(Photo: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera has been performing Anthony Minghella’s sumptuous production of “Madama Butterfly” for so long now it’s almost a comfort watch – were it not for the unerringly bleak plot – in its familiarity. It’s become a staple of New York’s stages since ads showcasing the flowing colors of the staging blanketed the {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has confirmed that Asmik Grigorian will be back following her debut in “Madama Butterfly.” In an interview with the AP News, the company noted that in future seasons the Lithuanian soprano is set to perform Strauss’ “Salome” and Janacek’s “Jenůfa.” Grigorian has performed both operas to great reviews. Regarding her “Salome” critics have stated, “she sings with {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week audiences get a world premiere recording of a new opera, a legendary recording of Strauss’ work, and a rarely performed Tchaikovsky opera. The Shining Pentatone releases “The Shining,” the world-premiere recording from the Lyric Opera of Kansas City of the opera {…}
The Theater an der Wien has announced its 2024-25 season. Monteverdi’s “Combattimenti” will star Ferran Albrich, Johanna Rosa Falkinger, Luciana Mancini, Ambra Biaggi, and Ilyà Dovnar. David Bergmüller conducts the production by Olivier Fredj. Performance Dates: Sept. 27-Oct. 18, 2024 David Bates conducts Mozart’s “Idomeneo” in a new production by Stefan Herheim. The cast includes Attilio Glaser, Emily Sierra, Jeanine De Bique, Elena Tsallagova, Ya-Chung Huang, and Levente {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera Josep Pons conducts Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” with Alexei Botnarciuc, Daniel Kirch, Sara Jakubiak, Ángeles Blancas, and Pavel Černoch. Àlex Ollé conducts. Performance Date: Sept. 25-Oct. 7, 2024 Maria Agresta and Saioa Hernández star in Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” with Artur Ruciński, Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Brian {…}
The London Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2024-25 season. Here are the vocal performances. Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Mahler’s Symphony No. 2. Performance Dates: Oct. 20 & 23, 2024 André J Thomas conducts the Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir and LSO Community Voices in music by Brandon Boyd, Nolan Williams, Margaret Bonds, Brandon Waddles, André J Thomas, Moses Hogan, Rosephanye Powell, Joe Pace, Carol Cymbala, Kurt Carr, Raymond Wise, and Frances Fonza Smith. Performance {…}
The Teatro Real de Madrid has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera Nicola Luisotti and Andrés Salado conduct Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur” in David McVicar’s production. The production will star Ermonela Jaho, Maria Agresta, Brian Jagde, Matthew Polenzani, Elīna Garanča, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Nicola Alaimo, and Manel Esteve. Performance Dates: Sept. 23-Oct. 11, 2024 Charpentier’s “David et Jonathas” will be performed in concert with Petr Nekoranec, Gwendoline Blondeel, Jean-Christophe {…}
The Cleveland Orchestra has announced its 2024-25 Season. Here are the vocal performances. Klaus Mäkelä and Jennifer Johnston perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 3. Performance Dates: Oct. 17-19, 2024 Franz Welser-Möst conducts Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde” and a new work by Bernd Richard Deutsch. Limmie Pulliam and Iurii Samoilov are the soloists Performance Dates: Nov. 21 -23, 2025 Fabio {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week audiences will get to see a compilation of Tchaikovsky songs, a Händel Oratorio and a solo album by one of the leading sopranos of today. Neun Deutsche Arien LAWO Classics is set to release Daniel Sæther’s album with the Ensemble C4. {…}
(Credit: W. Hösl) The Bayerische Staatsoper is set to stream its new production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades.” The company will showcase the opera on Feb. 10, 2024, on its Staatsoper.TV and on Medici.TV. This brand-new production is conducted by young maestro Aziz Shokhakimov and directed by Benedict Andrews. The production features Set Design by Rufus Didwiszus, Costume Design by Victoria Behr, {…}
The Metropolitan Opera is set to present Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” for 16 performances. The Anthony Minghella production, which is set to be performed between Jan. 11 and May 11, 2024, will showcase two casts. The first cast will see the New Jersey Symphony Music Director Xian Zhang make her Met debut, leading a cast starring soprano Aleksandra Kurzak as Cio-Cio-San {…}