(Credit: LA Opera) This week the Metropolitan Opera will present the New York premiere of Philip Glass’ “Akhnaten,” the third Glass opera in the company’s repertoire. Among those appearing in the hotly anticipated Met premiere is rising mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges. Bridges has become one of the most important exponents of contemporary music, being featured in prominent productions of “Satyagraha” and {…}
Over the years, Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak has been moving into more dramatic and lyrical roles. After starting her career singing coloratura and Bel Canto roles like “Lucia di Lammoor” and the roles of Rossini, the soprano has continued to expand her repertoire, engaging with more Puccini and Verdi operas, among other heavier repertory. After taking on the role of {…}
(Credit: © 国家大剧院National Centre for the Performing Arts Davinia Rodríguez is one of Spain’s most acclaimed and beloved sopranos. She has sung in every major Spanish theater and around the world and has performed a range of repertoire that stretches from the great Bel Canto operas to the dramatic early Verdi roles, including her acclaimed Lady Macbeth. This week Rodríguez {…}
(Credit: Christian Leiber/ ONP) This week the Metropolitan Opera is set to open its classic production of “Madama Butterfly” with some of the opera’s greatest interpreters and some Met favorites. And with the cast comes a new Met star, Piero Pretti. Pretti, who has established himself throughout Europe since his 2006 professional debut, will make his Met debut in his signature {…}
(Credit: Virginia Opera) Tosca is the ultimate diva role. It’s the role most sopranos dream of singing because of its demands both as a singer and actress. This week the Virginia Opera will see rising star Ewa Plonka make her company debut in her very first “Tosca” performances. Plonka, a prize winner of such prestigious competitions as the Marcello Giordani {…}
(Credit: Robert Workman) Don Carlo is one of Verdi’s most complex works and one that the composer never quite resolved. There are so many versions performed to this day and editions that include unperformed music. However the work continues to be sought after due to its juicy and complex characters. The title role in particular is one that most tenors {…}
This week, the Maggio Musicale is set to open its 2019’20 season with an intriguing double bill. The two operas set to be presented will include Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” and the world premiere of Riccardo Panfili’s ‘”Noi, due, quattro…” with two very respected artists. But it is Panfili’s opera which will showcase two rising stars in the opera world. Paolo Antognetti {…}
The Ring Cycle is one of the biggest operatic undertakings in the operatic repertoire. It’s always a special event especially when it is being shown in a new production. It’s a chance for a conductor and director to reinterpret the gigantic tetralogy and an opportunity for audiences to see something new from the work. Such a mammoth undertaking also allows {…}
(Credit: Juan Diego Castillo) Few Colombian singers have reached the heights of bass-baritone Valeriano Lanchas. The Bogotá-born singer competed and won four international competitions including the Pavarotti International Voice Competition in 1995, Operalia in 2001, Licia Albanese-Puccini Fundation of New York 2001, and the Toto Dal Monte in Treviso, Italy in 2004. Since then his career grew and he has become {…}
(Credit: Kathryn Lewek Official Facebook) Kathryn Lewek is the reigning Queen of the Night. She has performed the role in every major theater including the Metropolitan Opera, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Bregenzer Festspiele, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington National Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, Teatro Real in Madrid, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Festival Castell de Peralada, Opera Leipzig, Opera de Toulon, English {…}
(Credit: Daniil Rabovsky) Cherubini’s “Medée” has never been a major repertory staple. After all the work requires a star soprano who can bring the drama to life not only through fearless singing, but equally potent acting. Maria Callas, for many, is the last truly iconic interpreter of the title role. For the new production by Simon Stone, the Salzburg Festival has {…}