In Jan. 2025, baritone Benjamin Appl will begin his Artist in Residence position with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Appl’s residency kicks off with his conducting debut in a performance of Handel’s “Messiah.” Continuing on in the season, Appl will perform with Ensemble 10:10 and release his new album, “To Dieter: The Past and Future.” Closing out his residency in {…}
Aldeburgh Festival has announced its 2025 edition. Here is a rundown of the vocal performances on offer. First up is “A Visit to Friends,” a new opera by Collin Matthews and William Boyd. It stars Lotte Betts-Dean, Susanna Hurrell, Marcus Farnsworth, Edward Hawkins, and Gary Mattewman. Jessica Cottis conducts and Rachael Hewer directs. Performance Date: June 13 & 14, 2025 James {…}
The Dresdner Musikfestspiele has announced the 2025 season with the theme of “LOVE.” For this article, we will focus on the vocal performances. Fabio Luisi NHK Symphony Orchestra is set to join perform Haydn and Mahler with Ying Fang and Jan Vogler. Performance Date: May 18, 2025 The works by Arvo Pärt will be performed by Kadri Toomoja and the {…}
Benjamin Appl’s Querétaro concert in Mexico due to security measures. The baritone took to social media and said, “Due to security measures we were not allowed to perform in Querétaro, which detoured our tour to Guadalajara. I had time to visit the stunning Hospicio cabañas with the paintings by José Clemente Orozco. What a place!” He also posted some pictures {…}
The Verbier Festival has announced its 2025 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. The Verbier Festival Orchestra and Barbara Hannigan perform works by Berlioz, Haydn, Copland, Rodgers, and Bill Elliot. Performance Date: July 17, 2025 Thomas Hampson and Ksenija Sidorova perform works by Schubert and Weill. Performance Date: July 20, 2025 The VF Academy Atelier Lyrique and {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. As the holiday season arrives, this week also features several high-profile recordings by superstars including a Christmas album that features many classics. Schubert Lieder Countertenor Philippe Jaroussky releases a new album of Schubert Lieder. In a statement, he said, “Schubert’s music has been {…}
Acte 4 has announced its 2024-25 season. This article only features vocal works. Sopranos Emőke Baráth and Lauranne Oliva, countertenor Tim Mead, tenor Robin Tritschler, and baritone Benjamin Appl are soloists in Handel’s “Messiah.” They are joined by The Spiritual Concert orchestra and choir and directed by Hervé Niquet. Performance Dates: December 11, 2024 Mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre sings Sapho, Iphise and Eglé {…}
Alpha Classics and Benjamin Appl have announced that over the next six months, there will be three new albums by the acclaimed baritone. The first recording in the series will be the release of “The Christmas Album” on Nov. 1. The album includes Bach Chorales and popular carols and Appl is accompanied by the Munich Radio Orchestra and conductor Florian {…}
The Dallas Opera is set to perform Debussy’s “Pelléas and Mélisande” for the first time. The Debussy premiere will be presented at the Winspear Opera House from Nov. 8 through Nov. 16, 2024 and will star Internationally renowned baritone Benjamin Appl makes his mainstage debut with The Dallas Opera as Pelléas, alongside soprano Lauren Snouffer as Mélisande. They will be {…}
The Opéra de Rouen Normandie has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera Joyce El-Khoury stars in Verdi’s “Aida” alongside Adam Smith, Alisa Kolosova, Adolfo Corrado, and Nikoloz Lagvilava. Pierre Bleuse conducts the production by Philipp Himmelmann. Performance Dates: Sept. 27-Oct. 5, 2024 Sally Matthews, John Findon, Paula Murrihy, and Caroline Wettergreen headline Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos” with Ben Glassberg. The production {…}
(Credit: Lars Borges) Baritone Benjamin Appl will headline a performance as part of The People’s Symphony’s Salomon series in 2024-25. The showcase, scheduled for Town Hall in New York City, will feature Appl alongside pianist Shai Wosner as they pay tribute to legendary singer Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau on the occasion of his centenary. The program will include works by Schubert as {…}