Salzburg Festival 2020 Preview: Franz Welser-Möst & Krzysztof Warlikowski Discuss ‘Elektra’

(Credit: Anne Zeuner / Salzburg Festival) Strauss’ opera “Elektra” will open this year’s Festival in Salzburg, in quite unique circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conductor Franz Welser-Möst and stage director Krzysztof Warlikowski discussed their views of the production in a recent press release from the Salzburg Festival. “The danger of becoming inebriated with the opulence of sound and losing {…}

Jul 29, 2020

Salzburg Festival to Broadcast ‘Elektra’ Starring Aušrinė Stundytė, Asmik Grigorian

(Credit: Official Website Aušrinė Stundytė / P Gasiunas) The Salzburg Festival has announced that it will record its production of Strauss’ “Elektra“ via ORF, 3sat, ZDF/ARTE and UNITEL in collaboration with the Vienna Philharmonic and the Salzburg Festival and will be broadcast as followed. The company will then stream the production over the course of several days via some a {…}

Jul 27, 2020

Artist of the Week: Asmik Grigorian

(Credit: Ruth Waltz) The Salzburg Festival is set to open this week in a reduced edition with various concerts and two new operas including R.Strauss’ “Elektra.” The new production will be headlined by an all-star cast that includes rising star Asmik Grigorian in the role of Chrysothemis. The new production will mark the soprano’s third appearance at the festival following {…}

Jul 3, 2020

Asmik Grigorian, Erin Morley & Arturo Chacón-Cruz Lead L’Instant Lyrique’s 2020-21 Season

The L’Instant Lyrique in France has announced its 2020-21 season featuring many leading singers from around the world. The season opens with Nicolas Courjal in a recital with pianist Antoine Palloc. Performance Date: Sept. 21, 2020 Clémentine Margaine sings a recital with Sarah Margaine. Performance Date: Oct. 12, 2020 Baroque specialist Sandrine Piau sings alongside Susan Manoff. Performance Date: Nov. 3, {…}

Jul 2, 2020

Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko, Elīna Garanča, & Pretty Yende Lead Opéra de Paris’s 2020-21 Cinema Season

(Credit: Theo Gosselin/Andrea Torres Balaguer, persimmon, 2018) FRA Cinema has announced the 2020-21 cinema season for the Opéra de Paris. The season will include previously recorded performances and live performances. The season begins with Massenet’s “Manon” starring Pretty Yende and Benjamin Bernheim. The production, which was the final production of the 2019-20 season at the Opéra de Paris also stars {…}

Jun 10, 2020

Kristian Benedikt, Asmik Grigorian & Francesca Sassu Highlight Lithuanian National Opera’s 2020-21 Season

The Lithuanian National Opera has announced its 2020-21 season. Here is a look at the operas and operettas for the upcoming season. Opera Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena“ opens the season with Sesto Quatrini and Ričardas Šumila conducting. Francesca Sassu and Joana Gedmintaitė headline the cast in the title role, with Raffaella Lupinacci, Justina Gringytė, and Eglė Šidlauskaitė as Giovanna, Tadas Girininkas {…}

Jun 9, 2020

Anna Netrebko, Asmik Grigorian & Cecilia Bartoli Highlight Revised Salzburg Festival Season

(Image Source / Credit: Askonas Holt / Dario Acosta / Cecilia Bartoli Official Website) The Salzburg Festival has announced its revised edition. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Opera Franz Welser-Möst Conducts R. Strauss’ “Elektra“ in a production by Krzysztof Warlikowski. The production stars Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, Aušrine Stundyte, Asmik Grigorian, Michael Laurenz Aegisth, and Derek Welton. Performance Dates: August 1- {…}

Jun 2, 2020

Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Sondra Radvanovsky, Michael Fabiano, Lead Teatro Real’s 2020-21 Season

The Teatro Real de Madrid has announced the 2020-21 season featuring premieres, new productions and some of the greatest stars in the world. Opera Nicola Luisotti and Lorenzo Passerini conduct a production of Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera“ directed by Gianmaria Aliverta. The production stars Michael Fabiano and Ramón Vargas as Riccardo, Anna Pirozzi and Tatiana Serjan as Amelia, Artur {…}

May 20, 2020

Donizetti Opera Festival & Teatro Alla Scala Among Winners of Premio della Critica Musicale ‘Franco Abbiati’

(Credit: Gianfranco Rota) The Winners of the Premio della Critica Musicale “Franco Abbiati” have been announced. The award for best presentation of 2019 went to Mario Martone’s production of “Khovanshchina” at the Teatro alla Scala. The production was conducted by Valery Gergiev. The Special prize went to the Donizetti Opera Festival’s production of “L’Ange de Nisida” directed by Francesco Micheli. {…}

Apr 29, 2020

Eva-Maria Westbroek, Asmik Grigorian Headline OperaVision’s Russian Program in May

(Credit: Iko Freese / Operavision) OperaVision has announced that its May streaming slate will be dedicated to Russian opera. On May 1, the company will stream the Komische Oper Berlin’s production of “Eugene Onegin.” The opera stars Asmik Grigorian, Karolina Gumos, Ales Briscein, and Günter Papendell under the musical direction of Henrik Nánási. The performance will be available for repeat {…}

Apr 26, 2020

Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Elīna Garanča & Plácido Domingo Highlight Wiener Staatsoper’s 2020-21 Season

The Wiener Staatsoper has announced its massive 2020-21 season. Here is a rundown. Premieres Philippe Jordan conducts Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly“ in Anthony Minghella’s acclaimed production. The production from 2005 arrived in Vienna with Asmik Grigorian in the title role, Virginie Verrez, Freddie De Tommaso, and Boris Pinkhasovich. In January, Grigorian is joined by Noa Beinart and Marcelo Puente. A third {…}