Full disclosure: my definition of purgatory is a Christof Loy opera staging. They are not infernal—there is always some redemption—and they used to be good. But now, they are definitely not for me. That mono-scenario, that preference for milk-aisle lighting and the somewhat surreal stagings. I get it, some people might like it. I am even friends with some of {…}
(Credit: © Luciano Romano) Rai5 will finally present the Teatro San Carlo’s opening night production of Dvořák’s “Rusalka.” The opera, which was originally set to be shown on Nov. 20, 2024, will be broadcast on May 29. The production is directed by Dmitri Tcherniakov and conducted by Dan Ettinger. Asmik Grigorian stars in the title role alongside Adam Smith as {…}
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic has announced its 2025-26 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Kelsey Thomas and Edward Lloyd perform a lunchtime recital. Performance Date: Sept. 22, 2025 Geoffrey Paterson conducts Julian Bliss and Agustin Pennino in Boccherini, Bernstein, Copland, Einojuhani Rautavaara, and Sibelius. Performance Date: Oct. 11, 2025 Domingo Hindoyan conducts Brahms’ Requiem with Sophie Bevan and {…}
The Washington National Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. Mainstage Productions The season opens with Verdi’s “Aida” in Francesca Zambello’s production. Kwamé Ryan conducts with Jennifer Rowley starring in the leading role. She is joined by Adam Smith, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Agnieszka Rehlis, Shenyang, and Morris Robinson. Amber R. Monroe and Robert Watson also star in the lead roles. Performance Dates: {…}
(Credit: © Luciano Romano) Rai5 is set to present the Teatro San Carlo’s opening night production of Dvořák’s “Rusalka.” Rai Cultura will produce the recording which will be shown at 7:15 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2024. The production will be directed by Dmitri Tcherniakov and conducted by Dan Ettinger. Asmik Grigorian will star in the title role alongside Adam Smith as the {…}
(Credit: Teatro Real, Royal Opera House/Bill Cooper/Salzburg Festival) With the year coming to an end, four major Italian opera houses are set to open their 2024-25 seasons. As customary the Italian opera calendar opens in late November or early December. So here is a look at what to expect from these four famed theaters. Teatro La Fenice The Venice Theater {…}
(Credit: Opéra de Rouen Normandie) On Oct. 5, 2024, the Opéra de Rouen Normandie will stream Verdi’s “Aida” at 6 pm GMT. The opera will be shown on YouTube and France TV and will star Joyce El-Khoury in the title role and Adam Smith as Radames. They will be joined by Alisa Kolosova as Amneris, Adolfo Corrado as Ramfis, and {…}
(Photo credit: © Ruth Walz) Puccini in Aix-en-Provence is not an obvious combination, and it was not until 2019 with Christophe Honoré’s “Tosca” production that Lucca’s maestro made his debut in the festival. It was an ultra-revisionist “Tosca”: two primissime donne on the stage, several videoclips, and many other bold choices. It was glorious and thought-provoking. Therefore, expectations for a “Madama {…}
Arte is set to present three of Festival Aix-En-Provence’s productions on its streaming platform. It all starts with “Iphigénie en Aulide-Iphigénie en Tauride” on July 11 and will be available until Dec. 11, 2025. The productions stars Corinne Winters, Russell Braun, Véronique Gens, Alasdair Kent, Nicolas Cavallier, Soula Parassidis, Florian Sempey, Stanislas de Barbeyrac, and Alexandre Duhamel. Emmanuelle Haïm conducts the production by Dmitri Tcherniakov. Then on July 12, {…}
The Teatro San Carlo announced its 2024-25 season. The season opens with Dvořák’s “Rusalka” in a new production by Dmitri Tcherniakov. Dan Ettinger conducts a cast that includes Asmik Grigorian, Adam Smith, Ekaterina Gubanova, Anita Rachvelishvili, and Gábor Bretz. Performance Dates: Nov. 20-Dec. 7, 2024 Verdi’s “Don Carlo” will be conducted by Henrik Nánási and will star Piero Pretti, Gabriele Viviani, Ildar {…}
The Opéra de Rouen Normandie has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera Joyce El-Khoury stars in Verdi’s “Aida” alongside Adam Smith, Alisa Kolosova, Adolfo Corrado, and Nikoloz Lagvilava. Pierre Bleuse conducts the production by Philipp Himmelmann. Performance Dates: Sept. 27-Oct. 5, 2024 Sally Matthews, John Findon, Paula Murrihy, and Caroline Wettergreen headline Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos” with Ben Glassberg. The production {…}