Q & A: Tanja Ariane Baumgartner on Klytämnestra at Salzburg, the ‘New Normal’ After COVID-19

(Credit: Dario Acosta NY) German mezzo-soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner is one of the most sought-after opera singers of our time. Baumgartner has been a member of the ensemble at Oper Frankfurt since the 2009-10 season. During her time in Frankfurt, Tanja Baumgartner made appearances in numerous operas including “Carmen,” “Giulio Cesare in Egitto,” “Don Carlo,” “Medea,” “Die Frau ohne Schatten,” {…}

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 {…}

Q & A: Soprano Aušrinė Stundytė on Singing ‘Elektra’ At Salzburg & Career Trajectory

(Image Source: Official Website) After the coronavirus pandemic put the global opera world on hold for several months, Salzburg is taking promising steps to keep their summer opera festival going—consequently still celebrating its centenary this August. After trimming the programmed repertoire, two operas remain in the festival—Mozart’s “Cosi Fan Tutte” and Richard Strauss’ “Elektra.” The latter will star Lithuanian soprano {…}

Julia Bullock, Corinne Winters & Aušrinė Stundytė Lead Oper Köln’s 2020-21 Season

The Oper Köln has announced its 2020-21 season featuring nine new productions and several revivals.  Premieres The first new production of the season will be Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte“ with Michael Hampe directing. Christoph Gedschold, Alfred Eschwé, and Rainer Mühlbach alternate at the pit with Julien Behr as Tamino, Antonina Vesenina, and Emily Hindrichs as the Queen of the Night, Kathrin Zukowski {…}

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- {…}

Carmela Remigio, Florian Boesch, & Günther Groissböck Highlight Theater an der Wien’s 2020-21 Season

The Theater an der Wien has announced its 2020-21 season featuring 13 new productions, chamber opera, and opera in concert. Productions  The season opens with Leoncavallo’s “Zazà” starring Svetlana Aksenova in the title role, Nikolai Schukoff, Christopher Maltman, Dorothea Herbert, and Enkelejda Shkosa. Stefan Soltész conducts the new production by Christof Loy. Performance Dates: Sept. 16-27, 2020 Wayne Marshall conducts {…}

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 {…}

American Symphony Orchestra Launches ASO Online Streaming Service

The American Symphony Orchestra is launching ASO Online in collaboration with Bard’s Fisher Center. The streaming service kicked off with the 2019 production of Korngolds “Das Wunder der Heliane. The opera was conducted by Leon Botstein and starred Ausrine Stundyte, Alfred Walker, Daniel Brenna, Jennifer Feinstein, Nicholas Brownlee, David Cangelosi, Nathan Berg, Scott Conner, Michael J. Hawk, Derek Taylor, Kevin {…}

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 {…}