The Arena di Verona has announced a special event in which Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov will perform a concert entitled “The Stars of Opera.” The two stars will be joined by Daniela Barcellona and Ambrogio Maestri, as well as conductor Marco Armiliato. The concert is scheduled for July 23 and will be part of an all-star festival which already {…}
(Credit: Teatro Regio di Torino/Royal Opera/Bilbao Opera This weekend is filled with new productions, season openings, role debuts and some of operas greatest masterpieces. Lolita – Prague State Opera, Czech Republic Rodion Shchedrin’s new opera gets another performance at the Estates Theatre with Pelageya Kurennaya in the title role, as well as Petr Sokolov, Alexander Kravets, Daria Rositskaya, Michaela Zajmi, {…}
(Credit: Javier del Real/Teatro Real, Bayerische Staatsoper, Prudence Upton/Opera Australia) This weekend will showcase numerous leading divas and a number of new productions that will entice opera lovers. Here is a look. Anna Bolena – Opera Australia, Australia Ermonela Jaho takes on the title role in Donizetti’s demanding opera. She is joined by Leonardo Cortellazzi, Carmen Topciu, and Teddy Tahu Rhodes and conductor Renato {…}
Another big season at the Metropolitan Opera has come and gone. The 2018-19 was a rather fascinating one from a repertory perspective, offering up a wide range of music from some of the greatest composers. The year wound up being a mixed bag of sorts from a quality standpoint with the best performances arguably taking place once the calendar turned {…}
The Met Opera’s highly successful production of “Adriana Lecouvreur” will be showcased on PBS as part of the Great Performances at the Met. The broadcast is set for May 12 at 12 p.m. Anna Netrebko and Anita Rachvelishvili will headline the production as warring divas over the affection of Piotr Beczala’s Maurizio. Ambrogio Maestri rounds out the quartet with the {…}
This review is for the performance on Feb. 22, 2019. The month of February might be the Met’s best in 2018-19. Just a few weeks ago, the company revived Donizetti’s “La Fille du Régiment” and it proved to be one of its great successes of the season. Propped up by star performances and a brilliant production, it has kept audiences {…}
The Hamburg State Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring six new productions and a number of revivals. There is also a mix of contemporary repertoire with classic and repertory staples. Here is a look at what to expect. New Productions Elbenita Kajtazi, Renate Spingler, Hellen Kwon, Peter Galliard, Stefan Sevenich, Iwan Iwanowitsch, and Julian Arsenault star in a new production of Shostakovich’s “The {…}
The Ópera de Las Palmas has announced its 52nd season which is set to begin in February and run through June. This season, the company will showcase five repertory staples. Here is a look at what to expect. Productions The season begins with Verdi’s “Don Carlo” conducted by Sesto Quatrini. The new production for the Amigos Canarios de la Opera {…}
The Vienna State Opera will live stream a performance of Donizetti’s quintessential comedy “Don Pasquale” this Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. The performance will be led by conductor Evelino Pidò and will star Ambrogio Maestri, René Barbera, Gabriel Bermúdez, and Andrea Carroll. This is the final performance for this cast; the company will showcase a new group of singers for its {…}
This Saturday, the Vienna State Opera brings its season-long live stream series to an end with Verdi’s “Falstaff.” Per the official website, Verdi’s final masterwork will showcase Ambrogio Maestri in his signature role alongside Christopher Maltman as Ford. Among the other major stars of the showcase are Jinxu Xiahou, Olga Bezsmertna, Hila Fahima, and Monika Bohinec. James Conlon conducts Sir {…}
On Sunday, May 27, 2018, Los Angeles Opera presented Giuseppe Verdi’s “Rigoletto” with a new cast of singers that was equal to those who sang the premiere. For this unusual situation, I found it necessary to return to the City of Angels for another look. Having attended a matinee performance, I write about it as our car speeds eastward away {…}