“Andrea Chénier” is the greatest masterpiece of Umberto Giordano, one of the most prominent exponents of Verismo. The plot is based on historical events: poet and scholar André Chénier, who had sympathized with revolutionary ideas, was guillotined in 1794 during the Reign of Terror following the French Revolution of 1789. The libretto features a love story between Chénier and Maddalena {…}
(Credit: Mark Brenner) Barely a fortnight after His Majesty the King, opera luminaries, star singers, guests and audience all gathered to bid a fond and emotional farewell to Antonio Pappano as the Royal Opera House’s musical director; the maestro was back on the very same podium, guiding his musical charges through Giordano’s “Andrea Chénier.” Based loosely on the real-life French {…}
The Opernhaus Zürich has announced a cast change for its production of Giordano’s “Andrea Chenier.” The company said, “Unfortunately, Anja Harteros had to cancel this production for personal reasons. We would like to thank Erika Grimaldi for taking on the role of Maddalena.” This season, Grimaldi is set to perform at the Washington National Opera in a production of “Otello,” {…}
(© Laura Scaccabarozzi) The Royal Opera House has announced two cast changes for upcoming productions. The company revealed that Danielle de Niese has withdrawn from all performances of “La Bohème” to recover from illness. In her stead, Lauren Fagan will take on the famed role of Musetta. Fagan has previously appeared with the company in “Hansel and Gretel” and was {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has announced a cast change for its production of “Andrea Chénier” on May 6, 2023. The company said that Luca Salsi will sing the role of Carlo Gerard, replacing Ambrogio Maestri who is ill. Salsi also replaced Maestri in the opening performance on May 3. The baritone originated the Mario Martone production when it opened the {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of “Andrea Chénier.” The company said that Luciano Ganci will sing the title role on Dec. 6 replacing Jonas Kaufmann, who is ill. This is the second performance that Kaufmann cancels due to illness. He also canceled the performance on Dec. 3 and was replaced by Stefano la Colla. {…}
OperaVision has announced its July 2021 streaming slate. First up will be a production of “Andrea Chénier” from the Hungarian State Opera. The work will feature Boldizsár László, Eszter Sümegi, and Michele Kalmandy. Balázs Kocsár conducts a production by Fabio Ceresa. Streaming Date: July 2, 2021 Next up will be a production of “The Haunted Manor” from Poznan Opera. The {…}
(Credit: Simon Pauly) “The music is giving me what I need. Music has always given me what I needed in my life.” When the COVID-19 hurricane struck humanity in full force in March, tenor Martin Muehle was about to begin rehearsals for the supernatural opera “The Queen of Spades” at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. At that moment it was obvious {…}
(Credit: Michael Cooper) Celebrated American-Canadian soprano Sondra Radvanovsky will return to the stage in a live concert on Sept. 3, 2020 at the Teatro Colón in A Coruña, Spain. The famed soprano will be joined onstage by baritone Carlos Álvarez, tenor Alejandro Roy, and bass Simón Orfila. Radvanovsky’s first live performance after a six-month hiatus will feature different excerpts from {…}
Whether it is a brand new Ferrari or a Rolls Royce cabriolet – the relationship between star singers and their cars has always been something of an amour fou. Piotr Beczała is no exception and the Polish tenor drives a sleek and elegant Jaguar XK150 which, in general terms, might well serve the description of his voice. Timeless, and equipped {…}
An opera in which death is the finite indulgence, Giordano’s “Andrea Chénier” is the antithesis of its verismo siblings – glorifying suicidal sacrifice rather than sketching it in lachrymose laments of mourning and self-pity. With its tenacious celebration of strength in the face of unvanquishable, ruthless adversity, it rivals “Tristan and Isolde” in its heroes’ unabashed, iron will to die; {…}