(Photo: studio visuell) At 80-years-old, René Jacobs shows no signs of relinquishing his throne as the high priest of Baroque opera—a profound blessing for early music devotees. Following his acclaimed 2022 staged production with the Berlin Staatsoper Unter den Linden and Akamus, Jacobs has returned to “Il Giustino” (1724) for a European concert tour, this time partnering with the Freiburger {…}
(Photo: Donal Hackett) Following a busy weekend of events that included recitals, concerts, a workshop and an opera, the Sligo Baroque Festival concluded with a concert dedicated to the music of Vivaldi at the city’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in front of a packed audience. Entitled “Viva Vivaldi!,” the program included a number of orchestral and vocal works by the composer that culminated with a performance of his Gloria RV589. Dani {…}
(Photo: Birgit Gufler) Each year, the Innsbruck Early Music Festival presents its Oper: Jung, an opera performed by singers in the early stages of their careers, who recently made strong impressions at the festival’s Cesti competition. It is an event that rarely disappoints. Not only are the productions of a very high standard, but it is also exciting to watch {…}
(Photo: Ferdia Durkin) On the evening of Friday, September 26th, the Sligo Baroque Music Festival kicks off this year’s festival with a concert entitled “Corelliana” by the Vespres d’Amadi Baroque Orchestra, directed by Dani Espasa, at the city’s St. John’s Cathedral. As its name suggests, it is a festival dedicated to baroque music in all its forms, including opera. Although {…}
(Photo: Maria Albrechtsen Mortensen) The revival of interest in Vivaldi has seen numerous performances of his operas over recent years, of which his 1735 work, “Griselda,” has proven particularly popular. Reading through the libretto, however, may leave the reader slightly perplexed as to why a work with such an absurd plot, with little in the way of dramatic integrity and {…}
(Photo: Ross Kavanagh) This September, Northern Ireland Opera premieres its new production of Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin”, with its quality cast members directed by Cameron Menzies, and conducted by Dominic Limburg. This production looks certain to be another hit with local audiences, following its sell-out productions of “La Traviata” and “Tosca.” OperaWire met up with one of its stars, mezzo-soprano Sarah {…}
(Photo: Vincent Pontet) Paris is gearing up for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games, and a variety of Olympic-themed events are taking place throughout the city. In this context, Antonio Vivaldi’s opera “L’Olimpiade” is a must-see, with the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées showcasing a new production by Emmanuel Daumas. Belgian soprano Jodie Devos, who recently passed away untimely, was originally scheduled to {…}
(Photo: Michele Crosera) Having laughed, smiled and clapped its way through the opening night of Teatro La Fenice’s production of Vivaldi’s “Bajazet,” the audience greeted the artists at the final curtain with warm applause. However, it was not a reaction shared by everyone; the final notes had barely been played before some members of the audience were beating their way {…}
(Photo: Ros Kavanagh) Intricate and convoluted plots are not exactly rare in operas of the 17th and 18th centuries. Usually revolving around mistaken identities, complex love triangles, misunderstandings and deliberate deceptions that precipitate extreme emotions, their narratives career forward, plunging the protagonists into life-threatening and life-changing situations in which the gods, heroes and mythical characters often play their part. Vivaldi’s {…}
(Photo: Christopher Wallace) In 2021, OperaWire reviewed a splendid concert presentation of Handel’s “Ariodante” at the Göttingen Handel Festival. With a strong cast, which included star names such as Marie Lys and Emily Fons. Quality performances were certainly expected, and they did not disappoint. However, it was soprano Rachel Redmond, whom I had previously never heard sing, in the role {…}
John Ottman is slated to direct a film based on composer Antonio Vivaldi. Variety is reporting that the editor, composer, director and producer will team up with film and music industry executive David Franco to develop a dramatic biopic based on the life of the world-renowned Italian composer. Written by Kevin Lund and TJ Scott, the project has been long-gestating {…}