Top 5 Opera To See This Weekend – International (12/1-3): Jonas Kaufmann & Sonya Yoncheva Lead Productions

The weekend sees two new high profile productions open with star-studded casts. Meanwhile, Jonas Kaufmann and Elina Garanca headline major revivals throughout Europe. Hagen-Siegfried-Brundhilde – Theater an der Wien, Austria On Dec. 1, the Theater an der Wien will open a new ring cycle which was developed based on Richard Wagner’s music and was especially done for the Theater an der Wien. {…}

Nov 10, 2017

Social Media Beat (11/2-9): A Dog Wins the Internet As Ailyn Pérez Prepares ‘Thaïs’ Among Other Major Events

Another week and more fun stuff on Instagram. One, in particular, has the internet won over. Ailyn Pérez wants everyone to be excited about her upcoming “Thaïs” at the Metropolitan Opera. J’ai trop hâte de finalement devenir Thaïs ce samedi! Ces costumes et cette musique sont d’une beauté exceptionnelle 😌💕✨ . . @geraldfinleyofficial you rock!! What a wonderful colleague to {…}

Nov 8, 2017

Placido Domingo, Jonas Kaufmann & Cecilia Bartoli Headline Salzburg Festival

The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2018 summer festival. This season the festival will showcase eight operas in concert and staged performances. “Die Zauberflöte” will be the festival’s sole Mozart offering starring Matthias Goerne as Sarastro, Mauro Peter as Tamino, Albina Shagimuratova in the role of the Queen of the Night, Christiane Karg as Pamina, and Adam Plachetka as Papageno. Constantinos Carydis conducts Lydia Steier’s new production. {…}

Oct 13, 2017

Katerina Tretyakova Takes Over Four Performances For Aida Garifullina

Katerina Tretyakova will take over four performances of Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” at the Grand Theatre Liceu. Tretyakova will sing performances on Feb. 19 and 24 and March 2 and 4 dates. She will take over for Aida Garifullina who is still slated to take on performances on Feb. 14, 17, 22 and 27. As noted by the company, Garifullina {…}

Oct 13, 2017

Social Media Beat (Week of Oct. 6-12): Fake News & Verdi Dominate Internet

It was a tumultuous week on social media with Fake News influencing the interaction between opera stars and their fans. The Metropolitan Opera made sure to celebrate the birthday of iconic composer Giuseppe Verdi. 🎈🎉🎂Happy birthday, Giuseppe Verdi! The Italian composer, born on this day in 1813, is one of the most prolific and influential composers in the operatic canon. What’s {…}

Oct 6, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (10/6-8): Piotr Beczala Headlines ‘Un Ballo In Maschera’ At The Liceu

It’s another hectic weekend with many of the worlds greatest stars performing around the world. The modern classics and many of the traditional warhorses will be featured this weekend. Austria The Vienna State Opera continues its run of “La Bohème” with Jinxu Xiahou, Hrachuhí Bassenz, Gabriel Bermúdez and Aida Garifullina as well as “The Gambler” with Linda Watson and “Don Giovanni” {…}

Aug 17, 2017

Chorégies d’Orange Summer 2018 Season To Feature Erwin Schrott, Olga Peretyatko, Aida Garifullina, Among Others

The Chorégies d’Orange has announced its 2018 season which will include two productions and recitals, among other things. Everything kicks off on May 25, 2018 with “Pop the Opera,” a concert featuring hundreds of artists from around the aria, performing famous excerpts from the world of opera. There will also be pop tunes and film music, giving the experience a {…}

Jul 22, 2017

Operalia Competition: Sonya Yoncheva, Pretty Yende & the Superstars of the Past Decade

The Operalia Competition is just days away and in anticipation of the famed event, we will take a look back down memory lane at the opera singers who became stars after big performances at the competition. For today’s installment, we will look at the major stars from this decade. Here are the winners of that decade who have since risen {…}

Jun 16, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (6/16-18): Anna Netrebko Makes Role Debut As Adriana Lecouvreur While Jose Cura Returns to Otello

It’s a weekend filled with many stars, premieres and role debuts. And there is something for any opera lover interested in exploring the classic repertoire. Austria “Rigoletto” continues its run at the Vienna State Opera with Yosep Kang, Roberto Frontali, and Aida Garifullina while “Don Pasquale” also gets one presentation with Michele Pertusi, Antonino Siragusa, and Danielle de Niese. The weekend {…}

May 22, 2017

CD/DVD Releases -Week of May 22: Joan Sutherland, Plácido Domingo & Aida Garifullina Lead New Releases

This week three star-studded DVD will invade markets. The first stars Joan Sutherland and Alfredo Kraus while the other stars Plácido Domingo in a signature role. Finally, audiences will get to see rising star Aida Garifullina in one of her early triumphs. Sutherland’s “Lucrezia Borgia” The premiere release of the week is Joan Sutherland’s acclaimed “Lucrezia Borgia.” Opus Arte is releasing the historic performance {…}

Apr 21, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (4/21- 23): Gregory Kunde And Maria Jose Siri Headline New ‘Andrea Chenier’

Another weekend, more opera performances around the world. Here are the big highlights. Austria The weekend kicks off at the Vienna state Opera with Janacek’s “Katya Kabanova” starring Dan Paul Dumitrescu, Misha Didyk, Jane Henschel, Leonardo Navarro and Angela Denoke. It will be followed by Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsenk” with Wolfgang Bankl, Eva-Maria Westbroek and Brandon Jovanovich. The weekend concludes {…}