Anna Netrebko, Lise Davidsen, Magdalena Kožená, Gerald Finley, Anita Hartig & Sonia Prina Lead CD/DVD Releases

https://operawire.com/anna-netrebko-lise-davidsen-magdalena-kozena-gerald-finley-anita-hartig-sonia-prina-lead-cd-dvd-releases/

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week, two of the most famous divas release new albums, both from important concert performances. There are also some world premiere recordings, a Puccini work, and a baroque video recording. Pergolesi: Stabat Mater Deutsche Grammophon continues its joint label Verbier Festival Gold. {…}

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Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Announces Cast Change for ‘Salome’

https://operawire.com/maggio-musicale-fiorentino-announces-cast-change-for-salome/

(Credit: Natalia Mentugova) The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of Strauss’ “Salome.” The company said that Lidia Fridman will sing the title role of in the opera that will open the company’s 87th Festival del Maggio Fiorentino. Fridman will replace Allison Oakes, who due to illness is unable to perform in the production. Fridman {…}

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Obituary: Musicologist Michele Girardi Passes Away at 70

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Musicologist and Puccini expert Michele Girardi passed away on March 22, at the age of 70. Girardi was born in Venice, Italy on May 3, 1954. He graduated from the University of Venice in 1980, and went on to teacher at the Parma Conservatory from 1984 to 1988 and at the Mantua Conservatory from 1989 to 1998. He returned to {…}

Artist of the Week, Special Features

Artist of the Week: Lidia Fridman

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(Credit: Michele Crosera) This week, the Teatro La Fenice opens a new production of Donizetti’s masterpiece “Anna Bolena” featuring a cast of Bel Canto specialists. Leading the cast is Russian soprano Lidia Fridman. Over the years, the rising star soprano has made a name for herself in the Bel Canto repertoire since her breakout at the Donizetti opera Festival singing {…}

IndieOpera

Vira + Friends to Present ‘Sweet Mystery’

https://operawire.com/vira-friends-to-present-sweet-mystery/

Vira + Friends will present “Sweet Mystery” at the OPERA America National Opera Center on April 4, 2025. The showcase will honor the songs of Victor Herbert and women dramatists from the 1910s and 1920s. Performers include contralto Vira Slywotzky, tenor Todd Wilander, and pianist David Sytkowski. Slywotzky has performed with such companies as Seattle Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Chelsea Opera, {…}

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Obituary: Italian Baritone Angelo Nardinocchi Dies at 81

https://operawire.com/obituary-italian-baritone-angelo-nardinocchi-dies-at-81/

Baritone Angelo Nardinocchi has died at the age of 81. Born in Italy, the baritone studied at the Conservatorio di S. Cecilia. Nardinocchi went on to make his debut in Spoleto as Marcello in “La Bohème.” A year after his debut he went on to perform the role of Rigoletto, a role that went on to become his signature. Following the {…}

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Obituary: Singer & Conductor Roberto Balconi Dies at 58

https://operawire.com/obituary-singer-conductor-roberto-balconi-dies-at-58/

Italian Singer and conductor Roberto Balconi has died at the age of 58. Born in Milan, Italy in 1967, Balconi studied singing under Evelyn Tubb in England, and Margaret Hayward, among others. He made his operatic debut in 1993 at the Teatro La Fenice in Traetta’s “Buovo Dantona.” He would go to sing Cremona, Milan, San Francisco, Rome, Torino, Copenhagen, {…}

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Rossini Opera Festival Announces Cast Change for ‘Zelmira’

https://operawire.com/rossini-opera-festival-announces-cast-change-for-zelmira/

The Rossini Opera Festival has announced a cast change for its production of “Zelmira.” The company revealed that Pretty Yende will no longer perform the title role and will therefore be replaced by Anastasia Bartoli. Bartoli has performed at the festival in productions of “Eduardo e Cristina” and “Ermione.” She has also performed in a Concerto di Belcanto with the {…}

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Philharmonie Luxembourg Announces New Music Director

https://operawire.com/philharmonie-luxembourg-announces-new-music-director/

The Philharmonie Luxembourg has announced that Martin Rajna will be the new Music Director starting in September of 2026. The 29-year-old conductor has been the principal conductor of the Györ Philharmonic Orchestra since 2021 and Chief Conductor of the Hungarian State Opera since 2023. The conductor recently led performances of “Der Fliegende Holländer” this past fall and is in the {…}

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Anna Netrebko, Lise Davidsen, Magdalena Kožená, Gerald Finley, Anita Hartig & Sonia Prina Lead CD/DVD Releases

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Announces Cast Change for ‘Salome’

Obituary: Musicologist Michele Girardi Passes Away at 70

Artist of the Week: Lidia Fridman

Vira + Friends to Present ‘Sweet Mystery’

Obituary: Italian Baritone Angelo Nardinocchi Dies at 81

Obituary: Singer & Conductor Roberto Balconi Dies at 58

Rossini Opera Festival Announces Cast Change for ‘Zelmira’

Philharmonie Luxembourg Announces New Music Director