Festival d’Aix-En-Provence 2017 Review – Carmen: Tcherniakov’s Production Will Change the Way You See Bizet’s Masterpiece

“Carmen,” Georges Bizet’s Spanish-inspired masterpiece, was performed at the Festival d’arLyriqueue d’Aix-en-Provence’s 2017 season in an unconventional production. Russian director Dmitri Tcherniakov’s has consigned the traditional Sevillan mantillas, toreros, and abrigos de luz to distant memory and, for the hugely popular opera’s return to Aix for the first time in 60 years, has fully reviewed the story to give it {…}

May 30, 2017

Experimentation With Classics- Nathan Hull’s Drive To Uncover Neglected Works With Amore Opera

Does experimentation work? That is a question most artists ask in a time when the art world is insecure and ticket buyers are disappearing. However, for smaller opera companies, that seems to be their means of thriving, and this week Amore Opera will take a stab at experimenting with an unknown work, Donizetti’s rarely performed “La Zingara.” “We want to {…}

Mar 6, 2017

‘Les Pêcheurs de Perles’ DVD Review: Damrau, Polenzani, Kwiecien Shine in Must-Buy Metropolitan Opera Production of Bizet’s Gem

For decades Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles” was rarely ever performed. We would hear the famed “Friendship Duet” or get the occasional recording here and there, but seeing a staged performance was a thing of dreams. But now opera lovers can enjoy a live performance of Bizet’s often-ignored work from the comfort of their living rooms. Mind you, the Metropolitan {…}

Mar 5, 2017

Lyric Opera Of Chicago 2016-17 Review – ‘Carmen:’ Dramatic Depth & Power Is Lacking Despite Vocal Finesse Throughout the Cast

izet’sThis review is in reference to the performance on Friday, March 3, 2017. With Bizet’s ever-famous score full of ear tingling music, catchy tunes, and drama-packed scenes, an evening of Carmen is a guaranteed great night at the opera, making this the perfect way for first-timers to first dip their toes into the operatic repertory. The Leads Lyric Opera’s production {…}

Mar 3, 2017

From Broadway to Beyoncé, The Many Adaptations of Bizet’s ‘Carmen’

Bizet’s “Carmen” is one of the great operas of all time and one of the few to really have a massive impact on popular culture. The opera, which premiered back on March 3, 1875, was a failure upon premiering with Bizet never actually getting a chance to experience the success of his masterwork. Since then the opera, which was adapted {…}

Feb 7, 2017

Metropolitan Opera Review 2016-17 – Carmen: Clémentine Margaine & Company Are Dramatically Fulfilling in Bizet’s Masterpiece

This review is for the performance on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017. When Sophie Koch cancelled all of her performances for Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Metropolitan Opera, attention immediately turned toward Clémentine Margaine, who was set to make her Met debut on Feb. 3. Instead the French mezzo saw her first performance at the history house pushed up two weeks. Of {…}

Jan 24, 2017

Amore Opera To Present Two Gypsy Operas To Close Out 2016-17 Season

Amore Opera has just announced its next two opera productions for May and June with gypsies dominating their thematic material. The company’s main website revealed that Bizet’s “Carmen” and Donizetti’s “La Zingara” would be taking the stage to close out the 2017-18 season. The former work is one of the best known in the entire repertoire while the latter is {…}

Jan 16, 2017

Metropolitan Opera 2016-17 Preview: Two Radically Different ‘Carmen’ Interpreters Arrive In Sophie Koch & Clémentine Margaine [UPDATE]

UPDATE: On Tuesday, Jan. 17 it was announced that Sophie Koch would not be singing the role at the Met and that Clémentine Margaine would be taking over the entire run. For more information, read OperaWire’s coverage on the news. Opera’s most famous gypsy returns to the Metropolitan Opera stage on Thursday, Jan. 19. This year’s run of “Carmen” will {…}

Jan 12, 2017

Joseph Calleja to Perform For 2017 Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Joseph Calleja will appear in the Official Opening Concert of the 2017 Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union on Monday, Jan. 16, 2017. The tenor made the announcement via social media on Thursday. He will perform selections from “Die Zauberflöte,” Flotow’s “Martha,” “Roméo et Juliette,” “Werther,” “Tosca,” “Le Cid” and a number of Verdi operas including “Rigoletto” {…}

Jan 3, 2017

The Non-Stop Debutant – Brian Jagde on Busy 2017, Verdi, Wagner & His Five House Debuts [Exclusive]

30 performances. Seven cities. Five house debuts and two role debuts. That is what tenor Brian Jagde faces in 2017. The first half of 2017 that is. The tenor, who has been growing in prominence over the last few years, is slated for a monstrous calendar year that will see him make more house debuts than he ever has before. {…}

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