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 {…}
For the last few years, Vittorio Prato has become one of the most promising baritones in opera. He has specialized in the bel canto repertory, singing leading roles in Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini operas, as well as Mozart. However, in recent times, he has slowly moved into verismo roles. He has also sung in many of the leading theaters in the world, {…}
Ever since winning the audience prize at the Carfdiff Singer of the World competition in 2017, Louise Alder has become one of the most sought-after sopranos on the international stage. She has made noticable debuts in Europe and has added a number of new roles to her repertoire. Moreover, she has also been celebrated for her baroque roles and interpretations. {…}
Scott Hendricks is one of the most diverse artists in opera. His repertoire spans classic works by Monteverdi, Mozart, Debussy to contemporary works. He has also become one of the leading Verdi, Puccini, and Wagner interpreters around the world and has sung at every major theater to great acclaim. With an ever-increasing repertoire, this week Hendricks will have the honoring {…}
Elisabetta in “Roberto Devereux” is considered one of the most demanding roles in the soprano repertory and has always been a major measuring stick for leading Bel canto sopranos. Now, Joyce El-Khoury will take on the challenging role and look to make her mark. With her upcoming portrayal of Elisabetta at the Welsh National Opera, El-Khoury will continue to explore the Donizetti Tudor {…}
(Image from MariaAgresta.com) The role of Anna Bolena is known as one of the most demanding roles in the soprano repertoire and also the beginning of Donizetti’s Tudor Queen trilogy. It’s a role that has become legendary and one that the greatest divas in the history of opera have taken on. Now Maria Agresta is ready for that challenge as she makes her role {…}
