(Credit: Karen Almond / Met Opera) The 350th performance of “Turandot” at the Met exceeded expectations with Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv and Russian soprano Elena Pankratova making their house debuts and intentionally working together to deliver jaw-dropping moments of overwhelming musical beauty and power. The night also featured remarkable performances by South Korean tenor SeokJong Baek, Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak, {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond) It’s been a long time since “La Forza del Destino” got a chance on the Met stage. To be exact, it’s been about 18 years. Back then, in 2006, the Verdi melodrama was presented in an imposing traditionally-set production with a cast of Italianate voices. It was supposed to return a decade later in a new production {…}
(Credit: Royal Opera) I suppose anything with “Destiny” in the title will always be a bit profound. In fact, “La Forza” is about as profound and gloomy, if not downright dark as it gets, even by Verdi’s standards. At around four and a half hours, it’s also his longest work. It’s a story of love, death, and revenge. Mainly revenge. {…}
On Mar. 12, 2023, the Metropolitan Opera revived and gave the Robert Carsen-directed “Falstaff” its season premiere, marking the company’s 193rd performance that crackled with energy and verve. There was electricity in the crowd, as well. At times, an opening night can feel like a final dress rehearsal. This was not one of those times. The show was tight and {…}
(Photo Credits: Emma Birski / OnP) Opéra National de Paris has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is the full slate. Operas “The Seven Deaths of Maria Callas” by Marina Abramovic will open the season. The showcase stars Nadezhda Karyazina, Selene Zanetti, Leah Hawkins, Adela Zaharia, Lauren Fagan, Gabriella Reyes, and Hera Hyesang Park. Yoel Gamzou conducts. Performance dates: Sep. 1 {…}
(Credits: Alessandro Moggi / Julian Hargreaves / Opéra National de Paris official website) Teatro Massimo di Palermo is set to live stream a production of Giuseppe Verdi and Francesco Maria Piave’s opera “Ernani” on Feb. 26, 2021 at 8 p.m. CET. The opera will star Eleonora Buratto in the role of Elvira, Simone Piazzola as Don Carlos, Michele Pertusi in {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced the next two weeks of nightly streams which will include a number of operas focused on the greatest roles for sopranos as well as its greatest anti-heroes. Here’s a run-down of the two-week slate. Week 45– Leading Ladies: Opera’s Greatest Heroines Monday, January 18 – Bizet’s Carmen Starring Anita Hartig, Anita Rachvelishvili, Aleksandrs Antonenko, and Ildar {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its next two weeks of weekly streams which will kick off with an entire week dedicated to opera’s greatest rivalries. Then the company will pay tribute to one of the greatest stars of the last few decades. Here is a look. Week 43– Epic Rivalries Monday, January 4 – Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur Starring Anna Netrebko, Anita {…}
This week four recordings are set to be released from a diverse group of performers. Here is a look at what you stream this week. Placido Domingo 50th Anniversary Gala C-Major Entertainment releases Plácido Domingo’s 50th-anniversary gala at the Arena di Verona. The gala, which was recorded in 2019, showcases the famed singer performing from Verdi’s “Macbeth,” “Nabucco,” and “Simon {…}
(Credit: Brescia e Amisano) The Teatro alla Scala has announced its upcoming opera streams via Raiplay and Rai5. On Monday, April 20, the company will present Mozart’s “Lucio Silla” on Raiplay with Kresimir Spicer, Lenneke Ruiten, Marianne Crebassa, Inga Kalna, and Giulia Semenzato. On that same day, Verdi’s “Giovanna d’Arco” will be presented on Rai5 with Anna Netrebko, Francesco Meli, {…}
The Mostly Mozart Festival has announced its 2020 festival. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be on vocal performances. The season kicks off with “Divine Connection,” a world premiere staging of Mozart’s Requiem and works by Arvo Pärt. The performance will feature Sunhae Im, Daniela Mack, Matthew Swensen, Ryan Speedo Green, and the Choir of Trinity Wall {…}