Opera singers are paying tribute to Pope Francis after the leader of the Catholic Church died on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88. The Vatican’s Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of Pope Francis, stating, “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At {…}
The Opéra National de Paris has announced its 2025-26 season. The season opens with Puccini’s “La Bohème,” featuring Nicole Car, Yaritza Véliz, Charles Castronovo, Joshua Guerrero, Andrea Carroll, Étienne Dupuis, Xiaomeng Zhang, and Alexandros Stavrakakis. Domingo Hindoyan conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 12-Oct. 14, 2025 Cecilia Molinari leads Handel’s “Ariodante” alongside Luca Tittoto, Jacquelyn Stucker, Sabine Devieilhe, Rupert Charlesworth, Christophe Dumaux, {…}
(Ph. Brescia – Amisano © Teatro alla Scala) On March 28, Rai5 is set to present Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” from the Teatro alla Scala. The Mario Martone production, which was recorded by Rai Cultura, stars Alexey Markov, Aida Garifullina, Alisa Kolosova, Dmitry Korchak, Elmina Hasan, Dmitry Ulyanov, and Julia Gertseva. Timur Zangiev conducts. A review from OperaWire said, “Alexey Markov {…}
(Credit: Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala) On the recommendation of mezzo-soprano Yelizaveta Lavrovskaya, Tchaikovsky began reading “Eugene Onegin” by Alexander Pushkin, initially more out of obligation than pleasure. However, the novel captivated him, especially the figure of Tatiana, which led him to compose a series of “lyrical scenes.” In a letter addressed to Karl Albrecht, Musical Inspector of the Imperial {…}
As we wrap up 2024, here is a look back at some of the most-read articles of 2023. We will focus mainly on longer-form pieces like reviews and interviews for this article. Top 10 Most-Read Reviews of 2024 Metropolitan Opera Review of “Carmen“ Metropolitan Opera Review of “La Forza del Destino“ Metropolitan Opera Review of “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” Metropolitan Opera {…}
Soprano Aida Garifullina is set to perform at Cadogan Hall on March 24, 2025. “London has always held a special place in my heart, and performing here feels like a homecoming. Cadogan Hall’s intimate setting and remarkable acoustics create a uniquely magical connection, and I can’t wait to share this special evening of music,” said Garifullina per an official press {…}
When I asked soprano Aida Garifullina, in an earlier interview, what dream role she aspired to sing, she responded: “To be honest, I’m singing it at the moment…‘Traviata’ is my favorite opera.” And, on the opening day of this performance, almost 30 years since Richard Eyre’s celebrated first production of it, she sang her heart and soul out to prove it. {…}
There are not many editorials that I write and have a memory to start with. The opera industry changes fast as new world crises hit it again and again. Today, we cannot even say if Peter Gelb is the villain or a savior. One of my last memories from Russia, before I left it about ten years ago after Russia {…}
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli’s concert film, “Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration,” will be released globally in theaters this fall by Fathom. The film will document the three-day July event honoring Bocelli’s 30th anniversary in music. The event, which is set for July 15, 17 & 19, will take place in Lajatico at the Teatro del Silenzio in Tuscany. The film {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has announced its 2024-25 Season. Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” starring Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Ludovic Tézier, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, Alexander Vinogradov, and Marco Filippo Romano. Riccardo Chailly conducts the new production by Leo Muscato. The opera will also star Elena Stikhina, Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Luciano Ganci, and Simon Lim in the second {…}
The Staatsoper Unter den Linden has announced its 2024-25 season. Premieres Luca Salsi and Anna Netrebko team up for Verdi’s “Nabucco.” Ivan Magrì, Marina Prudenskaya, and René Pape join them. Anastasia Bartoli also performs. Bertrand de Billy conducts the new production by Emma Dante. Performance Dates: Oct. 2-26, 2024 Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” receives a new production featuring multiple casts. {…}