Sean Panikkar has slowly been growing through the ranks of the opera world. His numerous engagements with the Metropolitan Opera have made him visible throughout the world and he has been able to make important debuts at the Festival Aix en Provence, Cincinnati Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, and Fort Worth Opera in recent years. He has also been an advocate for {…}
The Rossini Opera Festival opens this week and while Juan Diego Florez, Pretty Yende, and Lisette Oropesa are sure to make a splash, there is one tenor that is likely to make headlines – Levy Sekgapane. After winning the Operalia Competition in 2017, the tenor’s status has grown rapidly, performing leading roles in Munich, Barcelona, Riga, and Paris alongside some {…}
For the past few years Emma Bell has slowly become one of the leading dramatic sopranos of her generation. Making a transition from Mozart’s leading ladies those of Wagner, she has garnered acclaim and this week she returns to the Glyndebourne festival for another major role debut. Bell will have the honor of bringing Barber’s “Vanessa” to the UK for {…}
Piotr Beczala is one of today’s biggest stars in the world. He has performed in arguably every major theater and has given historical performances in numerous signature roles. And this week he becomes the first Polish tenor to perform the role of Wagner’s “Lohengrin” at the Bayreuth Festival in his company debut. Jumping in a month before opening, Beczala will {…}
Throughout the past years, Guido Loconsolo has specialized in Mozart’s works singing all three Da Ponte works and performing various roles from each work. He has also performed “La Clemenza di Tito” and has attempted to take on all the Mozart roles wrote for his voice. His repertoire has also been expansive as he has performed numerous Bel canto works, {…}
Stephen Costello has long been one of the leading lyric tenors of his generation. His vocal beauty and stage presence have brought great acclaim and his vast repertoire has also shown his virtuosic power. This week Costello makes a major house debut, as well as a big role debut that will once again show the diversity that Costello has to {…}
Over the past few years, Soprano Kristina Mkhitaryan’s star has been rapidly rising in the opera world. Since winning second prize at the Operalia Competition, the soprano has been making important debuts, role debuts and opening productions. And this week Mkhitaryan headlines another important production and a house debut. After a series of debuts, Mkhitaryan will make her Opera di {…}
Over the years José Cura has distinguished himself as one of the great dramatic tenors of his generation singing such roles as the title role of “Otello,” “Tannhauser,” “Peter Grimes” and Samson in “Samson et Dalila.” His vocal prowess combined with his acting have made for some unforgettable performances. But Cura has not only become a distinguished performer, he has also {…}
Over the past years, Javier Camarena has become one of the most in-demand tenors in the world. His charisma, blazing high notes, and expressive qualities have allowed him to create history. For example, he is just the second singer in Metropolitan Opera history to sing encores in multiple productions. He is also the second singer in the history of the Teatro Real to {…}
For years Falk Struckmann has brought audiences memorable performances, ranging from his show-stopping Iago in Verdi’s “Otello” to his unforgettable Hagen in “Götterdämmerung.” His work has elevated his status as one of the most important singers of our time, performing in every major theater. This week, he continues to forge his legendary status, making his San Francisco Opera debut and {…}
Singing Wagner is never an easy feat and he is a composer many singers train years to take on. His music is known for its length and for its technical challenges and in many cases, it is extremely taxing. This week Jennifer Davis takes a major step in her career singing her highest profile assignment to date – Elsa in “Lohengrin.” {…}