Nicole Car, Freddie De Tommaso & Juan Diego Flórez Headline Wiener Staatsoper’s 2025-26 Season

https://operawire.com/anna-netrebko-jonas-kaufmann-diana-damrau-michael-volle-ludovic-tezier-pretty-yende-rolando-villazon-federica-lombardi-nicole-car-freddie-de-tommaso-juan-diego-florez-headline-wiener-staats/

The Wiener Staatsoper has announced its 2025-26 season. Here is a look at the operas and recitals for the new season. Premieres  Smetana’s “The Bartered Bride” will get a new production by Dirk Schmeding. The cast will be headed by Franz Xaver Schlecht, Margaret Plummer, Slávka Zámečníková, Ivo Stanchev, Monika Bohinec, Pavol Breslik, Michael Laurenz, Peter Kellner, Matthäus Schmidlechner, Ilia Staple, and Alex Ilvakhin. Tomáš Hanus conducts. A second cast will {…}

News, Season Announcement

Anna Netrebko, Freddie De Tommaso, Marina Rebeka, Bryn Terfel, Aigul Akhmetshina, Lisette Oropesa, Juan Diego Flórez & Pretty Yende Lead Royal Ballet & Opera’s 2025-26 Season

https://operawire.com/anna-netrebko-freddie-de-tommaso-marina-rebeka-bryn-terfel-aigul-akhmetshina-lisette-oropesa-juan-diego-florez-pretty-yende-lead-royal-ballet-operas-2025-26-season/

The Royal Ballet and Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. The season opens with Puccini’s “Tosca” in a new production by Oliver Mears. Anna Netrebko and Aleksandra Kurzak share the title role. Freddie De Tommaso and Gerald Finley also star. Performance Dates: Sept. 11-Oct. 7, 2025 Speranza Scappucci conducts Verdi’s “I vespri siciliani” in a revival of Stefan Herheim’s production. Marina {…}