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 {…}
Half way through the second act of Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena,” Giovanna Seymour enters the prison cell of Anna Bolena in an attempt to save her from the execution block by getting her to admit that she is guilty of adultery, precipitating a musical and dramatic confrontation between the two rivals for Enrico’s love. It is a confrontation of epic proportions, {…}
It’s hard to find the right voice for the Bel Canto repertoire. A great Bel Canto singer needs flexibility, bright high notes, immense breath control, and impeccable phrasing. And of course, a singer needs to have great command of expression, otherwise, the music can easily fall flat. Many singers attempt to put all this together, but few actually have the complete package, {…}