(Photo Brno: Marek Olbryzmek) Britten’s “Peter Grimes” is a director’s dream. Who is Grimes? It is certain he is a loner; an outsider and a social misfit open to fits of temper. Yet there is also a sensitive side to his nature that comes out intermittently throughout the opera, notably in his aria “Now the Great Bear and the Pleiades” {…}
(Photo: Tamara Cerna SofiG) Immediately after the curtain came down on Brno National Theater’s excellent production of Richard Strauss’ “Salome,” OperaWire nipped around to the stage door for an interview appointment with Slovakian soprano Linda Ballová, who had just produced a stunning performance in the titular role. It is unlikely that many opera-goers in Western countries will have heard the {…}
(Photo: Attila Nagy) Following Linda Ballová’s compelling performance in the title role of “Salome” at the Brno National Theatre, OperaWire thought it would be interesting to interview the Slovakian soprano. After which, we had a short chat to find out more about the person behind the voice. OperaWire: What was the first opera you saw? Linda Ballová: It was “Carmen” {…}
Performances of Antonín Dvořák’s opera “The Jacobin” are certainly rare events, particularly outside the Czech Republic. Whether or not its neglect can be deemed deserved, however, is less certain. Its recent production by the Brno National Theatre, directed by Martin Glaser, would suggest that it has, indeed, been treated unfairly. Sure, it is full of folk melodies, dancing peasants, stock {…}