Breaking News: Sophie Koch Cancels ‘Carmen’ At Metropolitan Opera As Clémentine Margaine Takes on Entire Run in Debut

Clémentine Margaine will make her Metropolitan Opera debut on Jan. 19, 2017, a full two weeks earlier than previously expected. The Mezzo soprano, who is playing “Carmen,” will replace Sophie Koch who dropped out of all her performances due to illness, according to the Met’s press department and as originally reported by Parterre. Margaine was originally scheduled to make her {…}

Metropolitan Opera 2016-17 Preview: Two Radically Different ‘Carmen’ Interpreters Arrive In Sophie Koch & Clémentine Margaine [UPDATE]

UPDATE: On Tuesday, Jan. 17 it was announced that Sophie Koch would not be singing the role at the Met and that Clémentine Margaine would be taking over the entire run. For more information, read OperaWire’s coverage on the news.  Opera’s most famous gypsy returns to the Metropolitan Opera stage on Thursday, Jan. 19. This year’s run of “Carmen” will {…}

Joseph Calleja to Perform For 2017 Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Joseph Calleja will appear in the Official Opening Concert of the 2017 Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union on Monday, Jan. 16, 2017. The tenor made the announcement via social media on Thursday. He will perform selections from “Die Zauberflöte,” Flotow’s “Martha,” “Roméo et Juliette,” “Werther,” “Tosca,” “Le Cid” and a number of Verdi operas including “Rigoletto” {…}

Weekend Preview – International (1/6- 1/8): Marco Berti Debuts ‘Otello’ at Hamburg As Brian Jagde Makes Munich Debut

This weekend a number of companies will remain on holiday breaks while many major theaters will feature great opera and great singers such as Juan Diego Florez, Brian Jagde, Renee Fleming and Marco Berti. Austria Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” will be performed at the Vienna State Opera on Friday evening followed by Bellini’s “La Sonnambula” starring OperaWire Artist of the Week Daniela Fally {…}