(Credit: Monika Rittershaus) On Feb. 23, 2025, Arte.TV is set to broadcast the Theater an der Wien’s new production of Bellini’s “Norma.” The production by Vasily Barkhatov sets Bellini’s work against the backdrop of a change of political system and Norma’s tragedy is that she is ground down between the millstones of ideology as the old idols are jettisoned and {…}
Asmik Grigorian is set to return to New York for a concert at Carnegie Hall with the Cleveland Orchestra and Franz Welser-Möst. The evening which will be held on March 18 at the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage will showcase Grigorian in Strauss’ “Four Last Songs” and the Final Scene from Puccini’s “Suor Angelica.” The concert will also showcase Welser-Möst {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2025-26 season, which means that we now know what the vaunted Live in HD series has in store as well. The series opens with “La Sonnambula.” Nadine Sierra and Xabier Anduaga star. Riccardo Frizza conducts the new production by Rolando Villazón. HD Date: Oct. 18, 2025 Next up the company brings “La Bohème” to cinemas {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced a cast change for its July 2 gala with Matthias Goerne. The company said that soprano Asmik Grigorian will headline the concert alongside Goerne, replacing Lise Davidsen, who announced on Friday that she was expecting twins and would be withdrawing from projects until 2026. The company said that the Norwegian soprano had to {…}
Asmik Grigorian performed in the U.S. with her first performance in New York at Carnegie Hall, then a performance in Berkeley at Hertz Hall. These are her only two performances in the U.S., which makes them remarkable and exciting. The Lithuanian’s reputation proceeds her in so many ways and she did not disappoint. The performances also included Lukas Geniušas, the {…}
It is time to wrap up the year and look back at our favorite moments and performers. After releasing our favorite performances of 2024 and showcasing our rising stars of the year, it’s time for OperaWire’s annual tradition of naming our top 11 singers of the year, performers that we thought stood out. Performers who had major breaks, headlined major productions or simply had {…}
The International Classical Music Awards has announced the nominations for its 2025 Awards. The winners will be revealed on Jan. 14 and will receive their trophies at the gala at the Tonhalle in Düsseldorf on March 19. Here are the vocal nominees. Baroque Vocal Johann Sebastian Bach: Complete Solo Cantatas for Alto and Bass: J.S. Bach: Cantatas BWV 56, BWV {…}
The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2025 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Opera Bas Wiegers conducts Michael Jarrell’s “Kassandra” with actress Dagmar Manzel and the Ensemble Modern. Performance Date: July 23, 2025 Salvatore Sciarrino’s “Macbeth” will be conducted by Vimbayi Kaziboni. Cody Quattlebaum, Alice Rossi, Leonardo Cortellazzi, Iris van Wijnen, and Davide Giangregorio. Performance Date: July 25, {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. It’s about the holidays so this week there is a new Christmas album as well as a final recording by one of the great mezzos of her time, a re-release of a classic recording, a new recording of Massenet’s work, and many baroque {…}
The Theaterpreis DER FAUST has announced its 2024 winners with Asmik Grigorian and Ingo Kerkhof taking home the opera awards. Grigorian won the award for her Actor in Music Theater for her performance of “Salome” at the Staatsoper Hamburg while Ingo Kerkhof won Best Director in Music Theater for his production of Kurtág’s “Fin de partie” at the Oper {…}
(Credit: © Luciano Romano) Rai5 is set to present the Teatro San Carlo’s opening night production of Dvořák’s “Rusalka.” Rai Cultura will produce the recording which will be shown at 7:15 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2024. The production will be directed by Dmitri Tcherniakov and conducted by Dan Ettinger. Asmik Grigorian will star in the title role alongside Adam Smith as the {…}