(Credit: Javier del Real) In a recent review, I took stock of the Teatro Real de Madrid’s production of “Norma” and its first cast. But I also had the opportunity to check out the other cast of the work, including Hibla Gerzmava in her debut as the title character. Unfortunately, it was not the auspicious debut one would have imagined {…}
(Credit: Silvia Lelli) The Teatro Real de Madrid is one of the few theaters in the world that is currently performing for live audiences. The company has worked with performers and audiences to ensure the safety of everyone and still be able to bring culture in a socially distanced fashion. Annalisa Stroppa is one of the performers who is currently {…}
The Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy has announced its 2021 slate. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be on opera related performances. It all kicks off with “Daniel Hope & Friends II – Menuhin in London II” which will feature VOCES8 and violinist Daniel Hope as they take on music by Britten, Elgar, Tallis, Byrd, and many {…}
The holidays are in full swing and companies around the world are adapting their particular showcases to suit the festive mood. So for those wondering, yes, there will be a Messiah showcase, some Christmas concerts, a “Christmas” opera, and other performances that are sure to make the Yuletide all the more memorable. So without further ado, here are our top {…}
(Credits: Lauri Eriksson / Victor Santiago) The Savonlinna Opera Festival has announced its 2021 slate, which will include several opera productions and a recital by famed Finnish soprano Karita Mattila. Bizet’s opera “Carmen” will feature Amadi Lagha as Don José, Andrei Kymach and Tapani Plathan alternating in the role of Escamillo, and Tuija Knihtilä in the title role. Performance dates: {…}
The Teatro Grande di Brescia has announced a number of live streams for the month of December. For the purpose of this article, we will only focus on the vocal performances. The Teatro Grande will perform a “Carmen” recital featuring Francesco Meli as Don José, Annalisa Stroppa as Carmen, and Serena Gamberoni as Michaela. Alessandro Trebeschi will accompany on piano. {…}
The Donizetti Festival has become one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. It is a chance for audiences to discover unknown works from the bel canto master and experience the city where the great composer was born. There are operas, concerts, and family events. The city itself welcomes tourists from around the world and puts signs all over {…}
There’s no doubt that it hasn’t been an easy week in the opera world. With COVID-19 continuing to spread across the world at alarming rates, companies across Europe have entered a second lockdown, ending what many hoped would be a continuation of performances throughout the 2020-21 season. But it has not quite worked out that way. As such, online broadcasts {…}
The Fondazione Teatri di Piacenza has announced that the Verdi Requiem scheduled for Nov. 24 will be held without an audience. As a result, the performance will be streamed on the new platform Opera Streaming. Plácido Domingo will conduct the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini and the chorus of the Teatro Municipale di Piacenza. Soloists will include Maria José Siri, Annalisa Stroppa, Antonio {…}
(Credits: Marco Borggreve / Riccardo Frizza official website) Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced that Israeli coloratura soprano Hila Fahima Ruschin will take part in the Verdi – Wagner – Gala concert on December 18, 2020. Fahima Ruschin will join a cast that includes Sondra Radvanovsky, Annalisa Stroppa, Amartuvshin Enkhbat, and Günther Groissböck. The opera house has also announced that conductors {…}
(Credits: Michael Cooper / ©Neda Navaee / Ray Burmiston/Decca Classics / Kristen Hoebermann / Clémentine Margaine official website / Algirdas Bakas) Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its November and December 2020 schedule, which will spotlight a number of international opera stars. Here is the full slate. Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” will feature Philippe Talbot, Noel Bouley, Aigul Akhmetshina, Thomas {…}