Seton Hall University will present Bellini’s “Norma” in a one night only concert performance on Nov. 11 at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) in South Orange, N.J. The Seton Hall University Classical Concert Series, the Charles and Joan Alberto Italian Studies Institute, and MidAtlantic Artistic Productions are presenting the production. Jason C. Tramm will conduct the MidAtlantic Philharmonic {…}
(Photo: Andrea Butti / OperaLombardia) Although “I Puritani” is an Italian opera through and through, it was conceived in Paris, at the height of the grand opéra tradition. Bellini studied Meyerbeer and Halévy in great detail, noting in his personal papers certain orchestral “effects” he wished to emulate and others he intended to avoid. As a result, the score, especially {…}
(Photo Credit: Michele Monasta) The Teatro alla Scala has announced a cast change for its upcoming performances of “Norma.” Soprano Marina Rebeka took to social media and noted that she has withdrawn from the July 11 performance of the title role. “”Dear friends, I am so sorry to announce that I will not be able to sing tomorrow’s performance of {…}
The Verdi Chorus will make a comeback on April 26 and 27, 2025 at the Presbyterian Church in Santa Monica to present “Bella Bellini.” The concert will feature operatic sequences from “La Sonnambula,” “Norma,” and “I Puritani.” As a bonus, the performance will also include a segment from Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino.” Guest soloists include soprano Jamie Chamberlin, mezzo {…}
With Bellini’s “I Puritani” one steps into the heartland of Italian bel canto: The ensembles are mesmerizingly beautiful, the vocal lines infinitely refined, and the orchestration – with its mood painting role – proves a proto-dramatic foundation to the unfolding of the Romantic intrigue, prone to inspiring the operatic vocabulary of subsequent generations, and of Verdi in particular. Needless to {…}
Chelsea Opera Group has announced its 2024-25 season. First up is a Puccini Centenary Concert featuring “Le villi,” “Capriccio Sinfonico,” and “Messa di Gloria.” The concert features Seljan Fermor-Hesketh, Charne Rochford, and Stephen Gass. Peter Robinson conducts. Performance Date: Nov. 2, 2024 Paul Wingfield conducts a concert performance of Lalo’s “Le Roy d’Ys.” Performance Date: March 30, 2025 Then comes a concert {…}
(Photo: Clarissa Lapolla) One of the main events at this summer’s Valle D’Itria Festival was a production of Bellini’s oft-performed masterpiece, “Norma.” However, rather than using the traditional Ricordi score, which gained widespread acceptance about 100 years ago, the festival decided to present a new edition by Roger Parker. The argument for the decision was not to rediscover Bellini’s original {…}
Swedish company Opera på Skäret is set to present “Norma” this summer. The opera, which opens on July 27 and runs through August 25, 2024, will star Alina Tkachuk and Sonja Saric sharing the title role. Joining them are tenors Vitaliy Kovalchuk and Nutthaporn Thammathi as Pollione. As Adalgisa, audiences will see Anna Werle and Andrea Niño. Rounding out the {…}
The Academy of Vocal Arts will present “Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music” this March. The showcase will feature music by Mozart, Händel, Dubois, Bellini, Dvorák, Rossini, Bizet, Puccini, Wagner, Clysedale, Lofton, Carter, and Verdi. Performers include Emily Margevich, Kevin Godínez, Manli Deng, Shawn Roth, Luke Norvell, Lydia Grindatto, Angel Raii Gomez, Dylan Gregg, Matthew Goodheart, Ethel Trujillo, Ariana Maubach, {…}
(Callas greeting fans. Credit: © Archiv Lebeck.) Editor’s Note: In anticipation of the release of “The Callas Imprint: A Centennial Biography” on Dec. 2, 2023, OperaWire is sharing a preview. “Greatness” is a noun too frequently assigned to humans. Victims of this label view the happening of “genius” as a capricious, “limited time only” gift. Here we follow Callas on {…}
New Jersey Opera Theater has announced its upcoming 2023-24 season. The season kicks off with “Night of Opera by Richard Wagner.” Audiences will hear arias from the composer’s famed works as performed by New York Dramatic Voices. The showcase will take place at the Union County Performing Arts Center. Performance Date: Sept. 30, 2023 That will be followed up by performances {…}