Over the past years, Vittorio Grigolo has become one of the biggest stars in the opera world for his magnetic and charismatic stage presence. His performances have been heralded by critics in numerous lyric roles including Nemorino in “L’Elisir d’Amore,” Edgardo in “Lucia di Lammermoor,” Rodolfo in “La “Boheme,” and Hoffmann in “Les Contes d’Hoffmann.” And now the tenor is {…}
LThe Teatro La Fenice continues its 2016-17 season presenting a rarely heard Rossini work, “L’Occasione fa il Ladro.” The work, which is rarely performed, requires agility and virtuosic coloratura that can give any artist a chance to shine. And this week, rising star Rocio Perez continues her ascent in the opera world, taking on her first Berenice. Perez is no {…}
Liana Aleksanyan has had a rollercoaster year making an unexpected debut at the Teatro alla Scala and establishing herself as one of the most acclaimed Cio-Cio Sans of her generation. This week she continues her ascension in the opera world headlining “Aida” at the Macerata Opera Festival. The assumption of Aida brings Aleksanyan to another stage in her career as she takes {…}
Leah Crocetto is known for her work in Verdi’s spinto roles as well as her interpretation of my Puccini operas. She has garnered acclaim in this repertoire and is among the rising stars in the opera world. However, this weekend she steps out of these boundaries and moves into the realm of Bel Canto for her role debut as Eleonora {…}
Jonas Kaufmann is quite frankly the most famous tenor in the world. Ever since his breakout, audiences have followed Kaufmann’s career transition from the lyric repertoire to the most dramatic pieces in the tenor fach. And this week Kaufmann adds what most consider the Mount Everest of all tenor roles, “Otello.” It is considered the most difficult role by tenors {…}
Plácido Domingo needs no introduction. He not only holds the record for most roles sung in opera for a single individual, but also has a lengthy career that has spanned half a century. And this week he celebrates his 50th anniversary at the Vienna State Opera in a special gala. The tenor made his debut at the Vienna State Opera {…}
Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” is one of the most heartbreaking operas and a staple of the repertoire. It has also become the vehicle for Ermonela Jaho, the Albanian soprano who is now associated with the role and has performed it throughout the world. After conquering major theaters in New York, London, Bologna, Paris and Venice, Jaho makes her Washington National Opera debut {…}
Donizetti’s “Maria Stuarda” is one of the prima donna assoluta roles in the repertoire and one of the most difficult in Bel Canto. This week Marina Rebeka continues her exploration into this repertoire as she makes her stage role of the opera debut at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. Earlier in January, the soprano made her role debut in a {…}
Charisma, vocal beauty and intelligence are just some qualities that describe Angel Joy Blue. A lyric soprano who has conquered many of the leading opera companies in the world is about to embark in yet another journey performing Robert Schumann’s oratory “Paradise and the Peri.” Schumann is more known for his symphonic works as well as piano, cello and solo works. {…}
It’s not easy to become an overnight success in the opera world, much less a superstar. However, Sonya Yoncheva is already being called the successor to the great divas of both the past and present. Over the past year Yoncheva has expanded her repertoire immensely and this week she adds the role of Tatiana in Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” at {…}