An Indomitable Force – Mezzo-Soprano Annalisa Stroppa on Playing ‘Carmen’ & Rosina in ‘Il Barbiere Di Siviglia

https://operawire.com/an-indomitable-force-mezzo-soprano-annalisa-stroppa-on-playing-carmen-rosina-in-il-barbiere-di-siviglia/

When she was a young girl, mezzo-soprano Annalisa Stroppa would come home from school to a healthy diet of “The Three Tenors” and Mario del Monaco. Her grandparents idolized these artists and quickly impregnated their granddaughter with an unshakeable passion for opera. “That’s when I discovered I had a special voice and from then on, there was no one stopping {…}

Artist of the Week, News

Artist Of The Week: Hibla Gerzmava Brings ‘Anna Bolena’ To Life At La Scala

https://operawire.com/artist-of-the-week-hibla-gerzmava-brings-anna-bolena-to-life-at-la-scala/

Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena” returns to the stage of the Teatro alla Scala after an absence of 35 years and with it comes a new leading lady, Hibla Gerzmava. Gerzmava, who has become an international star, is making a role debut in one of Bel Canto most demanding operas. Gerzmava has sung many Bel Canto roles by Donizetti including “Lucia di Lammermoor” {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

The Luckiest Man Alive – 100-Year-Old Anton Coppola Looks Back On His Career & Writing a New Ending for ‘Turandot’

https://operawire.com/the-luckiest-man-alive-100-year-old-anton-coppola-looks-back-on-his-career-writing-a-new-ending-for-turandot/

Anton Coppola is the luckiest guy in the world. At least that is how he views the life he has led and continues to lead. The maestro, born on March 21, 1917, and who determined his given career path during the first decade of his existence, is slated for “one last hurrah” when he conducts a final concert on March {…}

Reviews

Broadway Finds It’s Countertenor in Downtown Cabaret

https://operawire.com/broadway-finds-its-countertenor-in-downtown-cabaret/

This Post is for the performance on March 18, 2017. For audiences expecting a normal night out to see cabaret sung by the usual voice types, this was no such night. The SubCulture, an underground performance venue near the East Village, was presenting an evening of musical theater composer, Jason Robert Brown (Tony-award winning composer of Parade and Bridges of Madison {…}

On This Day, Special Features

Exclusive: Conductor Gerard Schwarz Shares A Life-Altering Rimsky-Korsakov Encounter

https://operawire.com/exclusive-conductor-gerard-schwarz-shares-a-life-altering-rimsky-korsakov-encounter/

In commemoration of Rimsky-Korsakov’s birthday on March 18, 1844, OperaWire has the great fortune of collaborating with famed conductor Gerard Schwarz to share a special memory about his very first operatic encounter with the composer. It is very interesting to think of the wonderful composers who are known primarily for a single work: Pachelbel – Cannon; Dukas – “The Sorcerer’s {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

The Butterfly – Pretty Yende’s Never-Ending Search For Artistic Freedom

https://operawire.com/the-butterfly-pretty-yendes-never-ending-search-for-artistic-freedom/

A butterfly can never be caged or it dies. The same can be said of an opera singer, who needs the freedom to explore and develop as an artist. When an artist is caged and not allowed to carve out an organic path, he or she may burn out very quickly. During a recent interview with OperaWire, soprano Pretty Yende {…}

DVD and CD Reviews, Reviews

Aida Garfullina CD Review: A Subtle Debut Album That Announces a Star In The Making

https://operawire.com/aida-garfullina-cd-review-a-subtle-debut-album-that-pronounces-a-star-in-the-making/

Aida Garifullina is quickly rising to stardom in the operatic world. Her career has surged in the past year as she has taken leading roles in the world’s greatest houses and has now become an exclusive recording artist for Decca Classics. For her debut album, Garifullina has chosen a program of classic Russian pieces that are meaningful to her and {…}

News

Obituary: Legendary Soprano Roberta Peters Dies at 86

https://operawire.com/obituary-legendary-soprano-roberta-peters-dies-at-86/

Robert Peters has died at the age of 86. The coloratura soprano, who wowed audiences for her brilliant technique and vocal fireworks, died of Parkinson’s disease. The soprano was widely recognized at the Metropolitan Opera, where she made her debut earlier than expected on Nov. 17, 1950. Peters was phoned by General Manager Rudolph Bing who asked her to step in to replace Nadine Conner, {…}