Magdalena Kozená, Asmik Grigorian, Ian Bostridge, Pavel Cernoch, Mattias Goerne Headline the Czech Philharmonic’s 2022-23 Season

The Czech Philharmonic has announced its 2022-23 season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal performances. Semyon Bychkov leads music by Smetana, Dvorak, and Janácek’s Glagolitic Mass with such soloists as Evelina Dobraceva, Lucie Hilscherová, Ales Briscein, and Jan Martiník. Performance Dates: Sept. 2, 2022 Semyon Bychkov leads seven performances of “Rusalka” starring Asmik {…}

Apr 6, 2022

Asmik Grigorian, Pene Pati & Carolyn Sampson Lead New CD/DVD Releases

This week audiences will get a chance to listen to debut albums, classic works and world premiere recordings. Here is a look at the varied releases. La bohème Signum releases the Irish National Opera’s performance of “La bohème.” It marks the second recording in its new partnership with Signum Classics. Presented with a cast featuring Irish talent including Celine Byrne, {…}

Mar 4, 2022

Oper Frankfurt Announces Cast Changes For ‘Fedora’

***This article has been edited from its original version published on Dec. 31, 2021. This version has added a final paragraph that includes information on the creative team and the historic importance of the performance for Oper Frankfurt. (Credits: Nadja Stefanoff official website / © Alessandro Moggi) Oper Frankfurt has announced multiple cast changes for its upcoming new production of {…}

Feb 16, 2022

Asmik Grigorian to Sing ‘Turandot’ in 2024

Asmik Grigorian will sing the title role in Puccini’s “Turandot” in the coming seasons. The soprano, who is currently starring in a revival of “Manon Lescaut” at the Wiener Staatsoper, told the Austrian press that she will likely sing “Turandot” in 2024 under Franz Welser-Möst. The soprano could not reveal any details about the upcoming production but noted that she {…}

Feb 4, 2022

Asmik Grigorian Signs with Alpha Classics

Asmik Grigorian has signed an exclusive contract with Alpha Classics. After having triumphed on the stage, the soprano will release her highly anticipated first recording with pianist Lukas Geniušas. The album will be devoted to one of her favorite composers, Sergei Rachmaninov. In a statement, the soprano noted “Most of Rachmaninov’s romances really demand operatic power. In fact, he wrote {…}

Jan 7, 2022

Asmik Grigorian Replaces Sonya Yoncheva in Berliner Philharmoniker’s ‘Iolanta’

(Credit: Algirdas Bakas) The Berliner Philharmoniker has announced that soprano Sonya Yoncheva has canceled her participation in the title role in Tchaikovsky’s “Iolanta” for concert performances of the opera on Jan. 12, 14 & 15, 2022 due to flu. As a result, soprano Asmik Grigorian will take over the role, making her Berliner Philharmoniker house debut. Grigorian joins a cast {…}

Dec 17, 2021

Best of 2021: OperaWire’s Top 11 Singers of 2021

After a year and a half of limited performances and shut downs, 2021 marked the year during which performers were able to bring their artistry to the stage and to the audiences. And now 2021 is bringing down its curtain. There were so any memorable moments in the year and there were truly some historical performances. Like previous years, OperaWire {…}

Dec 10, 2021

Jonas Kaufmann, Elīna Garanča, Luca Salsi, Lisette Oropesa, Elena Stikhina, Asmik Grigorian Lead Salzburg Festival’s 2022 Season

(Credit: Anne Zeuner) The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2022 season, featuring eight operas, concerts, and international opera stars. For the purpose of this article we will focus on the vocal works only. Operas The season opens with Romeo Castellucci’s production of Béla Bartók’s “Bluebeard’s Castle.” The opera stars Mika Kares and Aušrinė Stundytė in the lead roles, alongside soprano {…}

Dec 7, 2021

CueTV to Stream Teatro Real’s ‘Rusalka’

CueTV is set to stream Dvorak’s “Rusalka” in a production from the Teatro Real de Madrid. The new production showcases Dvorak’s main character as a ballet dancer with injured feet who relies on crutches to aid her movement. Directed by Christof Loy, the production is set in the foyer of an opera house. Ivor Bolton conducted a cast that included {…}

Dec 7, 2021

Wiener Staatsoper Announces Reopening & Cast Changes for ‘Don Carlo’

(Credit: © Wiener Staatsoper / Michael Pöhn) The Wiener Staatsoper has announced that it will reopen its doors to the public with a performance of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” on Dec. 13, 2021 after a three-week closure due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19. The opera had its live online premiere on Dec. 5. “Don Giovanni” stars Hanna-Elisabeth Müller as Donna {…}

Nov 5, 2021

Anna Netrebko, Sabine Devieilhe, Dawn Upshaw & Asmik Grigorian Lead New CD/DVD Releases

This week audiences can experience a new solo album by one of opera’s reigning divas, two new albums by a great coloratura, a world premiere and two new DVDs from recent productions. Here is a look at this week’s new releases. Amata dalle Tenebre Deutsche Grammophon releases Anna Netrebko’s new album “Amata Dalle Tenebre,” which marks the soprano’s first studio {…}