(Credit: Javier del Real) This week the Teatro Villamarta de Jerez is set to present a new production of Massenet’s “Manon” with some of Spain’s leading singers. Among them is Sabina Puértolas who will make her highly anticipated role debut. Ever since 2001, when she made her Teatro alla Scala debut under Riccardo Muti, Puértolas has been one of the {…}
Natalya Romaniw is considered one of Europe’s most promising stars. In the past few years, her profile has risen with many considering her the soprano of her “Generation” and going as far as to consider her the “British Anna Netrebko.” Now after making a name for herself in the U.K., the soprano is returning to Houston Grand Opera, where she {…}
On Jan. 6 the New Orleans Opera is set to present “An Homage to Josephine Baker,” an evening that will include Tom Cipullo’s “Josephine” and the world premiere of the ballet “Josephine.” The performances are sold out and are part of New Orleans Opera’s mission to increase access to the art form for all New Orleanians and to produce more {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) On Dec. 31 the Metropolitan Opera will premiere a new production of “Rigoletto” featuring Met veterans and newcomers. It will also mark the first time, Quinn Kelsey, one of the Met’s stars headlines a production. Kelsey, who made his Met debut in 2008 as Schaunard in “La Bohème,” has appeared in over 70 performances {…}
On Dec. 23, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino will open a new production of “Fidelio” with an all-star cast. The production will feature some of the best interpreters of the work and some new to his repertoire, none perhaps moreso than Italian soprano Francesca Aspromonte. Following years of singing baroque music, Aspromonte take on Marzelline in Beethoven’s only opera. The role {…}
On Dec. 17, the Teatro Mayor Julio Santo Domingo in Bogota will present a new production of “Tosca” with an international cast and international conductor. Among the cast members is British tenor Adam Smith who will sing the role of Cavaradossi. Smith will make his debut at the prestigious Colombian house in a role he debuted earlier this year at {…}
(Credit: Teatro alla Scala / Brescia – Amisano) One of the most important days on the opera world calendar is the opening of the Teatro alla Scala. Big stars. New productions. At the close of the calendar year. All at the world’s most legendary opera house. No surprise that this year is as big as any other with the company {…}
This week the Opernahus Zürich will open a new production of Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena,” continuing its Tudor cycle with director David Alden furthering his exploration of the queens after receiving rave reviews for “Maria Stuarda.” Despite Alden’s prominence in the director’s chair there’s no doubt that the spotlight of this production will shine most fiercely on soprano Diana Damrau as {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) On Nov. 23, the Metropolitan Opera will make history premiering Matthew Aucoin and Sarah Ruhl’s “Eurydice.” Aucoin will make history as the youngest composer to have a Met premiere since 1938. But this opera will also mark the first time that soprano Erin Morley headlines a brand new production at the Metropolitan Opera. Morley {…}
On Nov. 19, the English National Opera will open a new Ring Cycle. The production will mark the first time the company stages the monumental tetralogy in more than 15 years. Taking on this major task is director Richard Jones. Jones first staged Wagner’s Cycle in 1989 at the Scottish Opera before bringing his take in 1993 to the Royal {…}
On Nov. 14, the Teatro Comunale di Bologna will finally open a new production of Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur.” The production by Rosetta Cucchi was previously filmed as a movie in Bologna during the time theaters were shuttered due to COVID-19. Now after almost a year of delays, the show will go on and soprano Kristine Opolais will get to make {…}