Piotr Beczala, Ermonela Jaho & Carmela Remigio Highlight Top 6 International Weekend (12/15-18)

(Credit: Moritz Schell Fotografie/Catherine Ashmore/Yasuko Kageyama / TOR) Three rarely performed works highlight the international weekend with three other repertory staples. There are also two new productions opening with one company premiere. Here is a look at what we recommend. Halka – Theater an der Wien, Austria Łukasz Borowicz conducts a new production of Moniuszko’s masterpiece. Mariusz Treliński directs the {…}

Jul 18, 2019

Anita Rachvelshvili & Matthew Polenzani Highlight Greek National Opera’s 2019-20 Season

The Greek National Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring a number of rare works and great artists. Christina Poulitsi and Vassiliki Karayanni share the title role of Bellini’s “La Sonnambula” with Vassilis Kavayas in the role of Elvino. Philippe Auguin conducts Marco Arturo Marelli’s production from the Wiener Staatsoper and Royal Opera. Performance Dates: Oct. 11-29, 2019 Lena Platonos’ children {…}

Jul 16, 2019

Barbara Frittoli, Leo Nucci & Maria Josè Siri Highlight Teatro Carlo Felice’s 2019-20 Season

The Teatro Carlo Felice has announced its 2019-20 season featuring a number of great stars and new productions. Giuseppe Talamo stars in the title role of Enjott Schneider’s “Marco Polo” with a cast that includes Xiaotong Cao, Yunpeng Wang, Ying Liu, Haojiang Tian, Kejia Xiong, Enrico Rinaldo, Davide Bartolucci, and Xu Shuai. Muhai Tang conducts Kasper Holten’s production. Performance Dates: Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2019 Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” returns with {…}

Mar 28, 2019

Metropolitan Opera 2018-19 Preview: Tatiana Troyanos, Renata Scotto, Susan Graham & The Major History Stars of ‘La Clemenza di Tito’ In NYC

Mozart’s “La Clemenza di Tito” has only had 45 performances to date at the Metropolitan Opera. Compared to other major works by the iconic composer, that number is rather low. The opera actually had its Met premiere on Oct. 18, 1984. It’s history with the company has been marked by a wide range of major stars in the three main {…}

Mar 25, 2019

René Pape, Elīna Garanča & Karita Mattila Headline Staatsoper Berlin’s 2019-20 Season

The Staatsoper Berlin has announced its 2019-20 season, which will feature 10 new productions in addition to numerous revivals. Production premieres It all starts with Otto Nicolai’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor” with Daniel Barenboim conducting and David Bösch. René Pape will interpret the role of Falstaff with the remaining cast members including Michael Full, Wilhelm Schwinghammer, Pavol Breslik, Linard {…}

Apr 19, 2018

Artist Profile: Soprano Barbara Frittoli, Mozart & Verdi Specialist

Italian soprano Barbara Frittoli was born on April 19, 1967, and carved out a solid career in the Italian repertoire. Frittoli, a Milan native, went on graduate from the famed conservatory in her city. Unsurprisingly, she would have a solid career at the famed Teatro alla Scala, where she worked extensively with Riccardo Muti in such operas as “Falstaff,” “Otello,” {…}

Mar 26, 2018

Metropolitan Opera 2017-18 Preview: Sonya Yoncheva & The Met’s 15 Other ‘Luisa Miller’ Interpreters

When Verdi’s “Luisa Miller” hits the stage on Thursday, March 29, it will be the first time the opera is staged with the company in exactly 12 years. The cast will include Plácido Domingo and Piotr Beczala among the male leads, but will also showcase the third major work headlined by Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva at the Met in 2017-18. {…}

Nov 24, 2017

Top 5 Performances To See This Weekend-International (11/24-26): Roberto Alagna & Barbara Frittoli Close Out Acclaimed Production

As many companies start to prepare new productions, there are still a number of great choices with some of the world’s greatest singers. Here is a look at what we recommend as the top five to look out for this weekend. “Adriana Lecouvreur” – Opera Monte-Carlo, Monaco For audiences interested in a new production of Cilea’s masterpiece, the Opera Monte {…}

May 3, 2017

Juan Diego Flórez, Roberto Alagna & Cecilia Bartoli Headline Opéra Monte Carlo 2017-18 Season

Opéra Monte Carlo has announced its 2017-18 season with a diverse amount of operas. The season’s first production, Rossini’s “La Cenerentola,” opens on Oct. 29, 2017, with Cecilia Bartoli leading the cast. Nicola Alaimo, Rebecca Olvera, Carlos Chausson, and Edgardo Rocha round out the cast in Jean-Pierre Ponnelle’s classic production. Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur” takes the stage on Nov. 19, 2017, {…}

Dec 5, 2016

Teatro alla Scala Opening Night 2016-17: Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Diana Damrau Featured in 5 Memorable La Scala Inaugurations of Last 10 Years

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the legendary Teatro all Scala opens its 2016-17 season with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The opera stars rising star Maria Jose Siri, Bryan Hymel and Carlos Alvarez and is led by music director Riccardo Chailly. The opening continues La Scala’s tradition of inaugurating the season on Dec. 7 and continues Chailly’s Puccini cycle, which he began back {…}