Leah Hawkins, Elza van den Heever, J’Nai Bridges, Will Liverman, Soloman Howard Lead Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2026-27 Season

(Photo credits: Acosta, Brown, Simpson, Adjahoe) Philadelphia Orchestra announces its 2026-27 season. This article only features vocal concerts. Opening night features soloists Leah Hawkins, J’Nai Bridges, Issachah Savage, and Ryan Speedo Green in Beethoven “Symphony” No. 9. They are joined by the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir led by Joe Miller. The U.S. premiere of Hisaishi’s “Orbis” is also slated. Yannick Nézet-Séguin {…}

Dec 23, 2025

Sonya Yoncheva, Ailyn Pérez, Toni Marie Palmertree Headline Metropolitan Opera’s ‘Madama Butterfly’

(Credit: Metropolitan Opera / Ken Howard) Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” is set to return to the Metropolitan Opera for 15 performances. The Anthony Minghella production will open on Jan. 9 and run through March 28 with different casts. The January performances will feature Ailyn Pérez as Cio-Cio-San, tenor SeokJong Baek as Pinkerton, Hyona Kim as Suzuki and baritone Andrzej Filończyk as {…}

Jun 5, 2025

Opéra National de Paris 2024-25 Review: Manon

(Photo: ©-Sebastien-Mathe) After the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées’s “Werther,” it is now the turn of the Opéra National de Paris to stage a Massenet opera in Paris this year. It is reviving its production of “Manon,” directed by Vincent Huguet. Massenet wrote a grand French opera with its obligatory ballet in the second act. Nevertheless, the sensuality of his melodic line, {…}

Dec 29, 2024

Teatro Real de Madrid 2024-25 Review: Maria Stuarda (Cast A)

(Photo: After having opened the season with his production of “Adriana Lecouvreur,” David McVicar returned to Teatro Real for his new production of “Maria Stuarda,” co-produced with Teatre del Liceu, Donizetti Opera Festival-Bergamo and Finland National Opera. McVicar is one of the greatest directors of this generation and his productions are shown at major opera houses around the world. He {…}

Dec 14, 2023

Royal Opera House 2023-24 Review: ‘Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci’

(Photo: Marc Brenner) They go together like cookies and milk…like bacon and eggs…like Adam and Eve! Nooooooo! Not “Cav” and “Pag,” as the fans insist on calling the operas, but Roberto Alagna and Aleksandra Kurzak! The golden couple, currently on at the Royal Opera House in “Cavalleria Rusticana,” consolidated their positions as world class artists here with spellbinding performances from {…}

Nov 18, 2022

Andrzej Filończyk Returns to Poland for Recital

The Studiu Koncertowym Polskiego Radia is set to showcase a recital by baritone Andrzej Filończyk and pianist Michał Biel on Nov. 20, 2022. The concert will include Schumann’s “Dichterliebe” op. 48 and arias by Moniuszko, Bellini, Donizetti, Korngold, and Rossini. The concert marks Filończyk’s first Polish concert in six years. The baritone is a winner of the International Vocal Competition {…}

Oct 13, 2022

Jessica Pratt & Xabier Anduaga Lead Bilbao Opera’s ‘I Puritani’

The ABAO Bilbao Opera is set to open its 71st season with Bellini’s “I Puritani.” The production, which is set to run between Oct. 15 and 24 for four performances, will feature an all-star headed by Jessica Pratt and Xabier Anduaga. Andrzej Filończyk, Manuel Fuentes, Alejandro López, Josu Cabrero, and Laura Vila round out the cast. Giacomo Sagripanti is set {…}

Aug 15, 2022

Rossini Opera Festival 2022 Review: Le Comte Ory

(Photo: ROF/Amati Bacciardi) Pesaro’s Rossini Opera Festival kicked off its 43rd season in splendid style with a presentation of the composer’s “Le Comte Ory” conducted by Diego Matheuz and directed by Hugo De Ana, with a stellar cast which included Juan Diego Flórez, Julie Fuchs and Maria Kataeva. Not only did it prove to be a magical musical experience, but {…}

May 11, 2022

Royal Opera House 2021-22 Review: Don Pasquale

(Credit: © 2022 ROH. Bill Cooper) Damiano Michieletto’s new production of Gaetano Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” first hit the Royal Opera House stage in 2019, and now finds itself revived by Daniel Dooner. It’s a taut and challenging production of a work whose petty cruelties and incipient viciousness tend to be smoothed out by caricature, slapstick, and the desire to give {…}

Jan 3, 2022

Teatro Real Changes Cast For Performance of ‘La Bohème’ as COVID-19 Outbreak Swelling

(Credit: Teatro Real official website) The Teatro Real has announced a completely new cast for the performance of Puccini’s “La bohème” on Jan. 3, 2022. Per the official statement, Francesco Demuro replaced Andeka Gorrotxategi as Rodolfo, Ailyn Pérez replaced Eleonora Buratto in the role of Mimì, Javier Franco replaced Andrzej Filonczyk as Marcello, and Gabriel Bermúdez replaced Manel Esteve in {…}

Jan 2, 2022

Teatro Real Cancels ‘La Bohème’ Due to COVID-19 Outbreak

(Credit: Teatro Real official website) The Teatro Real has announced the cancelation of the performance of Puccini’s “La bohème” scheduled for Jan. 2, 2022, due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the house. The Teatro Real completely reshuffled the cast for the performance on Dec. 29, 2021, in an attempt to present the opera despite a growing number of COVID-19 cases. {…}