Benjamin Britten’s “Gloriana” was supposed to be one of his great triumphs. The composer himself is quoted, prior to its premiere in 1953, that he saw it as his best work to that point (he had already written “Billy Budd” and “Peter Grimes,” mind you). It was composed for the regal occasion of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. It was one {…}
This week we look at six different operas scattered around Europe that are sure to bring about unique experiences. Götterdämmerung – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Stephen Gould, Eric Halfvarson, and Iréne Theorin lead the final installment in Wagner’s Tetralogy. The opera, which will also be live streamed, is set to be conducted by Adam Fischer. It will also be the final performance {…}
Anna Caterina Antonacci has long been considered one of the most distinguished sopranos of her generation, performing a wide range of repertoire from Rossini and Bizet to Poulenc, Massenet, and Faure. The soprano has never taken the usual route and some of her unusual repertoire choices have distinguished her as a committed singer and risk taker. This week, Antonacci continues her {…}
La Monnaie has announced its 2018-19 season, featuring nine operatic productions and concert performances, as well as numerous recitals. As always the season will feature some of today’s greatest stars and rising stars. Here is a look at what the season will offer in vocal events. Operas “Die Zauberflöte” opens the season in a new production by director Romeo Castellucci {…}
This weekend will be filled with new productions, an opening night in Zurich and, as always, many great stars. Austria Olga Peretyatko-Mariotti headlines “La Traviata” at the Vienna State Opera with Jean-François Borras and Paolo Rumetz. At the Volksoper, “Die Zauberflöte,” “Gypsy” and “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” will be shown this weekend. Belgium Anna Caterina Antonacci will sing her signature {…}
The Teatro Real has finally announced its 2017-18 season, later than most other organizations. But the company has packed quite a punch for its upcoming showcase, with 13 operas on the docket. It all starts on Sept. 13 with Mozart’s rarely performed “Lucio Silla” directed by Claus Guth. The cast will be led by Patricia Petibon, who will sing five {…}
Easter Weekend is upon us and the opera companies around the world are doing their utmost to bring people to the theater. Here is a look at the things going around in the international opera scene. Austria Reiman’s “Medea” opens the weekend on Saturday at the Vienna State Opera with Claudia Barainsky, Stephanie Houtzeel, Monika Bohinec, Norbert Ernst, Adrian Eröd and {…}
Where one would expect the operatic double bill of “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci,” Teatro Comunale di Bologna instead opened last night’s double bill with Poulenc’s “La Voix Humaine” and Mascagni’s ever-famous verismo opera, “Cavalleria Rusticana,” appropriately placed with the approaching Easter season. La Voix Humaine “Voix Humaine,” set to music from Cocteau’s play of the same name, is described as {…}
It’s another busy weekend and many festivals are about to start including the Salzburg Osterfestpiele and the Baden Baden Osterfestpiele. Both these festivals will be headlined by some of the greatest singers in the world. Additionally many acclaimed runs continue. Austria “Medea” kicks off the weekend at the Vienna State Opera followed by Rossini’s “L’Italiana D’Algeri.” To conclude it all {…}
Anna Caterina Antonacci is regarded as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of our time. She has performed all over the world in diverse repertoire and has thrilled audiences with her dramatic acting and vocal fireworks. Recently she has been making waves in Poulenc’s “La Voix Humaine,” one of the most popular one-woman operas in the world. She has performed the {…}
Piotr Beczala encored “Pourquoi me réveiller” yesterday during the opening night performance of Massenet’s “Werther” at the Grand Theatre Liceu in Barcelona. The famed aria is one of the showstopping pieces in the opera but it is rare to hear an encore in this work. However, Beczala is the latest tenor in the past month to encore the aria. In {…}