Every year, one superstar rises above the rest to become one the centerpieces of a particular Teatro alla Scala season. This season, OperaWire pointed out five major artists that are poised to make high profile debuts or returns or headline major productions that are sure to see their profiles surge. Saioa Herenandez The Spanish soprano is set to make her {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has announced its 2018-19 season featuring a number of new productions and operatic classics. The season will once again include a number of Italian operas continuing the theater’s initiative to bring back Italian opera. Here is a look! Productions The season opens with a new production of Verdi’s “Attila” starring Ildar Abdrazakov. David Livermore directs the {…}
“The crown! The crest! It’s the Attavanti’s!” Exclaimed the tempestuous diva Floria Tosca, as she paced about in a frenzied fit of jealousy after being led to believe by the scheming and lascivious Barron Scarpia that her lover, the painter and maverick Mario Cavaradossi, had been dallying with a Marchesa in the chapel. In fact, no such dalliance occurred, as {…}
This weekend, the opera world will see a major role debut from a major star, as well as a number of singers continuing runs of role debuts and house debuts. There will also be a concert performance of a rarely performed Verdi work. Il Trovatore – Finnish National Opera, Finland Aquiles Machado sings the title in Verdi’s ever-popular opera alongside {…}
The Dutch National Opera has announced its 2018-19 season featuring many operatic classics as well as rarely performed works. The company will continue its Opera Forward series as well as its Holland Festival, which concludes the season. Classics The Dutch National Opera opens its season with Mozart’s masterpiece “Die Zauberflöte” in Simon McBurney’s new production. Kathryn Lewek brings her compelling Queen {…}
On Dec. 23 the Bayerische Staatsoper will present its new production of “Il Trittico” on its award-winning live stream service. The new production by Lotte de Beer stars Eva-Maria Westbroek and Yonghoon Lee in “Il Tabarro” and Ermonela Jaho in her signature role as “Suor Angelica.” Michaela Schuster is the villainous Princess. The evening caps off with Ambrogio Maestri in the title {…}
The Vienna State Opera’s current production of Puccini’s “Tosca” will get a live stream on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, as part of the company’s season-long live streaming service. Led by conductor Jesús López Cobos, the production will feature soprano Adrianne Pieczonka as the famed diva and Yonghoon Lee as her lover Mario Cavaradossi. As the villainous Scarpia, audiences will get {…}
It is a rather quiet weekend as many companies are in rehearsals gearing up for opening nights. However, some companies resume their 2016-17 seasons while others conclude summer festivals and others begin 2017-18 seasons. Here is a look at what to expect. Germany The Deutsche Oper Berlin kicks off its 2017-18 season with Verdi’s “La Traviata,” starring Ben Bernheim and Salome {…}
Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” has had an uneven performance history despite containing some of the composer’s most memorable music, not least its well-known overture, made famous through concert performances, and the emotionally charged duets that characterize the work. The problem, however, stems not from its music, but from its sprawling structure and the complex tensions that drive the narrative. {…}
It’s the weekend and that means there is a lot to see around the world. For opera goers the houses will offer lots of Puccini, Verdi and Mozart. There will also be Rossini, Berg and Janáček for the most adventurous opera lovers. Check it out! Austria At the Wiener Staatsoper audiences will be able to hear two of the most popular {…}
It’s Feburary so all companies are in full swing. This weekend Verdi and Strauss highlight major houses and Joyce DiDonato returns to the stage with a new role. Here is a look! Austria Audiences are in for a triple Verdi weekend at the Wiener Staatsoper starting with “Otello” starring Kristian Benedikt, Carlos Álvarez and Olga Bezsmertna. It will be followed {…}