This week two new audio recordings of rarely performed works are being released, as are two DVDs of performances that were met with acclaim last summer. Stabat Mater Gloriae Dei Cantores performs Arvo Pärt’s acclaimed “Stabat Mater.” Richard K. Pugsley conducts the famed masterwork which also includes a number of major choral works. Naxos and GDC Recordings unveil the upcoming {…}
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown theaters around the world, the Metropolitan Opera has announced not one but two weeks of nightly streams in advance. The next few weeks feature a mix of more recent performances with some classic showcases from decades ago. Here’s the rundown. Monday, May 25 – Berlioz’s La Damnation de Faust Conducted by James {…}
The Arena di Verona has announced its 2021 season, which will feature several notable performances with some of opera’s greatest stars. It all kicks off with a 150th anniversary celebration of the 1871 world premiere of Verdi’s “Aida.” The opera will be conducted by Riccardo Muti with Sonya Yoncheva in the title role alongside Francesco Meli, Riccardo Zanellato, Luca Salsi, {…}
Anna Netrebko is giving her fans a little preview of her upcoming role debut in Verdi’s “Nabucco.” Over the past two days the soprano has posted stories of her rehearsing different sections of the opera in her apartment in Vienna. Now she has posted a video of the second act aria “Anch’io dischiuso un giorno” and Abigaille’s entrance in the {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced the 10th week of its nightly streams. Here is a rundown of all the performances which includes two classic performances. Monday, May 18 – Mozart’s Idomeneo Conducted by James Levine, starring Nadine Sierra, Elza van den Heever, Alice Coote, and Matthew Polenzani. Transmitted live on March 25, 2017. Tuesday, May 19 – Wagner’s Lohengrin – {…}
Les Grandes Voix has announced its 2020-21 season, which is one of the most superstar-laden programs of the year. Soprano Sabine Devielhe and pianist Alexandre Tharaud kick off the season in a program of music by Fauré, Debussy, Poulenc, and Ravel. Performance Dates: Sept. 13 (Wigmore Hall); Sep 19 (Victoria Hall, Geneva); Sept. 30 (Berlin Philharmonie); Nov. 23 (Bordeaux Auditorium) {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced its massive 2020-21 season. Here is a rundown. Premieres Philippe Jordan conducts Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly“ in Anthony Minghella’s acclaimed production. The production from 2005 arrived in Vienna with Asmik Grigorian in the title role, Virginie Verrez, Freddie De Tommaso, and Boris Pinkhasovich. In January, Grigorian is joined by Noa Beinart and Marcelo Puente. A third {…}
The Metropolitan Opera’s At-Home Gala was one of the most hotly anticipated performances of the first half of 2020; one might argue that given its sheer star power, the showcase, which was announced just two weeks ago, was more anticipated than any performance the Met had lined up as part of its regular season. While the Met initially reneged on {…}
The Metropolitan Opera’s At Home Gala is undeniably one of the most hotly anticipated event since the social distancing measures kicked off just a little over one month ago. The event is set to feature close to 40 artists from around the world and recent reports indicate that a great deal of preparation has gone into making this a memorable {…}
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 {…}
Credit: Spinto/Javier del Real/Nicola Allegri/Julian Hargraves/ Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Classical While the continued quarantine is undoubtedly becoming increasingly challenging for many, there is some relief in knowing that there is opera to check out on a daily basis. What’s more the offerings are becoming increasingly diverse in their range of repertory and content, which allows opera audiences to curate unique {…}