(Credit: Askonas Holt /Gregor Röhrig / Julien Fauguere / Chris Singer) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a major change to its 2020-21 season, adding several productions to the slate. New Productions The company will world premiere “7 Deaths of Maria Callas” on Sept. 1, 2020. The opera had previously been slated to have its first performances at the tail-end of {…}
(Credit: Lena Kern/Sonya Garza/Yan Bleney) With the opera world as we know it going silent, opera houses have begun streaming performances from their archives. Companies have released dress rehearsals, archival audio, and in many cases launched streaming services that show off today’s greatest performers. It’s been, in many ways, a group effort to keep opera fans continuously entertained in this {…}
(Credit: Birgit Hart) Angela Brower has canceled her Feb. 28, 2020 performance of Massenet’s “Cendrillon” at the Stadttheater Klagenfurt. The mezzo-soprano announced via social media that due to illness she would be able to perform the role. As a result, I Chiao Shih will take over the role. Shih is an ensemble member at the Theater Ulm and has performed {…}
The Opéra de Bordeaux has announced its 2019-20 season featuring numerous new productions, great stars and a number of acclaimed recitals. Eric Cutler and Adam Smith share the title role in Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” with Jessica Pratt singing the four heroines, Nicolas Cavallier as the four villains, and Aude Extrémo as Nicklausse. Marc Minkowski conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 19-Oct. 1, 2019 Marianne Crebassa {…}
May 1, 1786. That is the day that, for many, the greatest opera of all-time had its very first performance. “Le Nozze di Figaro” has held the stage ever since, performed by all the great interpreters all over the world. The work has also developed a healthy discography over the ages both on audio and visual media, making it impossible {…}
The Dutch National Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring a number of new productions, one world premiere, two company premieres, and a many role debuts by some of the top artists in the world. The season opens with “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” in a new production by Robert Carsen. Brandon Jovanovich stars as Canio in Leoncavallo’s masterpiece alongside Ailyn Pérez {…}
The Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg hosts Mozart Week annually on or around Mozart’s birthday (Jan. 27) in celebration of the composer’s contributions to the world of music. The lineup for Mozart Week 2020, which will be held Jan. 23 – Feb. 2, has been announced. For the purposes of this article, we will highlight vocal performances and anything else opera-related. The {…}
As January continues, many of the opera companies are back in session with a number of revivals and new productions on offer. The focus of this weekend’s major choices will be numerous repertory standards. Arabella – Théâtre des Champs Elysées, France Anja Harteros sings her signature role alongside a cast that includes Kurt Rydl, Doris Soffel, Hanna-Elisabeth Müller, and Michael Volle. {…}
Let’s run around the world, or more specifically, let’s run off to South America and Europe for five performances that are simply unmissable! Pelléas et Mélisande – Teatro Colón, Argentina Debussy’s only opera gets a new production in Buenos Aires by Susana Gómez. Italian tenor Giuseppe Filianoti returns to the opera stage in the title role alongside Verónica Cangemi and David Maze. Enrique {…}
The Teatro Mayor and the Opera de Colombia are set to present the Colombian premiere of Strauss’”Der Rosenkavalier.” Known for its challenging production values, the work has only been presented in two countries in Latin America – Brazil, and Argentina. Now under the musical direction of Josep Caballé-Domenech and the direction of Alejandro Chacón, the work will arrive in Bogotá {…}
Its a big week for Colombian audiences. Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier” will make its Colombian premiere at the Teatro Mayor and not only is it being performed with some of the biggest European names in the world, it’s also be fully staged in a lavish traditional production. Among the many performers that will align for the premiere is Angela Brower, an American mezzo who {…}