(Image Source: Official Website Opernhaus Zürich) Opernhaus Zürich has announced that it will start streaming operas on its official website starting on March 27, 2020. The service will last until June 1 with the company presenting operas between Fridays at 6 p.m. through Sunday at midnight. All works will be presented with subtitles in English, French, and German. “We now {…}
Aleksandra Kurzak has withdrawn from performances of Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the Royal Opera House. The soprano said via social media, “Tomorrow my 2nd performance of Verdi’s ‘La Traviata.’ Considering the worrying health situation I have decided to withdraw from the production after this second show. The situation is very difficult and I want to be able to join my {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper announced its 2020-21 season which includes eight new productions and numerous revivals. Premieres The first new production of the year will be “Die Vögel” by Walter Braunfels, who also penned the libretto. Ingo Metzmacher conducts a production by Frank Castrof that will star Wolfgang Koch, Günter Papendell, Caroline Wettergreen, Emily Pogorelc, Eliza Bloom, and Yajie Zhang, among {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has rescheduled Aleksandra Kurzak’s recital. The company announced that the new date for the soprano’s recital would be on May 4, 2020. The Teatro alla Scala was forced to postpone the recital scheduled for Feb. 23, 2020 due to the spread of the coronavirus. The company announced this past weekend that “the Teatro alla Scala’s performances {…}
(Credit: Benno Kraehahn) The Arena di Verona has announced the 2020 casting featuring an all-star lineup. The opening of the season will showcase a new production by Gabriele Muccino of “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci.” Mascagni’s work will showcase Ekaterina Semenchuk, Alexia Voulgaridou, Maria José Siri, and Sonia Ganassi alternating as Santuzza and Murat Karahan, Carlo Ventre, Yusif Eyvazov, and Marcelo {…}
Article in collaboration with Dejan Vukosavljevic The Hamburg State Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring six new productions and a number of revivals. Here is a look at the season. Oper Stabile Penderbayne’s “Unser kleines Scheißkaff” will be performed by Larissa Wäspy, Kady Evanyshyn, Ida Aldrian, Nicholas Mogg, Hubert Kowalczyk, Peter Galliard, and Katja Pieweck. Ingmar Beck conducts the {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl/ Metropolitan Opera) On Jan. 10, 2020 Verdi’s “La Traviata” returned to the stage in Michael Mayer’s production. It was the first revival of the production which scored a divisive reaction from the critics and the audience last season when it premiered. For this revival the Met brought superstar Aleksandra Kurzak, who was taking on the role of {…}
Now two weeks into 2020, we are starting to see a greater number of opera companies open up their doors and return to business. This week’s five recommendations feature major repertory staples sprinkled in with two rarities – one from the baroque era that comments on today’s Superhero obsessed culture with another more modern composition that looks backward to a {…}
The Arena di Verona has announced a one-night only cast for its upcoming production of Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci.” The theater announced that Aleksandra Kurzak and Roberto Alagna will sing both “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” in a performance on August 8, 2020. The performance will mark Roberto Alagna’s debut at the Arena di Verona and it will mark {…}
(Credit: Teatro Comunale di Bologna/Vincent Pontet-Opera de Paris) This week, four rarely performed works get stagings and concert performances with formidable casts that should not be missed. There are also some classics with all-stars casts that make them unmissable. Macbeth – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Plácido Domingo returns to the Vienna stage amidst sexual misconduct allegations to sing the title role {…}
Over the years, Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak has been moving into more dramatic and lyrical roles. After starting her career singing coloratura and Bel Canto roles like “Lucia di Lammoor” and the roles of Rossini, the soprano has continued to expand her repertoire, engaging with more Puccini and Verdi operas, among other heavier repertory. After taking on the role of {…}