(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 {…}
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 {…}
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 {…}
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 {…}
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 {…}
This weekend will showcase a number of stars in role debuts, new productions and one dynamic duo reteaming for a classic masterpiece. Take a look at our recommendations. La Soto del Parral – Teatro Cafam, Colombia Luis Fernando Pérez conducts the masterful zarzuela by Reveriano Soutullo and Juan Vert. The work, which is being presented in co-production with el Ministerio de Cultura de {…}
The Lithuanian State Opera has announced its 2019-20 season. In a press statement General manager Jonas Sakalauskas said, “For the 100th season, it was our wholehearted goal to open up the main Lithuanian theatre stage to a broad circle of best Lithuanian artists. We hope that our theatregoers shall enjoy and appreciate this initiative.” Operetta The season opens with Bernstein’s {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced its 2019-20 Season featuring some of the greatest singers in the world in 17 new productions of both ballet and opera. For this article, we will only focus on opera performances. Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” opens the 2019-20 season with Erwin Schrott in the title role alongside Roberto Tagliavini, Malin Byström, Christine Rice. Daniel Behle, Emanuele D’Aguanno, Louise Alder, Lars Woldt, {…}
Oper Frankfurt’s new season is massive. It is loaded up with over a dozen new productions and even more revivals. Premieres Damiano Michieletto directs a new production of Rossini’s “Otello” starring Enea Scala in the title role, Karolina Makuła as Desdemona, Theo Lebow as Iago, and Jack Swanson as Rodrigo. Sesto Quatrini conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 8-Oct. 20, 2019 Asmik Grigorian sings {…}
The International Opera Awards have announced its annual awards. Charles Castronovo and Asmik Grigorian took the Male Singer and Female Singer of the year awards. This was Grigorian’s second Opera award. She previously won the young singer award in 2016. Meanwhile, Sonya Yoncheva won the Readers Award and Marina Viotti was the winner of the Young Singer Award. Marc Albrecht {…}
The Theater an der Wien has announced its 2019-20 season featuring numerous rarely performed works, concert operas and a number of new productions. Opera Productions David Afkham conducts Amélie Niermeyer’s new production of Dvorak’s “Rusalka.” Maria Bengtsson sings the title role alongside Ladislav Elgr, Günther Groissböck, Natascha Petrinsky, and Kate Aldrich. Performance Dates: Sept. 19 – 30, 2019 Stefan Gottfried conducts Sam Brown’s production of Mozart’s {…}
