(Credit: Bill Cooper) Anticipation was already at fever pitch for this new production of “Fidelio” in London, even before Oliver Mears, Royal Opera Artistic Director, appeared on stage before curtain up, evidently the bearer of bad news. “Please don’t be alarmed,” he reassured: Tenor Jonas Kaufmann only had a cold, would indeed sing, and asked for our indulgence. “We’ve been {…}
(Credit: Bill Cooper / ROH) The Royal Opera House has announced cast changes for its upcoming performances of “Fidelio.” For the performance on March 3, 2020, Baritone Simon Neal has withdrawn from the role of Don Pizarro. In a press release, the company noted at the British artist was indisposed and was replaced by German baritone Michael Kupfer-Radecky as Don {…}
This weekend two new productions open with some of the biggest stars in opera while a rarely performed work is set to open in Germany. Don Giovanni – Teatro Mayor, Colombia José Areán conducts Marcelo Lombardero’s production of Mozart and Da Ponte’s masterpiece. Acclaimed bass Nahuel di Pierro stars in the title role with a cast that also includes Hernán {…}
This week three new albums are set for release including a compilation by one of the great Mozart interpreters of our time and a complete opera recording of one of Handel’s first works. Mozartismo This new album is a personal retrospective including Rolando Villazón’s favorite tracks, with famous arias from his recordings of Mozart operas “Don Giovanni,” “Cosi fan tutte,” {…}
The Orchestra of St. Luke’s has announced its second Bach Festival, which is set to take place throughout June 2020 and will feature performances at a wide range of locations in New York City. For the purposes of this article, the focus will be on vocal performances of which there is only one. The performance in question is entitled “Bach {…}
The Boston Baroque begins the 2019-20 season with a program of symphonies and opera arias by Mozart and Haydn. The program, conducted by Music Director Martin Perlman, is set to feature Mozart’s “Linz” Symphony No. 36 in C major and Haydn, Symphony No. 102 in B flat. The program will also showcase Amanda Forsythe in arias from Mozart’s “Il re pastors,” {…}
With the reveal of its new 2019-20 season, the Royal Opera House has unveiled its live in cinemas performances. Here is a rundown of the major works that audiences can check out in the movie theaters. Don Giovanni – Oct. 8, 2019: The Mozart masterpiece will feature Erwin Schrott, Roberto Tagliavini, Malin Byström, Daniel Behle, Christine Rice, Louise Alder, and {…}
Komische Oper Berlin has announced its 2019-20 season. This season will celebrate Dionysus, the forefather and protagonist of Greek theatre, with new productions reflecting the entire spectrum of musical theatre. Chief Director Barrie Kosky comments, “. . . [O]nce we believe in the power of theatre and music, believe in their intoxicating, seductive, physical, emotional, and ultimately community-building impacts, once {…}
Boston Baroque has announced its 2019-20 season, which will include five concerts. The season will open with two Classical symphonies: Mozart’s “Linz” Symphony No. 36 in C major, and Haydn’s Symphony No. 102 in B flat. Soprano Amanda Forsythe will perform a set of virtuosic arias including “Barbaro, o Dio, mi vedi” from Mozart’s “Il re pastore,” “Ruhe sanft, mein holdes {…}
Opera Philadelphia has announced its 2019-20 season which will feature its annual festival, two world premieres, two company premieres and a number of concert performances. Here is a look. O19 Festival O19 launches its third annual festival with the world premiere production of “Denis & Katya,” a new chamber opera commissioned and produced by Opera Philadelphia in collaboration with Music {…}
This week Erato has two releases featuring legendary artists and one of today’s most sought-after singers. One releases features rarely performed works while the other features a new edition of a popular work. Here is a look: Orfeo ed Euridice Erato releases a new recording of Gluck’s 1174 classic opera with Philippe Jaroussky and Amanda Forsythe in the lead roles. Diego Fasolis {…}