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 {…}

Apr 14, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (4/14-16): Edita Gruberova And Eleonora Buratto Lead Easter Weekend

Easter Weekend is upon us and the opera companies around the world are doing their utmost to bring people to the theater. Here is a look at the things going around in the international opera scene. Austria Reiman’s “Medea” opens the weekend on Saturday at the Vienna State Opera with Claudia Barainsky, Stephanie Houtzeel, Monika Bohinec, Norbert Ernst, Adrian Eröd and {…}

Apr 10, 2017

Aida Garifullina Headlines New Production Of ‘The Snow Maiden’

On April 15, Rimsky-Korsakov’s “The Snow Maiden” will premiere at the Opera National de Paris. The Russian opera is slated to star Aida Garifullina in the role. The young soprano, who recently released her debut album on Decca will be making her debut at the Paris opera in the opera. The soprano is slated to return to Paris for performances {…}

Apr 5, 2017

All The Major Opera Stars Performing At The Vienna State Opera 2017-18 Season

The Vienna State Opera has announced its 2017-18 season with six new productions and 48 revivals. Given the sheer size of the schedule, you might expect the company to feature opera’s greatest stars. You would be absolutely right. As always the company will feature the biggest stars in the world including Anna Netrebko in her second run of performances of {…}

Mar 1, 2017

Aida Garfullina CD Review: A Subtle Debut Album That Announces a Star In The Making

Aida Garifullina is quickly rising to stardom in the operatic world. Her career has surged in the past year as she has taken leading roles in the world’s greatest houses and has now become an exclusive recording artist for Decca Classics. For her debut album, Garifullina has chosen a program of classic Russian pieces that are meaningful to her and {…}

Feb 13, 2017

Fashion Week 2017: 6 Divas Who Have Developed Into Fashion Icons

It’s Fashion Week and how style has influenced the opera world. Today we take a look at some of today’s opera divas that have redefined glamour, taking it to the next level with their trendy wardrobe and wearing some of the greatest fashion designers currently working in the industry. Thanks to the wonderful insight from OperaFashion, we take a look at {…}

Feb 10, 2017

Social Media Beat (Week 2/6-2/10): Which Artists Showed Off Their New Albums?

Another busy week for the world’s leading opera singers, but that has not stopped them from connecting with fans via social media. Nadine Sierra made everyone realize how much work went into getting her hair ready for a performance of “The Magic Flute.” Sending a big thank you to @_fab_official for coming backstage at @operadeparis for this awesome interview. I’ve {…}

Jan 30, 2017

CD/DVD Releases -Week of Jan. 30: Four Divas Set To Storm Stores This Week

It’s Diva week as three of the most popular sopranos will be releasing new albums and DVDs. One will showcase her second album while another will be debuting her first CD. Sonya Yoncheva’s Handel It was only two years ago when Yoncheva impressed in her first album, an homage to Paris. After winning the prestigious Echo Award, it would have {…}

Jan 27, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (1/27- 1/29): Jonas Kaufmann headlines a Sold Out ‘Lohengrin’ and Anita Rachvelishvili returns to ‘Il Trovatore’

What are you doing this weekend? Do you have any plans? If not the world’s greatest houses have some great offerings this weekend. Among the artists performing include Placido Domingo, Juan Diego Florez, Lise Lindstorm and Francesco Meli. Austria The weekend kicks off with Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette” at the Vienna State Opera. The production stars Aida Garifullina and Juan {…}