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 {…}

Mar 12, 2020

Jonas Kaufmann, Diana Damrau & Elīna Garanča Highlight Opéra de Paris’s 2020-21 Season

The Opéra National de Paris has announced its 2020-21 season featuring a number of new productions revivals. Here is a look. Domingo Hindoyan and Keri-Lynn Wilson lead performances of Bizet’s “Carmen” with Clémentine Margaine, Elīna Garanča, and Varduhi Abrahamyan sharing the title role and Vittorio Grigolo and Charles Castronovo as Don José. Adam Plachetka and Lucas Meachem alternate as Escamillo, {…}

Jan 17, 2020

Asmik Grigorian To Star in Royal Opera House’s ‘Jenůfa’

(Credit: Ruth Waltz) The Royal Opera House is set to open a new production of Leoš Janáček‘s “Jenůfa” starting on March 24, 2020. The production, which will be directed by Claus Guth, is the third in the company’s Janáček series following productions of “Kát’a Kabanová” in 2019 and “From the House of the Dead” in 2018. Moreover, this will be {…}

Nov 13, 2019

Anna Netrebko, Cecilia Bartoli & Plácido Domingo To Headline Salzburg Festival’s 2020 Season

The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2020 season celebrating its 100th anniversary with a number of operatic productions from many repertory staples and numerous rarely performed gems. Here is a look at the operatic works to be performed. Opera Franz Welser-Möst is set to conduct a new production of R. Strauss’ “Elektra” with Krzysztof Warlikowski. Aušrine Stundyte sings the title {…}

Oct 20, 2019

Q & A: Asmik Grigorian on ‘Salome,’ a New Chapter in Her Career & Letting Go of Her Father

(Credit: Rokas Baltakys) In just a little over a year or so, Soprano Asmik Grigorian has jumped into the spotlight and remained at the forefront of the opera world. The big reason for the soprano’s rise to the forefront is her now iconic interpretation of “Salome” at the Salzburg Festival. “The Lithuanian soprano captivates the audience as much as she {…}

Oct 4, 2019

Joyce DiDonato, René Pape & Asmik Grigorian Headline Top 7 To See This Weekend Internationally (10/4-6)

It is the first weekend of October, which means that it is one filled with opening nights, new productions, contemporary works, classics, and baroque works. Let’s have a go. A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Lawrence Zazzo, Erin Morley, Théo Touvet, Peter Kellner, Szilvia Vörös, Josh Lovell, Rafael Fingerlos, Rachel Frenkel, Valentina, Naforniţa, Peter Rose, Benjamin Hulett, Wolfgang {…}

Aug 16, 2019

Catalina Cuervo & Kathryn Lewek Lead Top 5 Operas To See This Weekend Internationally

The weekend is here and there are some very interesting options for those interested in experimenting with a more expansive repertory. Orphée Aux Enfers – Salzburg Festival, Austria Anne Sofie von Otter, Max Hopp, Kathryn Lewek, and Joel Prieto headline a new production of Offenbach’s operetta by Barrie Kosky. Enrique Mazzola conducts the production which also stars Marcel Beekman, Nadine Weissmann, Lea Desandre, Martin Winkler, Frances Pappas, Rafał Pawnuk, Vasilisa {…}

Aug 1, 2019

Midsummer Vilnius 2019 Review: Asmik Grigorian in concert

Asmik Grigorian started her summer festival season with a marvelous homecoming event in Vilnius. To say that this concert was long-awaited is a massive understatement. It would be sold out twice even if she had another recital days or weeks early — Asmik Grigorian is an absolute favorite of the local audience. But this concert happened after a long pause {…}

Jul 16, 2019

Cecilia Bartoli, Asmik Grigorian & Leo Nucci Lead New CD/DVD Releases – July 15

This week audiences are in for six brand new DVDs with some of the worlds greatest singers. It will be hard to pick one from these new releases. Here is a look! L’Italiana D’Algeri Cecilia Bartoli’s acclaimed role debut in Rossini’s classic gets released through Unitel. She is joined by Ildar Abdrazakov, Edgardo Rocha, and Alessandro Corbelli. Moshe Leiser and {…}