Opera Meets Film: How ‘The Pearl Fishers’ Love Duet in ‘Little Women (1994)’ Highlights Hollywood’s Questionable Embellishment Habits

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 {…}

Kathryn Radcliffe, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, & Carlos E. Barcenas Headline Victorian Opera’s ‘The Pearl Fishers’

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 {…}

Anita Rachvelishvili, Piotr Beczała, Federica Lombardi & Chen Reiss Headline Wiener Staatsoper Streaming Slate

(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 {…}

Anita Rachvelishvili, Piotr Beczała, Isabel Leonard, Juan Diego Flórez, Luca Pisaroni Headline Wiener Staatsoper Streaming Slate

(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 {…}

Obituary: Mezzo-Soprano Biserka Cvejić Dies at 97

(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,” {…}

Iván López-Reynoso Appointed New Artistic Director of Orquesta Del Teatro De Bellas Artes

(Credit: Jesús Cornejo/Cortesía) The Orquesta Del Teatro De Bellas Artes in Mexico City has announced that conductor and counter-tenor Iván López-Reynoso has been appointed its new Artistic Director. López-Reynoso also holds the position of the Chief Guest Conductor of the Oviedo Filarmonía. “Being the next Artistic Director of Orquesta Del Teatro De Bellas Artes is the greatest honor I have {…}