After a bumpy 2021, which still had numerous COVID cancelations, 2022 saw opera companies almost return to normalcy. There were setbacks like cyberattacks, a war that has destroyed a country, and companies losing funds from government agencies. But in all, it also showed how opera companies could unite through benefit concerts and through sheer artistry. And after releasing our favorite {…}
(Photo credit: Mark Allen/Barbican) What tenor Allan Clayton doesn’t know about misery probably isn’t worth knowing. His latest successes have been studies in anguish, specializing in alienated outsiders, or figures squatting on the borderland between life and death: Brett Dean’s “Hamlet,” “Peter Grimes” at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and the Met, and, latterly for London audiences, a standout {…}
The Park Avenue Armory has announced its 2023 season. Here is a look at the operatic and vocal performances for the season. Jonas Kaufmann stars in “Doppelganger” directed by Claus Guth. The work will also feature Helmut Deutsch and the music will include Schubert’s “Schwanengesang.” Performance Dates: Sept. 22-28, 2023 Recital Series Stéphane Degout and Cédric Tiberghien present a program {…}
(Credit: Richard Termine / Met Opera) (This review is for the performance on Oct. 26, 2022) The last time the Met Opera presented “Peter Grimes” was in 2008. The world has certainly changed quite a bit in that time and somehow, that timeless work’s themes seem all the more relevant than ever before. The opera opens on the trial of {…}
PBS has announced that it will begin broadcasting the Metropolitan Opera’s performance of “Hamlet” on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. It will then be available for viewing in the New York Metro area on Nov. 13, 2022, on THIRTEEN. The opera by Brett Dean stars Allan Clayton, Sarah Connolly, Rod Gilfry, Brenda Rae, and conductor Nicholas Carter. Neil Armfield directed. Of {…}
Britten’s “Peter Grimes” is set to return to the Metropolitan Opera for the time since 2008. The opera, which is set to be performed between Nov. 16 and Nov. 12 for eight performances, will star tenor Allan Clayton, who made his acclaimed Met debut in the title role of Brett Dean’s “Hamlet” last season. Critics raved with OperaWire stating “Allan {…}
This week many solo recital albums are set to be released as well as two complete operas. Here is a look. L’incoronazione di Poppea Opus Arte releases John Eliot Gardiner’s performance of Monteverdi’s work celebrating his 450th anniversary. The cast includes Kangmin Justin Kim, Hana Blažíkova, Gianluca Buratto, Marianna Pizzolato, and Carlo Vistoli. Gardiner leads his Monteverdi Choir and English {…}
(© Sim Canetty-Clarke) At the pinnacle of the song cycle is Schubert’s “Winterreise.” It is a work that has been mythologized and has influenced generations of composers thereafter including Mahler, Britten, and Maury Yeston to name just a few. While written for tenor, it has nonetheless been recorded and performed by lower male voices as well as a plethora {…}
Tenor Allan Clayton is set to join forces with pianist Kate Golla for a series of unique performances of Schubert’s “Winterreise” this July. The showcase, which will take place as part of Musica Viva Australia’s winter tour, will feature performances between July 12 and 27 in such cities as Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, and Canberra. The famed Schubert song {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond / Met Opera) Back in 2017, The Guardian meditated on why, despite being one of the world’s greatest plays, “Hamlet” had no great corresponding operatic adaptation. The article notes that despite there being about 40 actual operatic adaptations, none have stood the test of time or held the stage. Perhaps the lone work with staying power is {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2022-23 season featuring 10 new productions. Premieres Benedict Andrews directs Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” with Vladimir Jurowski conducting a cast that includes Louise Alder, Avery Amereau, Konstantin Krimmel, Sebastian Kohlhepp, Sandrine Piau, and Christian Gerhaher. Performance Dates: Oct. 26, 2022-July 17, 2023 Wagner’s “Lohengrin” will be conducted by François-Xavier Roth and directed by film director {…}