(Photo: Ken Howard / Met Opera) The curtain rose on Egyptian tombs. In the center, a rope came down and with it an archeologist. As he reached the bottom to get off the rope, he fell to the ground, the sound of his body crashing over the delicate violins that opened the prelude to Verdi’s Aida.” That was not supposed {…}
As we wrap up 2024, here is a look back at some of the most-read articles of 2023. We will focus mainly on longer-form pieces like reviews and interviews for this article. Top 10 Most-Read Reviews of 2024 Metropolitan Opera Review of “Carmen“ Metropolitan Opera Review of “La Forza del Destino“ Metropolitan Opera Review of “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” Metropolitan Opera {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) This week, the Metropolitan Opera will premiere a new production of Verdi’s “Aida” after 36 years. Michael Mayer’s new production will replace Sonja Frisell’s legendary production and with it, the Met has lined up one of the most anticipated Aida’s of her generation, Angel Blue. Over the past seasons, the Met has been preparing {…}
(Credit: Paola Kudacki / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to present a new production of Verdi’s “Aida.” The new production will open on Dec. 31, 2024, and will be directed by Michael Mayer, who has already been in charge of the Met’s productions of “Grounded,” “Rigoletto,” “La Traviata,” and “Marnie.” This will be the first new production of {…}
The winners of the 64th annual Musical America Artist of the Year Awards have been announced. Conductor and soprano Barbara Hannigan has been named Artist of the Year for 2025. Hannigan made her conducting debut at age 40 at the Chatelet in Paris. She currently serves as the Principal Guest Conductor of Göteborgs Symfoniker, the Principal Guest Conductor of Orchester {…}
(Credit: Victoria Janashvilli) The Houston Symphony has announced a cast change for its Nov. 14 performance. The company said, “Angel Blue has regretfully withdrawn from this week’s performance of Michael Tilson Thomas Conducts Beethoven 9 on Nov. 14. We are grateful to Ellie Dehn for stepping in on short notice!” For her part, Dehn said, “I’m thrilled to join Houston {…}
Angel Blue is set to make her Arena di Verona debut only three years after she canceled due to a incident relating to the use of blackface in “Aida.” The company noted that she will sing the role of Violetta in “La Traviata” in performances on June 27, July 5, and 11, 2024. Back in 2022, the soprano canceled her {…}
The Arena di Verona has announced its 2025 season. Verdi’s “Nabucco” will get a new production. Stefano Poda will direct the new production. Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Youngjun Park, Luca Salsi, and Igor Golovatenko lead the cast that includes Anna Pirozzi, Maria José Siri, Anna Netrebko, and Olga Maslova as Abigaille, Francesco Meli and Galeano Salas as Ismaele. The cast is rounded out by Roberto {…}
(Credit: Paola Kudacki / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to present the company premiere of Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov and librettist David Henry Hwang’s “Ainadamar.” The opera will premiere on Oct. 15 and will be directed and choreographed by Brazilian Deborah Colker. When OperaWire saw the production at the Detroit Opera, John Vandevert said, “The evening was realized {…}
The Metropolitan Opera season is only one week away and with a new season comes anticipated new productions and revivals and will showcase some of the world’s best singers. So without further ado here are OperaWire’s most anticipated productions of the 2024-25 season. Ainadamar As listed in the 10 operas to see this fall, the Osvaldo Golijov is one of {…}
(Photo: Tosca © ROH 2024) One of the more frequent criticisms aimed at opera singers, by those not acquainted in any way with the art form, pertains to what it is, exactly, they do other than sing. In OperaWire’s interview with the Cavaradossi of this production, Russell Thomas, the tenor said of many critics: “it’s a career that everybody who {…}