Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week, audiences will get to hear a world premiere recording of a new opera. There are also three solo albums including one historic recording and one from a great diva of our time. Here is a look! Jacqueline Pentatone releases the new {…}
(Photo credit: Karen Almond / Met Opera) This season’s premiere of Met Opera’s “Tosca” features Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak, in the titular role, marking her 100th Met performance. Her Met debut was in 2004 as Olympia in Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” and her performances leading up to this season have all been unforgettable, especially Kurzak as Tosca. Her voice alongside tenor {…}
On Sept. 25, 2024, Aleksandra Kurzak celebrated her 100th performance at the Metropolitan Opera. The Met said, “The opening performance of this season’s run of ‘Tosca’ marked Kurzak’s 100th Met performance. This season, the company also celebrates the 20th anniversary of her debut on December 10, 2004, as Olympia in Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann.” As noted the soprano made her {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond/Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to present Puccini’s “Tosca” for 13 performances. The production, which runs between Sept. 25 and Jan. 23, will feature three casts. The opening cast in September–October, will star soprano Aleksandra Kurzak in the title role alongside tenor SeokJong Baek and baritone George Gagnidze. Xian Zhang and Marco Armiliato conduct. OperaWire raved {…}
The International Opera Awards has revealed its 2024 awards. The awards ceremony is set to place at the Bayerische Staatsoper on Oct. 2, 2024.BBC Radio 3’s Petroc Trelawny will again host the awards ceremony. There will also be performances featuring opera stars and singers from the Bayerische Staatsoper Young Artists programme. Here is a rundown of all the categories: CONDUCTOR – Thomas {…}
(Credit: Aparte Music) Aleksandra Kurzak has announced a new album entitled “Cornelie Falcon.” The soprano announced that the new album will be released by Aparte Music. The new album will showcase the soprano alongside the Morphing Chamber Orchestra conducted by Bassem Akiki. The album will be an homage to Falcon’s repertoire and will include music by Mozart, Rossini, Weber, Beethoven, {…}
(Photo credit: (***Trigger warning based on topics of suicide and violence towards women) Madrid’s Teatro Real closes its season with an astonishing number of 19 performances with four different casts of Puccini’s tragic tale: “Madama Butterfly.” Nicola Luisotti was in charge of the Orchestra of Teatro Real for most of the performances, and the excellent Italian stage director Damiano Michieletto {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced a cast change for its production of “Adriana Lecourevur.” The company said, “We regret to announce that soprano Sonya Yoncheva has to cancel her participation in Adriana Lecouvreur because her dense schedule wouldn’t allow her to rehearse sufficiently for this role debut.” As a result, Aleksandra Kurzak will sing the title role on {…}
The Polish National Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. New Opera Productions The first new production is Krzysztof Penderecki’s “The Black Mask” directed by David Pountney. Bassem Akiki conducts a cast that includes Jacek Laszczkowski, Natalia Rubiś, Katarzyna Drelich, Anna Lubańska, Szymon Rona, and Wojtek Gierlach. Performance Dates: Nov. 22-29, 2024 Ill-starred love is also the theme of Łukasz Godyla’s “Wòlô bòskô.” The cycle of {…}
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. {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond / Met Opera) The 350th performance of “Turandot” at the Met exceeded expectations with Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv and Russian soprano Elena Pankratova making their house debuts and intentionally working together to deliver jaw-dropping moments of overwhelming musical beauty and power. The night also featured remarkable performances by South Korean tenor SeokJong Baek, Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak, {…}