(Credit: Julien Benhamou / ONP) Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” is undeniably one of the most complex to stage. Not only is it a tremendous challenge for each of the major singers cast in the work, but it presents unique obstacles for any director who opts to take it on. The opera, despite being by one the greatest opera composers {…}
Five new DVDs are set for release this week. They include four rarely performed works and one of the most popular operas in the repertoire. Here is a look. Das Wunder Der Heliane Naxos is set to release Korngold’s rarely performed opus, which was recorded at the Deutsche Oper Berlin’s 2018 festival season. The acclaimed performance stars American soprano Sara Jakubiak, {…}
Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” is one of the most difficult operas in the repertoire. It’s rarely performed for its sheer scale and the singers it requires. However, many of its arias and duets are well-known and it is an opera many singers dream of performing. This week, the work returns to the Opéra de Paris with an strong cast and {…}
When the the Gran Teatre del Liceu announced that legendary octogenarian Italian regista Pier Luigi Pizzi would be directing a new production of “La Gioconda” with Iréne Theorin making her title role debut, it was on paper at least, a must-see event. Unfortunately the parchment tended to perforate even before the prima when the celebrated Swedish diva canceled and second-cast {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced its 2019-20 Season featuring some of the greatest singers in the world in 17 new productions of both ballet and opera. For this article, we will only focus on opera performances. Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” opens the 2019-20 season with Erwin Schrott in the title role alongside Roberto Tagliavini, Malin Byström, Christine Rice. Daniel Behle, Emanuele D’Aguanno, Louise Alder, Lars Woldt, {…}
It’s an interesting weekend filled with two rare works, concert performances and a lot of “Manon” with multiple singers performing the work for the first time. Here is a look at what are excited for. Robert le Diable – La Monnaie du Mont, Belgium Lisette Oropesa headlines the final concert performance of Meyerbeer’s rarely performed work which also stars Dmitry {…}
One of the most exciting aspects of a new season is the fact that audiences will get an opportunity to encounter new artists for the very first time. This is also the case at the Wiener Staatsoper, which will feature a plethora of debuts in numerous major productions. Here is a look at five stars set to make headlines as {…}
The Vienna State Opera has announced its 2019-20 season, which includes six new productions and a whopping 58 operas overall. There are also a plethora of concert performances as well featuring some of the greatest opera stars on the planet. New Productions The new season kicks off with a new production of Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Directed by Irina {…}
The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its 2019-20 season, which will include six new productions and dozens of revivals with some of opera’s greatest stars. New Productions The first new production of the season will be Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino.” The production will be directed by Frank Castorf and will star Russell Thomas and Marcelo Alvarez as Don Alvaro. {…}
The Dutch National Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring a number of new productions, one world premiere, two company premieres, and a many role debuts by some of the top artists in the world. The season opens with “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” in a new production by Robert Carsen. Brandon Jovanovich stars as Canio in Leoncavallo’s masterpiece alongside Ailyn Pérez {…}
On Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, TimeIn Children’s Arts Initiative hosted “Vissi d’Amore” at Gavin Brown’s enterprise in New York City, which featured performances by bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni, soprano Jennifer Rowley, and tenor Brian Jagde, who is advisory board member of TimeIn. The event was a rather relaxed and casual affair. The entrance of Gavin Brown’s enterprise featured a prominent art {…}