We are now entering the final weeks of summer, which means that opera companies in Europe will be in full swing while many opera companies in North America will start to test the waters with their brand new digital seasons. Nonetheless, the streaming has continued at a steady clip with another set of unique offerings coming your way this week. {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced its 2020-21 season featuring multiple productions, concert operas, and stars. Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” starring Anna Netrebko, Yusif Eyvazov, Ludovic Tézier, Okka von der Damerau, and Dmitry Belosselskiy. Performance Dates: Oct. 1 & 4, 2020 Christof Loy directs Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” with Christopher Maltman in the title role and {…}
The Seattle Opera is set to showcase a recital series entitled “Songs of Summer” with some of opera’s biggest stars. Angel Blue is the first to headline a recital on May 28, which audiences can watch via the Seattle Opera’s Facebook, YouTube, or official website. Blue will be joined by pianist Jay Rozendaal for a 30-minute program. On June 4, {…}
(Credit: Richard Termine / Metropolitan Opera) On Feb. 15, 2020, the Metropolitan Opera raised the curtain on this season’s run of Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte.” Phelim McDermott’s dazzling Coney Island production added a large amount of spectacle to what is the least staged of the operas born from the partnership of Mozart and Da Ponte. The afternoon saw a solid {…}
It’s Valentine’s Day weekend and there is arguably no art form that captures the essence of love moreso than opera. With that in mind, we looked around and picked operas that probably won’t cater to ideal feelings of love, but are powerful in their own rights and would probably make for unbelievable nights at the opera. Frida – Anchorage Opera, {…}
(Photo: Paola Kudacki / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera revealed its 2020-21 season on Wednesday afternoon. Among the major announcements were the company’s schedule for its ever-popular Live in HD slate. Here is a look at the list of performances that will be broadcast to audiences around the world. Aida (Oct. 10, 2020): Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Michael Mayer’s new production {…}
(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to revive its new production of “Così Fan Tutte” for the first time since its initial run back in 2018. With the exception of Serena Malfi and Ben Bliss, who were among the singers to open the production, every other singer in this run is new to Phelim McDermott’s {…}
This week, two debut albums will dominate the headlines. There is also a DVD release of an acclaimed production. Here are our recommendations. Overture Ben Bliss has released his new album “Overture” on streaming platforms including Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and Google Play among others. The new album features music from Bernstein, Donizetti, and Mozart, among others. Street Scene Bel {…}
(source: San Francisco Symphony Official Website) San Francisco once again hosted Handel’s “Messiah,” in time for the holidays. Conducted by Ragnar Bohlin, by the San Francisco Chorus, the San Francisco chamber ensemble, and four excellent soloists, Theshowcase was musically vibrant, satisfying and festive. If you ever thought the “Halleiuah Chorus” was “all the Messiah,” all you had to do was {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago is set to present “Don Giovanni’ in a production by Robert Falls. The revival of the production that premiered during the 2014-15 season will star Ildar Abdrazakov and Davide Luciano, both making Lyric debuts in the title role. They will appear alongside Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Donna Anna and Ben Bliss as Don Ottavio. Other cast {…}
On Monday, June 10, 2019, the Metropolitan Opera’s annual Summer Recital Series was launched amidst stormy weather. Lovers of opera braved the rain to gather at Central Park’s Summer Stage for an evening of arias and duets sung by Metropolitan Opera artists Nathan Gunn, Ben Bliss, and Ying Fang. Through the cloudy sky and almost constant veneer of rain, their {…}