(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) Thirty-four years ago, Sonja Frisell’s monumental “Aida” production premiered at the Met to tremendous success. Not only did it become one of the company’s most beloved productions due to its elegant and epic sets that recreated Egyptian architecture. The production had horses, large crowds of people, and extravagant costumes. It was what operagoers wanted {…}
The Metropolitan Opera will reprise Verdi’s “Aida” in a staging by Sonja Frisell, which will mark the last time the production will be seen on the Met stage. The production, which premiered in 1988, has been performed over 240 times and features production designer Gianni Quaranta’s sets. The revival will be performed 15 times from Dec. 3, 2022 through April {…}
Photos: Dario Acosta The Richard Tucker Award and Gala came back in full force after two years with no awards. A galaxy of operatic stars was on hand for the event held in the newly renovated David Geffen Hall, which was designed to remedy the venue’s seemingly intractable issue with—of all things—acoustics. (Geffen Hall is the home of the New {…}
Des Moines Metro Opera has announced its 2023 Festival season. The season opens with “Carmen.” Taylor Raven stars in the title role alongside tenor Matthew Cairns. Kelly Kuo conducts. Performance Dates: June 30 – July 23, 2023 Christian Van Horn and Sara Gartland star in “Bluebeard’s Castle.” Kristine McIntyre direct with David Neely conducting. Performance Dates: July 1 – 22, {…}
(Credit: Jaclyn Simpson) Art Bath has announced its schedule of immersive salon performances this fall. The performances, which take place in New York City at The Blue Building on East 46th Street, will feature performances by five to eight artists or groups. Per an official press statement, “Audiences will be guided through a multidisciplinary and multi-sensory experience, exploring the corridors {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl) The Metropolitan Opera is set to revive Stravinsky’s iconic “The Rake’s Progress” on May 30, 2022. The opera will be conducted by Susanna Mälkki, making her company return for the first time since 2016. The Jonathan Miller production will be headlined by Ben Bliss, Golda Schultz in her role debut as Anne, and Raehann Bryce-Davis as Baba {…}
(Credit: Simon Pauly) The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its production of “Lucia di Lammermoor.” The company noted that Christian Van Horn will replace Matthew Rose for the May 17 and 21 performances in the role of Raimondo. Van Horn took to social media and noted, “Surprised and humbled this week to join the cast of Met {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard) In the opera world, it’s a common cliché to think that Mozart, because of the simplicity of his music, is “easy to perform.” That’s often why we see opera conservatories and universities often take on his masterpieces for performances. But in my view, nothing is more challenging than Mozart. Not only is the music itself complex in {…}
(Credit: Bayerische Staatsoper official website / Deutsche Oper am Rhein official website / Yan Bleney) Opéra National de Paris has announced an upcoming production of Mozart and Da Ponte’s “Don Giovanni.” The opera opens on Feb. 1, and runs through March 11, 2022, for a total of 13 performances. The famed work will be headlined by Christian Van Horn in {…}
(Credit: Karin Cooper) During the Washington National Opera’s 2021-22 season Opening Night gala, the company announced that Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s family honored her love for the Washington National Opera with a gift of her piano. The gift also included the costume worn for her appearance in a WNO’s production of Donizetti’s “La fille du régiment” in 2016. The company was {…}
(Credit: Scott Suchman) On Nov. 6, the Washington National Opera opened its 2021-22 in celebratory fashion by showcasing a gala with five international artists. But it wasn’t just any old gala, it was particularly themed and carefully constructed. The evening was divided into three parts – the arts celebrating the return of opera and the artistic world after gloomy days {…}