(Photo credit: Jean-Louis Fernandez) Eight years ago, Katie Mitchell’s staging of “Pelléas et Mélisande” was opera-lovers’ favorite summer topic. Echoes of its greatness could be heard in the wintery Brazilian July, and in the fall, when I was in Scotland, people still commented how great—or heterodox—it was. Its return to Aix’s stage reminds us of its scenic beauty and proves {…}
The Festival d’Aix en Provence has announced a cast change for its production of “Pelléas et Mélisande.” The company said that due to personal reasons, Julia Bullock will not be able to come to Aix this summer. Chiara Skerath will take over the role of Melisande. Bullock took to social media and said, “It’s with some sadness to share that {…}
(Credit: Staatsoper Unter den Linden / Marcus Ebener) The Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin has announced its Barocktage. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on vocal works only. Here is a look. Baritone Adam Kutny kicks off the festival with the children opera “Theseus’ Reise in die Unterwelt.” Carolina Nees is the moderator. Performance Dates: Nov. {…}
(Credits: Opéra de Limoges official website / Vincent Pontet) Opéra de Limoges has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is a look at the operatic and vocal performances. “Goyescas” features Vanessa Goikoetxea, Kévin Amiel, Armando Noguera, and Héloïse Mas. Robert Tuohy conducts. Performance dates: Nov. 7 – 9, 2021 Clémentine Bourgoin, Pierre Lebon, Flannan Obé, and Antoni Sykopoulos perform Olivier Py’s {…}
(Credits: LA Opera official website / Kristen Hoebermann / Dario Acosta / Opéra National de Paris official website) Opéra de Lille has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is a look. Operas André Campra’s “Idoménée” spotlights Tassis Christoyannis, Samuel Boden, Chiara Skerath, Hélène Carpentier, Eva Zaïcik, Yoann Dubruque, Victor Sicard, Enguerrand de Hys, and Frédéric Caton. Emmanuelle Haïm conducts the production {…}
The Opéra National de Bordeaux will reopen its doors for audiences with a production of Bizet‘s “Carmen.” Due to ongoing concerns over COVID-19, the production will have two stagings, one that lasts one hour, and a full staging with an intermission. The opera will star mezzo-sopranos Aude Extrémo and Adèle Charvet in the title role; tenors Stanislas de Barbeyrac and {…}
(Credits: © Julian Laidig / © Capucine de Chocqueuse / Justin Hyer / Giulia Papetti) The Festival international d’Opéra Baroque & Romantique Beaune has announced its 2021 program, consisting of seven operas and oratorios, and four recitals. The festival will take place from July 9 until July 31, 2021. Operas & Oratorios Mozart‘s rarely performed operatic masterwork “Lucio Silla” will {…}
(Credits: Kartal Karagedik / © Capucine de Chocqueuse / Christian Felber) Opernhaus Zürich will live stream two of its productions in February 2021. Due to the Swiss government’s COVID-19 regulations, both productions will be performed without a live public. Performances will be viewable on the Opernhaus Zürich’s website. First up will be Franz Schubert’s “Winterreise.” Hans Zender’s rearrangement of Schubert’s {…}
(Credits: Opernhaus Zürich official website / https://www.opera-online.com / Basel.com) The Opernhaus Zürich, Grand Théâtre de Genève, and Theater Basel have all announced their respective closures until at least Feb. 28, 2021. The announcements came as a result of a decision by Swiss federal authorities to extend the lockdown until Feb. 28, 2021. The Opernhaus Zürich stated that it also had {…}
(Image Source: Festival international d’opéra baroque & romantique Beaune Facebook page) The Festival international d’Opéra Baroque & Romantique Beaune has announced its 2020 program, consisting of seven operas and oratorios, and three vocal works. Operas and Oratorios Mozart and Schikaneder opera “Die Zauberflöte” will showcase Julian Prégardien, Mari Eriksmoen, Sarah Traubel, Andreas Wolf, Elena Galitskaya, Jan Martinik, Maxime Melnik, Norma {…}
In non-German speaking countries, Carl Maria von Weber’s 1821 opera “Der Freischütz” is a bit of a seltener Vogel. In the past five years, apart from Matthias Hartmann’s memorable production at La Scala in 2017 and Mark Elder’s concert version at the Royal Festival Hall the year before, Anglophone audiences remain largely unexposed to this groundbreaking romantic German opera. The {…}