In the beginning of the 20th-century there was a snootiness about verismo opera. All of its propagators – Puccini, Giordano, Mascagni, among others – were accused of simplifying opera by eliminating many of its challenges. Those long showy lines of coloratura were long gone. In place of it, the singers began interspersing notes and passages with great long sighs or {…}
Due to a family emergency, Italian tenor Fabio Sartori has had to withdraw from the role of Canio in “Pagliacci” at the Royal Opera House. As a result Bryan Hymel will perform the role on Dec. 2, 6 and 9. It will mark his role debut. Hymel will also add Turiddu to his debut and he will become yet another {…}
The weekend sees two new high profile productions open with star-studded casts. Meanwhile, Jonas Kaufmann and Elina Garanca headline major revivals throughout Europe. Hagen-Siegfried-Brundhilde – Theater an der Wien, Austria On Dec. 1, the Theater an der Wien will open a new ring cycle which was developed based on Richard Wagner’s music and was especially done for the Theater an der Wien. {…}
This Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden opens its production of the famed Italian double bill often known as “CavPag.” “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” will get 11 performances this season with the final one slated for Jan. 13, 2018, almost a month-and-a-half after it opens its run. Here are reasons to see this year’s “CavPag” at {…}
It’s a rather quiet weekend for opera houses with many companies presenting ballet or concert series. Still, there are many favorites for opera fans! Austria “Katja Kabanova” highlights the Vienna State Opera starring Wolfgang Bankl, Herbert Lippert, Janina Baechle, Leonardo Navarro, Evelyn Herlitzius and Carlos Osuna. The company will also showcase “Un Ballo in Maschera” with Piero Pretti, Marco Caria, and Adrianne Pieczonka. {…}
Opera season continues in full circle with many of the leading companies bringing some of the top stars and showcasing favorite works. Australia Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov continue their tour in Australia, performing in Auckland. Austria The Vienna State Opera kicks off its weekend with “The Gambler” starring Dmitry Ulyanov, Elena Guseva, Misha Didyk, Linda Watson, Thomas Ebenstein, Elena Maximova, {…}
On Oct. 12, 2017, the Royal Opera House brings back Verdi’s “Les Vêpres Siciliennes” in Stefan Herheim’s production, which appeared at the theater in 2013. The production reunites Bryan Hymel, Michael Volle and Erwin Schrott, both of which took on the production during its initial run. Hymel took on the heroic role of Henri, Volle of his father Guy de {…}
Bryan Hymel, born on August 8, 1979, is one of the exciting artists living and breathing today. The American tenor, whose lyric voice makes him perfect for the French repertoire and some dips into the Italian, is one of the most sought-after around the world, putting his mark on such operas as “Les Troyens” and “Guillaume Tell.” He doesn’t have {…}
Opera fans in Paris will be treated to an operatic extravaganza on Friday, July 14, as part of the celebration of Bastille Day. The performance will feature the Orchestre National de Paris under the direction of Valery Gergiev. The program will feature such artists as Nadine Sierra, Bryan Hymel, Ludovic Tézier, Diana Damrau, Anita Rachvelishvili, among other soloists. The quintet {…}
What do you do when your lead soprano cancels your production? You cancel the show and put on a concert of excerpts. That is exactly what the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, did when soprano Kristin Lewis, singing the role of Elisabetta, was taken to the hospital a few hours before the performance. Since the company did not have another {…}
Want some Anna Netrebko in your weekend? Want to see a rising new star who will be a major player in June at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition? Or simply looking for opera on your travels? Here is what is in store this weekend around the world. Austria The Vienna State Opera kicks off its weekend presenting {…}
