(Photo credit: Keith Saunders) The designation of Lorenzo Da Ponte’s libretto for Mozart’s 1787 opera “Don Giovanni” is “dramma giocosa” – that is, playful or jocular drama. However, Don Giovanni (aka the legendary Don Juan) roamed Europe seducing women (2,065 of them by calculation of the servant Leporello in Mozart’s version of the tale), and the 19th century’s Romantics saw {…}
(Credit: Diana Guledani) 2022 was a year of difficulty for Andrei Kymach. His family were in Ukraine when Russia invaded, beginning a war which has now lasted for over nine months. The baritone immediately spoke out against the war and has continued to use his voice to bring attention to it. In many ways, he has become an operatic hero {…}
The Houston Grand Opera has announced its 2022–23 season featuring operatic productions. Here is a look. Verdi’s “La Traviata” opens the season with Angel Blue and Cecilia Violetta López sharing the title role. They are joined by Bryan Hymel, Ricardo Garcia, Andrei Kymach, and Anthony Clark Evans. Matthew Aucoin conducts the production by Arin Arbus. Performance Dates: Oct. 21-Nov. 8, 2022 Dame Ethel Smyth’s {…}
The Savonlinna Opera Festival has announced its 2022 festival, which will feature five operas and several concerts. First up will be a new production of Verdi’s “Aida” by director Phillipp Himmelmann who asserts that “’Aida’ must be retold, because the world has changed irrevocably.” The opera will star Adina Aaron and Helena Juntunen sharing the title role alongside Gaston Rivero, {…}
(Credits: Lauri Eriksson / Victor Santiago) The Savonlinna Opera Festival has announced its 2021 slate, which will include several opera productions and a recital by famed Finnish soprano Karita Mattila. Bizet’s opera “Carmen” will feature Amadi Lagha as Don José, Andrei Kymach and Tapani Plathan alternating in the role of Escamillo, and Tuija Knihtilä in the title role. Performance dates: {…}
The Opéra de Toulon in France has announced its 2020-21 season featuring seven productions. Karine Deshayes sings the title role of Rossini’s “Semiramide” alongside Teresa Iervolino, Philippe Talbot, and Mirco Palazzi. George Petrou conducts the concert performances. Performance Dates: Oct. 9 & 11, 2020 Ketevan Kemoklidze sings the title role of Bizet’s “Carmen” with Adriana González, Amadi Lagha, and Andrei {…}
The Ópera de Oviedo closed its 2019-20 season with Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor.” “Lucia di Lammermoor” is one of the most popular in the repertoire but also known for it challenging roles. Thankfully for this new production, Oviedo counted on some of the greatest interpreters of the work. With a surprising production, this was an evening to remember. The Diva {…}
(Credit: Jiyang Chen/ Robert Workman) Wigmore Hall has announced its 2020-21 Season with a number of recitals from some of the world’s greatest singers. The season will include a plethora of performances, including chamber music, song, piano, early music, contemporary music, and jazz. For this article, we will highlight singers. Some of the biggest highlights of the season will include {…}
This weekend is all about standard repertoire pieces with some of the world’s greatest stars. La Bohème – Opera de Monte Carlo, Monaco Daniele Callegari conducts Jean-Louis Grinda’s production of Puccini, Giacoso, and Illica’s most popular work. The cast stars acclaimed soprano Irina Lungu, Mariam Battistelli, Andeka Gorrotxategi, Davide Luciano, Boris Pinkhasovich, Nicolas Courjal, Fabrice Alibert, and Guy Bonfiglio. Lucia {…}
(Photo courtesy of Dallas Opera) In celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Hart Institute for Women Conductors, the Dallas Opera is set to present a showcase concert on Nov. 9, 2019 at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House. The performance will feature singers from Opera for Peace as well as the Dallas Opera. Among the 2019 conductors that {…}
(Credit: Official Facebook for BBC Cardiff Singer of the World) On June 22, Baritone Andrei Kymach was revealed as the winner of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2019 Competition. Katie Bray was announced as the “Audience Prize” winner. The prize was dedicated to the memory of Dmitri Hvorostovsky. The “Song Prize” winner, which was announced on Thursday, is {…}