(Credit: Cory Weaver/Metropolitan Opera) On Oct. 25, 2019 Puccini’s “La Bohème” will open at the Metropolitan Opera reviving Franco Zeffirelli’s classic production. The Mimì’s This season the production will feature three acclaimed Mimì interpreters who have performed the role throughout their Met careers. Ailyn Pérez will open the production in a role she has been hailed for. OperaWire stated, “Pérez’s Mimì {…}
(Credit: © BAUS) Canadian director Robert Carsen is one of the most solicited directors in every major opera house nowadays and he proved why in his new production of the famous double bill of “I Paglliacci” and “Cavalleria Rusticana,” which opened the opera season at the Dutch National Opera. It is a production where he plays with theatre-within-theatre concept, making {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera) Venera Gimadieva has withdrawn from performances of Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the Bayerische Staatsoper. The company announced that Gimadieva was ill and therefore had to withdraw from performances scheduled on Sept. 25, 29, and Oct. 2, 2019. As a result, Ailyn Pérez will take over performances in the title role. Pérez is currently performing {…}
(Credit: Photo provided by the San Diego Opera) The San Diego Opera will present a special one-night-only event on Dec. 11, 2019, featuring soprano Ailyn Pérez and tenor Joshua Guerrero perform in concert at the Balboa Theatre. The e The two soloists will be accompanied by pianist Abdiel Vázquez in a recital opera arias, duets, zarzuela, and popular showtunes. The {…}
This weekend a number of classics will be presented in new productions and with some of the top stars. Here are the top showcases that we recommend. I Puritani – Opéra de Paris, France Elsa Dreisig makes her role debut as Elvira alongside a remarkable cast that includes Javier Camarena, Nicolas Testé, and Igor Golovatenko. Riccardo Frizza conducts Laurent Pelly’s {…}
(Photo by Merri Cyr) The Richard Tucker Foundation has announced that tenor Stephen Costello will join this year’s gala on Oct. 27, 2019 at Carnegie Hall. Costello was the 2009 Richard Tucker Award recipient and also received a Career Grant in 2007 and the Sarah Tucker Study Grant in 2006. He will join a cast that includes 2019 honoree Lisette {…}
(Credit: Royal Opera House) How one experiences Barrie Kosky’s “Carmen,” which is currently being presented at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, really depends on your relationship to the work itself. Those who have never seen the opera might actually find themselves riveted by Kosky’s conception and execution. Those who hate it might find this a breath of fresh air. {…}
The Richard Tucker Foundation has announced the lineup for the 2019 gala celebrating winner Lisette Oropesa. This year the lineup will include past Tucker winners Jamie Barton, Michael Fabiano, Ailyn Pérez, and Christian Van Horn. The gala will also include Bryan Hymel, Angel Blue, Lucas Meachem, Artur Rucinski, and a rare U.S. appearance for Ermonela Jaho. James Gaffigan will conduct {…}
The Santa Fe Opera has announced its highly anticipated 2020 season featuring a number of unique new productions, role debuts, and one world premiere. Emily D’Angelo, Jack Swanson, and Audun Iverson highlight Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” with Corrado Rovaris conducting. Scott Conner and Kevin Burdette round out the cast. Performance Dates: July 3-August 29, 2020 Eric Ferring. Joelle Harvey, {…}
Soprano Ailyn Perez is coming off two successful productions at the Metropolitan Opera in some of her signature roles and winning the prestigious Opera news award. Her star has risen and she has become more and more in demand around the world. Now the soprano returns to the Houston Grand Opera where she has debuted numerous roles and has had {…}
The 14th annual OPERA NEWS Awards were held on April 7, 2019, with a star-studded gala that honored five major figures of the opera world. The evening began with a cocktail hour before guests and honorees were brought to the main hall of the Plaza Hall to get the ceremony underway. OPERA NEWS editor F. Paul Driscoll kicked off the proceedings by {…}