In 1924, Giacomo Puccini was indisputably the most renowned, successful, wealthy, and frequently performed living composer in the world. However, the maestro had a big vice: he was an avid smoker. This habit took its toll on him when, after visiting his doctor for a persistent cough and various respiratory issues, he received the devastating diagnosis of an inoperable throat {…}
(Credit: Teatro alla Scala / Brescia – Amisano) The Teatro alla Scala has announced a new cast change for its production of “Turandot.” The company said that Brian Jagde will sing the final performance on July 15 replacing Yusif Eyvazov, who was originally announced as the replacement to Roberto Alagna. Jagde performed the July 9 and 12 shows to great {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has announced a cast change for its final three performances of Puccini’s “Turandot.” The company said, “Due to illness, Roberto Alagna has to withdraw from the performance of “Turandot” on July 9, 12 and 15. The role of Calaf will be entrusted to Brian Jagde for the performances on July 9 and 12, and to Yusif {…}
The Japan Performing Arts Foundation has announced the cancelation of the July 6 concert with Sondra Radvanovsky and Brian Jagde. The company said, “It is with great regret that we announce that Sondra Radvanovsky and Brian Jagde Duo Concert scheduled on 6 July 2024 has been canceled because of Radvanovsky’s withdrawal due to a severe ear infection and sinusitis. We {…}
Rai Cultura is set to broadcast the Arena di Verona’s opening night concert “La Grande Opera Italiana Patrimonio dell’Umanità” on June 7. The concert is set to feature such artists as Anna Netrebko, Eleonora Buratto, Rosa Feola, Juliana Grigoryan, Jessica Pratt, Mariangela Sicilia, Aigul Akhmetshina, Jonas Kaufmann, Juan Diego Flórez, Vittorio Grigòlo, Brian Jagde, Francesco Meli, Galeano Salas, Nicola Alaimo, Luca {…}
The Staatsoper Unter den Linden has announced its 2024-25 season. Premieres Luca Salsi and Anna Netrebko team up for Verdi’s “Nabucco.” Ivan Magrì, Marina Prudenskaya, and René Pape join them. Anastasia Bartoli also performs. Bertrand de Billy conducts the new production by Emma Dante. Performance Dates: Oct. 2-26, 2024 Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” receives a new production featuring multiple casts. {…}
(Credit: Fabrizio Sansoni) OperaVision has revealed its upcoming slate for late April and May 2024. First up is Garsington Opera’s “Ariadne auf Naxos” from June 18, 2023. The opera stars Natalya Romaniw, Young Woo Kim, Jennifer France, and Polly Leech. Streaming Dates: April 26 – Oct. 26, 2025 Next up is Lviv National Opera’s “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” from Mach 7, {…}
The Teatro alla Scala is set to stream Mario Martone’s production of “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci.” The operas will be streamed on April 26 on La Scala TV at 7:45 CEST in HD and will be on demand through May 3, 2024. Mascagni’s work will star Elīna Garanča, Francesca Di Sauro, Brian Jagde, Roman Burdenko, and Elena Zilio while Leoncavallo’s {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera Josep Pons conducts Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” with Alexei Botnarciuc, Daniel Kirch, Sara Jakubiak, Ángeles Blancas, and Pavel Černoch. Àlex Ollé conducts. Performance Date: Sept. 25-Oct. 7, 2024 Maria Agresta and Saioa Hernández star in Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” with Artur Ruciński, Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Brian {…}
The Deustche Oper Berlin has announced its 2024-25 season. Premieres Respighi’s “La Fiamma” will be directed by Christof Loy and conducted by Carlo Rizzi. The cast will include Aušrine Stundyte, Georgy Vasiliev, Vladislav Sulimsky, Martina Serafin, Sua Jo, Cristina Toledo, Martina Baroni, Karis Tucker, Caren Van Oijen, Doris Soffel, and Patrick Guetti. Performance Dates: Sept. 29-Oct. 18, 2024 Enrique Mazzola {…}
The Teatro Real de Madrid has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera Nicola Luisotti and Andrés Salado conduct Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur” in David McVicar’s production. The production will star Ermonela Jaho, Maria Agresta, Brian Jagde, Matthew Polenzani, Elīna Garanča, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Nicola Alaimo, and Manel Esteve. Performance Dates: Sept. 23-Oct. 11, 2024 Charpentier’s “David et Jonathas” will be performed in concert with Petr Nekoranec, Gwendoline Blondeel, Jean-Christophe {…}