“Page to Opera Stage” looks at stories – real-life or fiction, old and new – that have inspired operas, and the ways these narratives have been edited and dramatized to fit a new medium. This week’s article looks at the stylings of Prosper Mérimée’s novella “Carmen” and Bizet’s streamlined operatic adaptation. In terms of French literary history, Prosper Mérimée may not {…}
Pacific Opera Project is set to present a series of live, in-person productions this June. The company unveiled that it would be performing Bizet’s “Don Procopio” between June 4-6, 2021 at the Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles, California. All three showcases will feature socially-distanced audiences. The showcase will feature Ben Lowe in the title role alongside Rachel Policar, Jon {…}
The Royal Opera House announced that it will present the special performance of Puccini’s opera ‘La bohème’ in order to express their gratitude to the staff of the National Health Service. The presentation will take place on June 27, 2021. The opera will be performed for specially-invited NHS staff, including nurses and healthcare support workers from the Royal Opera House’s {…}
Throughout its history, the $244.4 billion film industry, has relied heavily on historical embellishment for its “narrative spice,” these choices often creating ethical challenges. For example, despite being crowned Best Picture at the 2013 Oscar Awards, the harrowing film “Argo,” a tale about the ersatz American film crew tasked with saving six captive Americans from Iran, is chock-full of historical {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a film section or a film in its entirety and highlight the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features Florian {…}
On April 27, 2021, Victorian Opera will present Georges Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers,” held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Maestro Richard Mills conducts the Orchestra Victoria, and a cast comprised of soprano Kathryn Radcliffe as Leila, bass-baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Nourabad, tenor Carlos E. Barcenas as Nadir, and baritone Stephen Marsh as Zurga. This semi-staged concert production is {…}
Gulfshore Opera in Naples, Florida has announced its “Carmen Gala” scheduled for March 23, 2021. The annual gala concert, which will feature local artists, was originally scheduled for Feb. 28, 2021, and was set to feature Irish tenor Anthony Kearns. However, Kearns was unable to participate due to restrictions on international travel as a result of COVID-19. The company was {…}
(Photo Credits: © Wiener Staatsoper / Michael Pöhn / Bayerische Staatsoper official website / Chen Reiss official website) The Wiener Staatsoper has announced the next slate of operas that will be presented on its streaming platform over the next week. The week opens with three operas by Leoš Janáček. First up is Leoš Janáček’s operatic masterwork “Káťa Kabanová” with Angela {…}
(Credits: David Agassi / Johannes Ifkovits / Deniz Saylan / Sony Classical / Wiener Staatsoper official website) Wiener Staatsoper has announced the next slate of operas that it will be presenting on its streaming platform over the next week. First up is Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” with Mariusz Kwiecien, Erwin Schrott, Marina Rebeka, Juliane Banse, and Benjamin Bruns. Ádám Fischer conducts {…}
Credit: David Agassi Mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili will give a recital at the ABAO Bilbao Ópera on Feb. 27, 2020. Rachvelishvili will perform in lieu of Ermonela Jaho, who was previously scheduled for this showcase. The mezzo-soprano will be accompanied by pianist Vincenzo Scalera. Anita Rachvelishvili recently tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time, forcing a live stream of “Carmen” {…}
(Credit: http://www.avantartmagazin.com/) Famed Serbian mezzo-soprano Biserka Cvejić has died at the age of 97. Cvejić performed over 70 roles during throughout her renowned career, including Bizet’s “Carmen,” which became one of her calling cards. Other major roles included Eboli in Verdi’s “Don Carlos,” Amneris in “Aida,” Ulrica in “Un Ballo in Maschera,” Azucena in “Il Trovatore,” Charlotte in Massenet’s “Werther,” {…}