Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” is one of the most difficult operas in the repertoire. It’s rarely performed for its sheer scale and the singers it requires. However, many of its arias and duets are well-known and it is an opera many singers dream of performing. This week, the work returns to the Opéra de Paris with an strong cast and {…}
Moving from Bel canto to Verdi is a common thread for most young singers. Verdi is the dream as his works are some of the masterworks of the canon. For Enea Scala, the dream of singing Verdi is coming true as he starts to take on his third opera by the composer. After singing Alfredo in “La Traviata” and Fenton {…}
This week the Wiener Staatsoper is set to open one of most anticipated productions of the 2018-19 season. The production is especially anticipated as it features a stellar cast with three of the most acclaimed dramatic sopranos currently performing in the world. Specifically, Nina Stemme is set for her role debut as the Barak’s wife, a role that is especially {…}
Ekaterina Bakanova is one of today’s rising stars, performing some of the most demanding roles in the lyric repertoire and making important house debuts around the world. In the past few years, she has steadily conquered such houses as the Royal Opera House, Semperoper Dresden, Wexford Opera Festival, Teatro La Fenice, and Teatro Regio di Torino. This week she will {…}
This month Marina Monzó returns to the Opera de las Palmas for the first time since 2017 when she made her debut. Back in 2017, the 25-year-old soprano made her debut in the role of Sophie in “Werther” and was just beginning her career. She had just won a number of competitions and was slowly beginning to make a name {…}
This week baritone Lucia Lucas will break a glass ceiling in the United States by becoming the first trans woman to perform a principal role on the operatic stage in the U.S. Lucas will make her U.S. debut at the Tulsa Opera singing the title role of “Don Giovanni” after taking Europe by storm over the years. Lucas has reached {…}
Riccardo Frizza is one of today’s leading conductors specializing in the Italian repertoire and bringing a fresh and unique approach to the Bel Canto style. Throughout the past years he has reinvigorated the repertory, finding new critical editions and performing complete versions without the standard cuts. He has also performed rarely performed works while bringing new subtleties to standard pieces. {…}
Ryan McKinny continues to rise the ranks as one of the great American bass-baritones of his time and this week he makes his second role debut of the season in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” He will be featured in a new production for the Houston Grand Opera. Throughout the past years, McKinny has had a career mixed with classic works by {…}
Puccini was known for his tragic operas and melodic genius as well as his exploration of musical landscapes. And then “Gianni Schicchi” came along, showing the composer’s ability to expand beyond drama with one of the most important comedies in the repertoire. The title role became synonymous with numerous baritones as it gave them the ability to explore their versatility {…}
Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda” is one of the staples of the dramatic soprano repertoire and is considered one of the most difficult roles in the repertoire. It is also a difficult opera to present on stage and for that reason throughout the past years it has increasingly become a rarity in the standard repertoire. Now, 14 years after its last presentation, {…}
“Lakmé” is perhaps one of the most recognized operas in the world. While it is rarely performed, its Bell Song and Flower duet have been sung by every major lyric and coloratura soprano. So when the opera actually graces the stage, it is always an event and one that requires a soprano who is capable of singing the immensely difficult {…}
