This week the Opernahus Zürich will open a new production of Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena,” continuing its Tudor cycle with director David Alden furthering his exploration of the queens after receiving rave reviews for “Maria Stuarda.” Despite Alden’s prominence in the director’s chair there’s no doubt that the spotlight of this production will shine most fiercely on soprano Diana Damrau as {…}
Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble is set to perform a concert dedicated to excerpts from Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena” on Oct. 30, 2021. The showcase, which kicks off at 3 p.m. ET at Isham Park in Inwood, New York, will feature Ellen Teufel as Anna Bolena with Kayla Faccilongo as her rival Giovanna. In the role of Anna’s lover Perc will be Fredrick {…}
Sonya Yoncheva has announced she will sing two new roles next season. The soprano took to social media to announce that she will sing the role of Cio-Cio San at the Royal Opera House and she will make her role debut as Anna Bolena at the Theatre des Champs-Elysee. She also noted that she will make her Gran Teatre del {…}
(Credit: The Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre official website) The Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre has issued a statement regarding strategic changes the company has made since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Per the press release, the company said that it has recently turned to TikTok to reach a new audience during the lockdown, a move was {…}
(Credit: © D.R) Opera director Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera has died at the age of 72. Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera was born in the capital of Italy. He studied law and music in Rome, and at the same time pursued directing with the University Theatre in Rome. He directed his first operas in 1983 and was subsequently invited by the {…}
Many times the final moments of a piece of art are the ones that leave the audience with the biggest impression. It may be the final image of a film or the final bars of a musical work. In the bel canto repertoire, the final impression is generally left by whether a singer hits a certain high note, be it {…}
Francesca Sassu and Raffaella Lupinacci’s long-awaited debuts at the Lithuanian Opera in “Anna Bolena” proved quite a unique experience for both artists. Namely due to COVID-19. The Italian singers were set to perform the work for the first time in August until they tested positive for the virus. As a result, the company postponed the opening of the production while {…}
At a press conference that took place two days prior to the opening night, Sesto Quatrini, the art-director of LNOBT and musical director of this production, stood there all alone. One could not fault him if he had been in a cautious mood. After all, he had to contend with postponed premieres, the constant closing of the theater, and a {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced Week 7 of its weekly streams. This week’s slate will feature Donizetti’s Tudor Trilogy in addition to showcasing a rare modern opera and a Russian classic. But the big surprise this week will be the showcase of a legendary performance starring Leontyne Price, suggesting that the company will start to showcase some of its historic {…}
Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble has announced its 2020 Festival, which will feature two operas under the theme of “Love For Truth.” The first opera of the festival will be “Juana,” which will be directed by Rod Gomez with Christ Fecteau as conductor and music director. This series of perfomrances will represent the East Coast premiere of the opera by composer Carla {…}
The Longborough Festival Opera has announced its 2019 slate. Everything kicks off with “Das Rheingold,” which will kick off the company’s four-year plan to mount the Ring. The production will feature Mark Stone, Darren Jeffery, Mark Le Brocq, Madeleine Shaw, and Simon Wilding among others. Amy Lane directors and Anthony Negus conducts. Performance Dates: June 5-11, 2019 Wagner’s epic will {…}