Set in a provincial Russian town close by the Volga River, the basis for Janáček’s “Káťa Kabanová” – Alexander Ostrovsky’s play “The Storm” – invites the color palette of a murky staging; a cerulean hue or olive green to mirror the portentous themes that percolate the sometimes dissonant, sometimes harmonious and sinuously changing score. Unlike many opera settings, the visual {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced its 2019-20 season featuring 10 productions, including four new productions and the Ring Cycle in its entirety. The season will also include one special concert event and one important recital, among other projects. Here is a look at what audiences should expect. Main Stage The season opens with a revival of Rossini’s “Il {…}
Three exciting releases are set for this week. The first comes from one of the most exciting divas performing today while the other two come from recent acclaimed performances. One includes the final installment of the Ring Cycle. Here is what we recommend this weekend! Spirito Marina Rebeka releases her third solo album for the newly created label Prima Classic. The {…}
PBS will showcase “Così Fan Tutte” from the Metropolitan Opera as part of its Great Performances Series on Sunday, July 29, 2018. The broadcast will kick off at 12 p.m. EDT and will star Kelli O’Hara, Amanda Majeski, Adam Plachetka, Ben Bliss, Christopher Maltman, and Serena Malfi under the musical direction of David Robertson. The production, set on Coney Island {…}
The Santa Fe Opera has announced its 2019 season. While the 2018 season has yet to begin, the upcoming 2019 edition will showcase five productions, including one new world premiere. Here is a look Productions Vanessa Vasquez and Mario Chang lead Puccini’s “La Bohème” with a stellar cast that also includes Kirsten Mackinnon and Zachary Nelson. Jader Bignamini conducts the production {…}
This weekend’s choices are a unique mix. Yes, New York City dominates in four of our five choices, but once you take a look, you’ll see why. Rinaldo – Carnegie Hall Let’s just look at this cast under Sir Harry Bicket: Iestyn Davies, Jane Archibald, Joélle Harvey, Luca Pisaroni, Sasha Cooke, James Hall, and Jakub Joszef Orlinski. This is going {…}
It was intermission at the premiere of Phelim McDermott’s new Metropolitan Opera production of Mozart and Da Ponte’s “Così Fan Tutte” and someone made this statement to me. “It’s fun and everything, but why set it on Coney Island?” It’s a great point, but one could extrapolate that entire statement to the opera itself – “It’s got great music and {…}
A few years ago, Amanda Majeski got the opportunity of a lifetime. Most singers wait a ton of time before getting a shot at opening the Metropolitan Opera season. Many singers never get that opportunity at all. But there was Majeski on Sept. 22, 2014. Richard Eyre’s massive set for “Le Nozze di Figaro” was rotating to reveal the Countess’ {…}
The New York Choral Society will honor Stephanie Blythe in the company’s annual Spring Gala. The company will honor Blythe with the NYChoral Award for musical excellence. Blythe has performed all around the world and is considered one of the greatest mezzos of her generation. She returns to the Metropolitan Opera for “Cendrillon” and is also scheduled to make an appearance {…}
The Met Opera’s upcoming “Così fan tutte” is set to make a major splash in coming weeks. The new production set on Coney Island, which is set to feature more than a number of major tricks, will undeniably play a major role in its popularity. But any opera will live and die with its singing actors, and the cast that {…}
“Halka” is considered one of the first great Polish operas in the canon. While it is rarely performed outside of Poland, Stanisław Moniuszko’s work has had a couple of outings in the United States. This season, the Bard Music Festival presented it in collaboration with the Polish National Opera in a semi-staged version that while not completely satisfying in its {…}