The Met Opera will kick off its Live in HD series this Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, with a performance of Verdi’s “Aida.” The broadcast, which kicks off 12:55 p.m. Eastern time, will showcase star soprano Anna Netrebko in the title role; this is just the second production of the famed opera that she takes on. This is the first of {…}
Verdi’s “Aida” is the quintessential opera in so many ways. It features a larger than life story in an exotic world alongside some of the greatest music ever written. In a house like the Met Opera, this work is also featured in an impressive and immersive set tailored to bringing us to some version of Ancient Egypt. This current production {…}
As the holiday season approaches, a number of new releases will be available this week. Last week we saw the releases of new albums by Renée Fleming, Joyce DiDonato, and the world premiere recording of Anton Rubenstein’s “Moses” and this week’s offerings include an homage to Dmitri Hvorostovsky, a new release for Jonas Kaufmann, a new collaboration between two major {…}
Sony Classical has announced the release of Jonas Kaufmann’s Waldebuhne concert. The concert, which was held on July 13, 2018, and later broadcast on ZDF, saw Kaufmann performing a number of Italian songs from his album “Dolce Vita” and also included a special appearance from Anita Rachvelshvili, who performed alongside the tenor. Both performers were accompanied by the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin. The DVD is {…}
This week we see the release of two full operas and a compilation by Anna Netrebko. Here is a look at what this week will offer. Il Trovatore The Royal Opera and Opus Arte will release a production of Verdi’s ‘Il Trovatore” starring Gregory Kunde, Anita Rachvelshvili, Lianna Haroutounian, and Vitaly Bilyy. Richard Farnes conducts the production, which was directed {…}
In a weekend of classics, there will be new productions opening, some revivals, and others closing. And then there will be a gala with one of a legendary sopranos who has surpassed all expectations. Here is a look! Gala Konzert – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Edita Gruberova offers a gala concert featuring music from “La Traviata,” “Don Giovanni,” “Die Entführung aus dem {…}
“Il Trovatore” never fails. From one note to the next, we have glory, love, pain, revenge, daring. Verdi didn’t miss. Say what you want about the twisting melodrama of a gypsy, a curse, stolen babies, a woman caught between two lovers. When you come down to it, you have opera to shout over. Last night at the Opéra National de {…}
This spring, the French Institute Alliance Française, New York’s premiere French cultural center, and the American Friends of the Paris Opera & Ballet will present HD screenings of opera and ballet performances from the Paris Opera & Ballet for the first time in New York City. New Yorkers will have the opportunity to see “Millepied/Robbins/Balanchine” on Sunday, May 20, and “Samson et Dalila” {…}
The Opera de Monte-Carlo has announced its 2018-19 season, featuring a number of important stars and numerous productions. Here is a look at the unique season Monte Carlo will offer. The season opens with an evening entitled Opera-Comique at the Chapelle Musicale Reine-Elizabeth. Performance Dates: Oct. 13-14, 2018 A screening of “La Veuve Joyeuse” continues the season. Performance Dates: Oct. 25, {…}
This weekend, the opera world will see a major role debut from a major star, as well as a number of singers continuing runs of role debuts and house debuts. There will also be a concert performance of a rarely performed Verdi work. Il Trovatore – Finnish National Opera, Finland Aquiles Machado sings the title in Verdi’s ever-popular opera alongside {…}
Three new albums come to stores this week by some of the most popular artists currently working in opera. Juan Diego Flórez explores a new role while Anita Rachvelishvili releases her debut album. Finally, Max Emmanuel Cencic continues his exploration into early music. Werther Juan Diego Flórez surprised audiences last season when he made his role debut as Massenet’s tragic {…}