Audra McDonald Replaces Plácido Domingo At Philadelphia Orchestra’s Opening Night

The Philadelphia Orchestra has found a replacement for Plácido Domingo to launch its 120th season. The organization announced that award-winning singer and actor Audra McDonald will perform on opening night with Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra. McDonald will perform selections by Gershwin, Sondheim, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and more. McDonald will be joined by Adela Zaharia, who will {…}

Jun 4, 2019

LA Opera 2018-19 Review: La Traviata

The Los Angeles Opera’s 2018-19 season closes this June with a return of Marta Domingo’s “Roaring ‘20s” production of Verdi’s “La Traviata.” On opening night, I found this an effective, straight, yet moving rendition of Verdi and Piave’s account of Violetta the courtesan, close to death, who is denied her one late-in-a-short-life chance of true love. Roaring 20s Of course, {…}

May 13, 2019

Adela Zaharia & Liana Aleksanyan Headline Deutsche Oper Am Rhein 2019-20 Season

The Deutsche Oper Am Rhein has announced its new season featuring 29 productions including 10 new productions, and a full Ring Cycle. New Productions Two casts highlight Gound’s “Roméo et Juliette” in a new production by Philipp Westerbarkei. Luiza Fatyol and Sylvia Hamvasi share the role of Juliette, while Ovidiu Purcel and Gustavo de Gennaro alternate as Roméo. David Crescenzi and Marie Jacquot conduct. Performance Dates: {…}

Mar 17, 2019

Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko & Plácido Domingo Headline Bayerische Staatsoper’s 2019-20 Season

The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2019-20 season, which is undeniably one of the biggest there is. It includes eight new productions to go along with a plethora of revivals. New Productions Jonas Kaufmann and Marlis Petersen headline a new production of Korngold’s “Die Tote Stadt” with Simon Stone directing. Kirill Petrenko conducts the production which also stars Andrzej Filonczyk, Jennifer Johnston, {…}

Dec 21, 2018

Top 6 Operas to See This Weekend – International (12/21-23)

The holiday season is in full swing and this weekend will feature a number of operas and performances that reflect the spirit of this time of year. Hansel and Gretel – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Vienna celebrates the holiday season with a cast of young and veteran singers including Boaz Daniel, Donna Ellen, Margaret Plummer, and Mariam Battistelli. Axel Kober conducts {…}

Aug 17, 2018

Adela Zaharia & Miah Persson Replace Diana Damrau At Proms

Diana Damrau has canceled her participation at the BBC Proms festival. The soprano, who recently canceled her role debut in Opera National de Paris’ new production of “Les Huguenots,” is now stepping out of her upcoming August 29, 2018, Proms concert. As a result, not one but two sopranos will fill in. Miah Persson will perform four Strauss songs, while {…}

May 30, 2018

Los Angeles Opera 2017-18 Review – Rigoletto: Adela Zaharia Makes Triumphant Debut Alongside Michael Fabiano & Ambrogio Maestri

On Sunday, May 27, 2018, Los Angeles Opera presented Giuseppe Verdi’s “Rigoletto” with a new cast of singers that was equal to those who sang the premiere. For this unusual situation, I found it necessary to return to the City of Angels for another look. Having attended a matinee performance, I write about it as our car speeds eastward away {…}

May 25, 2018

Q&A: Adela Zaharia On Winning Operalia & Her U.S. Debut At The LA Opera

It has been a whirlwind year for Adela Zaharia. The Romanian soprano won the Operalia competition in 2017 and since then her profile has risen. She made a surprising debut at the Bayerische Staatsoper, where she returns this summer for a new production. She was also featured as an ensemble member at the Deutsche Oper de Rhien, returned to the {…}

May 24, 2018

Adela Zaharia, Linda Watson & Karine Babajanyan Lead Deutsche Oper Am Rhein’s 2018-19 Seson

The Deutsche Oper am Rhein has announced its 2018-19 season, featuring 10 new productions and a number of rising stars. The season will also include a number of opera favorites, rarely performed works, and modern masterpieces. Here is a look. Premieres Suzanne Andrade and Esme Appleton direct a new double bill featuring Stravinsky’s “Petrushka” and Ravel’s “L’Enfant et Les Sortileges.” Tiago Alexandre Fonseca, Pauliina {…}

Mar 16, 2018

Adela Zaharia & Juan Jesús Rodríguez To Make LA Opera Debuts

The LA Opera has announced two major cast changes for its upcoming production of Rigoletto, scheduled to open on May 12. Baritone Leo Nucci, who had been scheduled to perform the title role on May 12, 16 and 19, opted out the performances as he is limiting his performances outside Europe. As a result, he will be replaced on those {…}

Jan 18, 2018

The 5 Must-See Performers of the LA Opera 2018-19 Season

The LA Opera has announced its 2018-19 season featuring a number of major singers and rising stars. Like every season, there are major surprises or debuts to look out for. This season has its fair share of debuts and role debuts as well as classic returns that should please audiences around. Sean Pannikar – Satyagraha The American tenor makes his {…}

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