https://operawire.com/4-luigi-alva-roles-you-cant-miss/
Before Juan Diego Flórez stormed on the scene, Peru’s most famous tenor was none other than Luigi Alva. The lyric tenor actually sang a number of the same roles that his compatriot would take on decades later, but his legacy is ultimately far different. Alva, born in Paita on April 10, 1927, served in the Peruvian Navy for some time {…}
https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2016-17-preview-vittorio-grigolo-isabel-leonard-to-light-up-werther/
Massenet’s masterful “Werther” makes a return to the Met stage after a few years of absence. The opening performance is Thursday, Feb. 16, with subsequent showcases on Feb. 20, 23, 27 and March 4 and 9. The current production, which was directed by Richard Eyre, debuted back in 2014 with Jonas Kaufmann in his most recent role for the company. {…}
https://operawire.com/obituary-nicolai-gedda-passes-away-at-91/
Swedish tenor Nicolai Gedda has passed away. The tenor died on Jan. 8 but the family did not confirm the news until today through France Musique. The tenor was a fixture of the opera world from 1952 until his retirement in 2003. He sang a total of 70 roles and made 200 recordings. The tenor had his big break in 1954 when {…}
https://operawire.com/on-this-day-an-extensive-look-at-jussi-bjorlings-career-at-the-metropolitan-opera/
On Feb. 5, 1911, the world was given the great gift that was Jussi Björling. The Swedish tenor became an icon throughout his career, his perfect vocal control a defining feature of his extensive career. Björling is in many ways synonymous with the Metropolitan Opera, becoming one of the company’s principal artists throughout the 1940’s and 50’s singing a wide {…}
https://operawire.com/la-monnaie-preview-2016-17-madama-butterfly-run-kicks-off-on-jan-31/
Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” returns to La Monnaie on Jan. 31. The run will feature 11 performances that end on Feb. 14. Tickets start at 10 euros a piece with all but two performances starting at 8 PM local time. The opera will feature two separate casts. Alexia Voulgaridou and Amanda Echalaz will alternate the title role while Ning Liang and {…}
https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2016-17-preview-two-radically-different-carmen-interpreters-arrive-in-sophie-koch-clementine-margaine/
UPDATE: On Tuesday, Jan. 17 it was announced that Sophie Koch would not be singing the role at the Met and that Clémentine Margaine would be taking over the entire run. For more information, read OperaWire’s coverage on the news. Opera’s most famous gypsy returns to the Metropolitan Opera stage on Thursday, Jan. 19. This year’s run of “Carmen” will {…}
https://operawire.com/obituary-french-conductor-georges-pretre-dies-at-the-age-of-92/
The Teatro alla Scala has announced that Georges Prêtre has died at the age of 92. The company released a statement that said, “Georges Prêtre, one of the greatest conductors of our time, had a fifty-year relationship with La Scala. He made his debut in 1966 conducting a legendary production of Gounod’s ‘Faust’ with Mirella Freni, Nicolai Gedda and Nicolai {…}
https://operawire.com/5-family-friendly-operas-to-watch-over-the-holiday-break/
The holidays are upon us and most will be together to celebrate them. There will a lot of downtime and this will give families a chance to catch up on movies or simply relax and listen to some great music. For families interested in enjoying an opera together, the following is a list of works that family and holiday friendly {…}
https://operawire.com/one-essential-recording-of-every-puccini-opera/
Thursday December 22 is the 158th birthday of one of the greatest opera composers of all time – Giacomo Puccini. The Italian composer is best known for his brilliant melodic invention and his operatic output, while relatively small when compared with the likes of Italian predecessors such as Verdi, Rossini or Donizetti, is among the most popular in the entire {…}