(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 {…}
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 {…}
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 {…}
(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 {…}
(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 {…}
(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 {…}
(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. {…}
(Credit: Teatro Real official website) The Teatro Real in Madrid was forced to change a big part of the cast for the Dec. 29 presentation of Puccini’s “La bohème.” Per Platea Magazine, only two singers from the formerly announced cast have appeared onstage – Krzysztof Baczyk in the role of Colline, and Joan Martín-Royo as Schaunard. The company announced that {…}
(Credit: Andrey Uspensky) Opéra National de Paris has announced that mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina will perform the role of Rosina in Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” for the performances between May 30 – June 10, 2022. Akhmetshina joins a cast that includes René Barbera in the role of Count Almaviva, Renato Girolami as Bartolo, Alex Esposito as Don Basilio, Katherine Broderick {…}
(Credit: Chorégies d’Orange official website) Les Chorégies d’Orange Festival has announced its 2022 slate, featuring two operas and international stars. For the purpose of this article we will focus on vocal performances only. Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore” spotlights René Barbera as Nemorino, Andrzej Filończyk as Belcore, Erwin Schrott as Dulcamara, Anna Nalbandiants as Giannetta, and Pretty Yende as Adina. Giacomo Sagripanti {…}
(Photo Credits: Emma Birski / OnP) Opéra National de Paris has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is the full slate. Operas “The Seven Deaths of Maria Callas” by Marina Abramovic will open the season. The showcase stars Nadezhda Karyazina, Selene Zanetti, Leah Hawkins, Adela Zaharia, Lauren Fagan, Gabriella Reyes, and Hera Hyesang Park. Yoel Gamzou conducts. Performance dates: Sep. 1 {…}