Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Ludovic Tézier, Marina Rebeka, Elīna Garanča, Jessica Pratt, Luca Salsi, Aleksandra Kurzak & Francesco Meli Lead Maggio Musicale Fiorentino’s 2027 Season

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced its 2027 season. Opera Kristina Mkhitarian star in Verdi’s “La Traviata” with Anthony Ciaramitaro, Luca Salsi, and Min Kim. Performance Dates: Jan. 15-22, 2027 Baldassarre Galuppi’s “Il mondo alla roversa o sia le donne che comandano” will star finalists of the International Pietro Antonio Cesti Baroque Singing Competition in Innsbruck. Chiara Cattani conducts the {…}

Jan 12, 2026

Cast Change: Anja Kampe Replaces Nina Stemme in Bayerische Staatsoper’s ‘Parsifal’

The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of “Parsifal.” The company said that Nina Stemme has withdrawn from the production and will be replaced by Anja Kampe. Kampe is a well-known Wagnerian soprano who has performed at the Bayreuth Festival, Metropolitan Opera, Glyndebourne LA Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, and Bayerische Staatsoper. She is set to join a {…}

Mar 5, 2025

Opéra de Monte-Carlo 2025 Review: Tristan und Isolde

(Photo: OMC Marco Borrelli) On Sunday March 2nd, 2025, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo presented a concert performance of Act two of Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde.” The concert was billed as a prelude to the annual music festival Le Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo, which will open on March 12th. The evening began with the {…}

Feb 26, 2025

Staatsoper Hamburg 2025 Review: Ariadne auf Naxos

(Photo: Monika Ritterhaus / Courtesy of Staatsoper Hamburg) Dmitri Tcherniakov‘s new production of “Ariadne auf Naxos” at Staatsoper Hamburg rounds out his visual and thematic arc from “Elektra” and “Salome,” ending the Strauss trilogy. Once again, Tcherniakov sets the drama within the same apartment building. The apartment now is simply refinished in a lavish Prussian blue with golden accents, and {…}

Oct 23, 2024

San Francisco Opera 2024-25 Review: Tristan und Isolde

(Credit: Cory Weaver) Whether you view Richard Wagner’s opera, “Tristan und Isolde,” as an expressive tale of universal human redemption or simply a unique take on the many medieval romances of love and death, there is no question it casts a spell. In the opening of San Francisco’s new production by Paul Curran, conducted by San Francisco’s own Eun Sun {…}

Sep 27, 2024

Simon O’Neill & Anja Kampe Lead San Francisco Opera’s ‘Tristan und Isolde’

San Francisco Opera is set to present Richard Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde.” The opera is set to be presented between Oct. 19 and Nov. 5 for five performances under the baton of Caroline H. Hume Music Director Eun Sun Kim. Paul Curran makes his company debut directing a cast that will be led by Wagnerian interpreters Simon O’Neill and Anja {…}

Jul 28, 2024

Karen Slack, Aigul Akhmetshina, Anja Kampe & Luciano Pavarotti Lead New CD/DVD Releases

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week audiences will get to hear two high anticipated album debuts by two celebrated performers. There are also reissues and the completion of an acclaimed Ring Cycle. O Sole Mio – Reissue Decca Classics reissues Luciano Pavarotti’s classic album. The album showcases {…}

Jun 8, 2024

Saioa Hernández, Anja Kampe, Pumeza Matshikiza Lead New CD/DVD Releases

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week there will be two choices of Ring Cycles and a debut album by one of the greatest opera singers in the world. Carlos Simon: Songs of Separation The National Symphony Orchestra led by Music Director Gianandrea Noseda releases “Songs of Separation,” {…}

May 29, 2024

Anna Netrebko, Cecilia Bartoli, Pretty Yende, Jonas Kaufmann, Roberto Alagna & Benjamin Bernheim Lead Opéra de Monte-Carlo’s 2024-25 Season

The Opéra de Monte-Carlo has announced its 2024-25 season. Festival Centenaire Puccini Giacomo Sagripanti conducts Puccini’s “La Rondine“ in Concert. Pretty Yende, Charles Castronovo, Deanna Breiwick, Juan Francisco Gatell, and Roberto de Candia. Performance Date: Oct. 30, 2024 Anna Netrebko, Nino Machaidze, Mariam Battistelli, Yusif Eyvazov, and Florian Sempey lead Puccini’s “La Bohème.” Biagio Pizzuti, Giorgi Manoshvili, and Matteo Peirone {…}

Feb 20, 2024

Michael Fabiano, Anja Kampe, Irene Roberts, Eve Maud Hubeaux, Matthew Polenzani Headline San Francisco Opera’s 2024-25 Season

San Francisco Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. The season opens with the “Opera Ball.” Performance Dates: Sept. 6, 2024 The first opera production is “Un Ballo in Maschera” starring Michael Fabiano, Lianna Haroutounian, Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Judit Kutasi, and Meigui Zhang. Eun Sun Kim conducts a production directed by Leo Muscato. Performance Dates: Sept. 6-27, 2024 There will also be an “Opera {…}

Oct 24, 2023

Jessica Pratt, Simon O’Neill & Natalya Romaniw Lead New CD/DVD Releases

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. In this edition, a leading Bel Canto interpreter delves into mad scenes with her new alum while a rarely performed opera by a female composer gets a new release. There is also a special Wagner recording out this week. Rheinberger & Mendelssohn Choral {…}