Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Elīna Garanča & Plácido Domingo Highlight Wiener Staatsoper’s 2020-21 Season

The Wiener Staatsoper has announced its massive 2020-21 season. Here is a rundown. Premieres Philippe Jordan conducts Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly“ in Anthony Minghella’s acclaimed production. The production from 2005 arrived in Vienna with Asmik Grigorian in the title role, Virginie Verrez, Freddie De Tommaso, and Boris Pinkhasovich. In January, Grigorian is joined by Noa Beinart and Marcelo Puente. A third {…}

Apr 22, 2020

Leah Crocetto, Luca Pisaroni & Brenda Rae Highlight Washington Concert Opera’s 2020-21 Season

Credit: Jiyang Chen/Dario Acosta The Washington Concert Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring three operas. The season opens with Giuseppe Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra,” which was originally scheduled for May 2020. Artists to be announced. Performance Date: Sept. 13, 2020 Gioachino Rossini’s rarely performed “Maometto II” will get a concert performance featuring Luca Pisaroni in the title role, Leah Crocetto, {…}

Feb 24, 2020

Metropolitan Opera 2019-20 Live in HD: Joyce DiDonato Stars in ‘Agrippina’

(Credit: Marty Sohl / Metropolitan Opera) The Met Opera’s Live in HD series for the 2019-20 season continues this Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 with a transmission of “Agrippina,” which was composed by Handel to a libretto by Grimani. The broadcast, which kicks off 12:55 p.m. Eastern time, will feature Joyce DiDonato in the title role with Brenda Rae as Poppea, {…}

Feb 13, 2020

Alexis Rose to Stormy Daniels – How Brenda Rae Draws from Contemporary References in ‘Agrippina’

Debuting at the Metropolitan Opera is a hard gig to come by, especially when it’s a principal role in a new production in an opera that’s never even been performed on the Met stage. But after a decade of singing leading roles all over the world, American soprano Brenda Rae is readier than ever to tackle New York’s biggest stage, {…}

Feb 7, 2020

Metropolitan Opera 2019-20 Review: Agrippina

(Credit: Marty Sohl / Metropolitan Opera) The operas of Handel are not necessarily standards at the Metropolitan Opera. And to a certain extent, that is understandable. They are rather expansive in runtime with ample casts and a musical style that doesn’t always suit the cavernous hall. But the reality is that these operas, while dating to the 18th century, are {…}

Feb 7, 2020

Joyce DiDonato, Lidiya Yankovskaya, Amanda Woodbury Lead Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – North America

The good news – there is a lot of good opera going around North America throughout the weekend. As such, this weekend’s top picks were not easy to come by or select. But the curation came down to a number of unique new operas and rarely performed gems of old with star-studded casts stretching from the east all the way {…}

Feb 3, 2020

Artist Of The Week: Brenda Rae

(Credit: Marty Sohl/Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera House is a dream for every opera singer. This week acclaimed coloratura soprano and rising star Brenda Rae will get a chance to realize that very dream when she makes her Met debut in the company’s first-ever production of Handel and Grimani’s “Agrippina.” Rae, who is a former ensemble member of Oper Frankfurt {…}

Nov 1, 2019

Jennifer Rowley, Kristine Opolais & Ramona Zaharia Lead International Weekend – (11/1-3)

(Credit: Catherine Ashmore-Royal Opera/ Jochen Quast-Deutsche Oper Am Rhein) This weekend is all about the repertory staples and intriguing casts that currently performing them. Here is a look at what we think you need to see. Un Ballo in Maschera- Narodni Diavdlo, Czech Republic Jennifer Rowley continues her run of Verdi’s middle period masterpiece. She sings the role of Amelia {…}

Apr 13, 2019

Théâtre des Champs-Élysées Paris 2019 Review: Semele

At the end of “Semele” the chorus sings “Happy, happy, shall we be.” The text is a perfect sobriquet for anything to do with Harry Bicket and the English Concert. Their forays into the world of baroque music are never less than an exhilarating experience for audiences and artists alike. Meticulous musicianship and a palpable passion for playing make their annual {…}

Apr 11, 2019

Sonya Yoncheva, Plácido Domingo & Ermonela Jaho Highlight Teatro Real 2019-20 Season

The Teatro Real has announced its 2019-20 season featuring seven Teatro Real premieres and three Spanish premieres. Here is a look at what to expect. The season opens with Verdi’s “Don Carlo“ with Nicola Luisotti conducting a production by David McVicar. The opera returns after a 14 year absence with Francesco Meli, Andrea Carè, and Alfred Kim sharing the title {…}

Feb 20, 2019

J’Nai Bridges, Brenda Rae & The Six Exciting Debuts Of the Met Opera’s 2019-20 Season

One of the most exciting aspects of a new season is the fact that audiences will get an opportunity to encounter new and exciting artists for the very first time. This is also the case at the Metropolitan Opera, which will feature a plethora of debuts in numerous major productions. Here is a look at six stars that we are {…}