Social Media Beat-Week (12/10-16) : Dmitri Hvorostovsky Returns To the Stage While Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolo Prepare New Year’s Gala
By Francisco SalazarThere is never a dull moment in the opera world as singers are constantly traveling and exploring new locations. While some singers are preparing for their holiday seasons, others are already preparing upcoming roles or recitals. Lets take a look at where some of the most popular stars were in this week’s Social Media Beat.
Pretty Yende
The South African soprano had an eventful week as she returned to New York and noted that she will be at the Metropolitan Opera for the next four months. The soprano is indeed preparing two new roles for the company. First she will star in a revival of Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” and then she will take over the new production of Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette.” However, before she arrived at the famed company Yende had the chance to reconnect with the South African/African Choral Community where she sang alongside them. She also performed a run of Donizetti’s “L’Elisir’ Amore.”
Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolo
Damrau may not be on Social Media often but the Metropolitan Opera let fans into rehearsals of “Romeo et Juliette” with Vittorio Grigolo. The two were seen backstage rehearsing the work with director Bartlett Sher. From the pictures it looks like the two were rehearsing the balcony scene from Act two. The production opens on Dec. 31 and is slated to be Live in HD in January.
Grigolo also made a stop at Carnegie Hall where he performed at the Revlon Holiday concert alongside Sting and Bruce Springsteen in classic holiday songs. He even had the chance to dress up as Santa during the concert.
Anna Netrebko
The Diva returned to New York for a short stop to celebrate Christmas with her friends before going to Vienna where she showed off her Christmas tree. She also presented her new Tea Set in a gala. The first tea set was auctioned off and the profits were donated to a children’s organization. Netrebko concluded the week in rehearsals for a revival at Munich of Verdi’s “Macbeth.” Her last photo showed a now recovered Yusif Eyvazov, who is returning to the stage after a broken leg injury. The revival of Verdi’s “Macbeth” begins on Dec. 18 and runs through Dec. 27.
Anita Rachvelshvili
Rachvelishvili continued her run of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” and seems like she has been enjoying the run as she posted videos of the curtain call and photos of some of the raves she has obtained. In the interim she also posted videos as she prepares her upcoming Teatro alla Scala recital with David Aladashvili. From the videos it looks like Rachvelishvili will have music from Tchaikovsky and Rossini in the program. The mezzo soprano continues her acclaimed run of “Il Trovatore” this week before celebrating the holidays.
Joseph Calleja
The Maltese tenor had a productive week returning to social media after a three week absence. The tenor announced that he was recording a new Verdi album. He posted pictures from Valencia where is currently recording. He even posted one with Angela Gheorghiu, who will join him in the album for a duet of Verdi’s “Otello.” The tenor previewed this piece of music in a video he posted on Facebook with the orchestra rehearsing. Once he finishes his recording session the tenor does not return to the stage until Jan. 2107.
Dmitri Hvorostovsky
The beloved baritone, who last week announced that he would cancel all operatic productions for the foreseeable future, posted pictures of his return to the concert stage. The baritone posted a video singing Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” trio with Marcelo Alvarez and Dinara Alieva. He then posted a picture with the singers backstage that stated “The Friends part is my favorite aspect of Hvorostovsky and Friends.” The post definitely gives fans a little comfort to see the baritone happy continuing to perform.
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