Arrigo Boito’s “Mefistofele” is a work of glorious moments that has yet to find a stable place in the standard repertoire. Despite being derived from Goethe’s famed “Faust,” great arias for the major leads, and an amazing part for any opera house’s chorus, it has never been as popular as other adaptations of the same source material(ie: Gounod’s “Faust”). In {…}
On Thursday, Nov. 8, Boito’s “Mefistofele” makes its return to the Metropolitan Opera after an 18-year hiatus. Of the opera’s 67 performances, all but 13 came before 1927, which makes a statement on the opera’s popularity with the company. It has never quite turned into a major staple of the repertoire at large, though it has been growing in popularity {…}
It’s a Christian van Horn kind of year. The bass-baritone has already opened a new production of “Faust” at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, headlined opening night at Opera Philadelphia, and won the Richard Tucker Award. He also starred at the Canadian Opera and returns to the Metropolitan Opera for “La Bohème.” But perhaps his biggest assignment will come this week when he sings {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced the participation of several singers in the Renée Fleming 25th Anniversary Concert & Gala. The gala, which is set to honor and celebrate Fleming’s extraordinary commitment to Chicago and her unparalleled contributions to the art form, will see Sondra Radvanovsky, Susan Graham, Lawrence Brownlee, Quinn Kelsey, Željko Lučić, Eric Owens, and Christian Van Horn {…}
Every year, there are a few events in the New York opera scene that occupy top billing in most people’s minds. Among them might be the Metropolitan Opera’s opening season performance, it’s New Year’s showcase, and some new productions littered here and there. For some, the New York City Opera’s productions also continue to hold value. And then some smaller {…}
The Richard Tucker shall be streamed on medici.tv this Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018 free of charge. The broadcast will also be available on Facebook and via WQXR for audience in New York. This year’s concert will center on bass Christian Van Horn, who won the Richard Tucker Award. He is set to perform in Boito’s “Mefistofele” at the Metropolitan Opera {…}
Christian Van Horn is one of today’s rising stars in the opera world, the bass making major role debuts and opening new productions at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Canadian Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera. This year, he became the third bass-baritone to win the Richard Tucker Award and the first of his voice type since 2003. Van Horn’s {…}
Puccini’s “La Bohème” comes back every season to the Met Opera. And because of its popularity, the opera often features a number of different casts, which can make it tricky for audiences to decide when to head to Lincoln Center for Puccini’s famed masterpiece. Here is a breakdown of the casts so you can be sure to catch this great {…}
Bass-baritone Christian Van Horn has been announced as the winner of the 2018 Richard Tucker Award, given to an American singer on the “threshold of an international career.” The announcement was made on Monday. The award comes with a $50,000 cash prize in addition to a high-profile concert in late 2018 which will feature Van Horn singing alongside past recipients {…}
Opera Philadelphia has announced its 2018-19 season. The season will see the company continue to shape the future of opera. The 2018-2019 season will kick off on September 20-30 with the festival’s second edition, O18, comprising five operatic happenings – two world premieres, two new productions, and a three-part cabaret event – at multiple venues across the city. The season will {…}
There was much anticipation Saturday night for the opening of “Faust” at Lyric Opera of Chicago in a new co-production with the Portland Opera. It’s certain that Gounod’s tale of the title character making a deal with the devil has never been told this way. There’s probably a clear dividing line on this production. If you prefer a grand opera {…}