The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced its 2020-21 season featuring multiple productions, concert operas, and stars. Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” starring Anna Netrebko, Yusif Eyvazov, Ludovic Tézier, Okka von der Damerau, and Dmitry Belosselskiy. Performance Dates: Oct. 1 & 4, 2020 Christof Loy directs Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” with Christopher Maltman in the title role and {…}
The Opéra de Toulon in France has announced its 2020-21 season featuring seven productions. Karine Deshayes sings the title role of Rossini’s “Semiramide” alongside Teresa Iervolino, Philippe Talbot, and Mirco Palazzi. George Petrou conducts the concert performances. Performance Dates: Oct. 9 & 11, 2020 Ketevan Kemoklidze sings the title role of Bizet’s “Carmen” with Adriana González, Amadi Lagha, and Andrei {…}
Oper Frankfurt has announced its 2020-21 season. The German house will present 11 new productions and a number of revivals and recitals. New Productions Monika Buczkowska, Judita Nagyová, Peter Marsh, Simon Neil, and Alfred Reiter star in Ligeti’s “La Grand Macabre.” Sebastian Weigle conducts a production by Vasily Barkhatov. Performance Dates: Sept. 13-Oct. 17, 2020 Katharina Thoma will direct Offenbach’s {…}
This week sees the release of two debut albums and a special performance of “Die Walküre.” Mélodies Adriana Gonzalez releases her first album on Audaux Records accompanied by pianist Iñaki Encina Oyón, who is well known for performing neglected and unknown repertoire. The album will delve into early 20th-century French Mélodie with a focus on the exceptional expressive qualities of {…}
(Credit: Bayerische Staatsoper) This weekend is all about new productions, role debuts and rarely performed works. Here are seven productions we recommend this weekend. Leonore – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Tomáš Netopil conducts a new production by Amélie Niermeyer of Beethoven’s only opera. The cast includes Jennifer Davis in her Vienna debut, Katrin Röver, Benjamin Bruns, Falk Struckmann, Thomas Johannes Mayer, {…}
(Credit: Marine Cessat-Begler) Operalia winner Adriana González has announced her debut album. The soprano will release her first album on Audaux Records accompanied by pianist Iñaki Encina Oyón, who is well known for performing neglected and unknown repertoire. The album will delve into early 20th-century French Mélodie with a focus on the exceptional expressive qualities of husband and wife composers Robert {…}
(Credit: Elena-Cherkashyna/ Arielle Doneson/ Fay Fox) It’s that time of year during which we look back at the past 365 days and the big moments that defined them. Every year, the opera world has its share of rising and breakout artists that are likely to become the next generation of stars. These singers are discovered in competitions, festivals or young {…}
(Credit: Catherine Ashmore-Royal Opera/ Jochen Quast-Deutsche Oper Am Rhein) This weekend is all about the repertory staples and intriguing casts that currently performing them. Here is a look at what we think you need to see. Un Ballo in Maschera- Narodni Diavdlo, Czech Republic Jennifer Rowley continues her run of Verdi’s middle period masterpiece. She sings the role of Amelia {…}
Editor’s Note: This piece has been edited as statements have come out regarding the situation. Following accusations of sexual harassment, numerous opera personalities have come in defense of Plácido Domingo. In the wake of accusations by nine women, opera stars have taken to Twitter, Instagram, and news outlets to defend their colleague. Among them is Bulgarian superstar soprano Sonya Yoncheva {…}
Xabier Anduaga and Adriana Gonzalez have taken home first prize at the Operalia Competition. The two singers also won the zarzuela prizes. Anduaga won the Plácido Domingo Ferrer Prize while Gonzalez won the Pepita Embil Prize. Second prize went to baritone Gihoon Kim and mezzo-soprano Maria Kataeva while third prize went to soprano Christina Nilsson and countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen. {…}
The Operalia Competition has revealed the 12 finalists who will be competing for its top prize on Friday, July 26, 2019. The 12 finalists included Felicia Moore, Gihoon Kim, Christina Nilsson, Piotr Buszewski, Xabier Anduaga, Bongani Justice Kubheka, Liv Redpath, Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, Anna Shapovalova, Maria Kataeva, Adriana Gonzalez, and Mario Bahg. While making the announcement, legendary singer Plácido Domingo noted {…}
