With the holiday season approaching, this will be filled with numerous DVDs and CDs to choose from. Many of opera’s top star in the releases including Sonya Yoncheva, Rolando Villazón and Renée Fleming. Norma Bel Canto fans will be treated to a new Norma from the Royal Opera House with a stellar cast. Sonya Yoncheva stars in the Mount Everest {…}
On Saturday, Oct. 21, Sir Antonio Pappano, soprano Barbara Hannigan, and the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (Rome) presented an impressive program with two pieces from opposite ends of the musical spectrum. The world-class orchestra, combined with Pappano’s infectious energy, brought the hall to life. It has become common practice among orchestras to mix up the evening by programming {…}
As is the case with a number of major opera houses around the world, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden is presenting Puccini’s “La Bohème.” And is often the case with all of these major companies, there are so many performances of this beloved opera, 25 in total spread across the fall and summer, that it can be tough to {…}
On August 31, 2017, opera fans will get a first glimpse of Richard Jones’ new Royal Opera production of Puccini’s “La bohème” during a livestreamed Insight event. The event will be livestreamed on the Royal Opera House’ Youtube channel and the company’s website. During the insight event members of the cast and creative team, will give a taste of the anticipated new production {…}
For months there has been speculation as to whether or not Jonas Kaufmann would show up to the Royal Opera House’s upcoming production of Verdi’s “Otello.” Antonio Pappano, however, doesn’t seem to be anxious at all. In an interview with Times UK, the conductor revealed that he believes Kaufmann’s cancellations of the past months will be beneficial for him taking on {…}
As is the case with the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House popularly shares its work with audiences in cinemas around the world. This season, the company is presenting six operas throughout the season. The cinema showcase kicks off on Sept. 20 with a performance of “Die Zauberflöte” with Julia Jones in the pit and a cast that includes Roderick Williams, {…}
The 2017 Grammy awards have been handed out with many surprises in the Classical categories. Pentatone Music went home with two Grammys for Corigliano’s “The Ghosts Of Versailles.” The categories included Best Opera Recording and Best Engineered Album. Among the winners in the categories for engineering were Mark Donahue, Fred Vogler & David L Williams. The performers who won for Best Opera Recording {…}
Verdi’s “Don Carlo” makes its return to La Scala for the first time in decades in its five act version. For many this is the best version of the opera, but the bottom line is that there is no such thing as a real version of the opera with differing versions having different strengths. The work premiered in 1867. Heavy {…}
He has described his work as a conductor to that of “football” manager. He hates the label “eliticism” when referring to the world of opera, instead seeing it as an art for everyone. He loves all kinds of music and was once a lounge-bar pianist. If there is one thing that you can admire about Antonio Pappano, who was born {…}
This week opera fans will be excited to look back at some of the most acclaimed recordings as Warner Classics will re-release a number of classic opera recordings. Angela Gheorghiu’s recital recordings For years Gheorghiu was one of Warner Classics most beloved artists. She recorded numerous complete operas and numerous recital recordings including her final one which was an homage {…}
The Grammy Nominations have been announced with many of today’s biggest stars shortlisted. In the Best Opera Recording category Pentatone Music led the field with two nominations as the record label was shortlisted for James Conlon’s recording of John Corigliano’s “The Ghosts Of Versailles.” The recording stars Joshua Guerrero, Christopher Maltman, Lucas Meachem, Patricia Racette, Lucy Schaufer and Guanqun Yu. The Los {…}