Three releases lead this week with one continuing a Mozart series and another featuring a world premiere. The Thirteenth Child Poul Ruders’ latest opera gets a world premiere recording following the first performances at the Santa Fe Opera. The cast includes Sarah Shafer as Princess Lyra, Tamara Mumford as Queen Gertrude/Ghost of Gertrude, Ashraf Sewailam as Drokan, Alasdair Kent as Prince {…}
Five new DVDs are set for release this week. They include four rarely performed works and one of the most popular operas in the repertoire. Here is a look. Das Wunder Der Heliane Naxos is set to release Korngold’s rarely performed opus, which was recorded at the Deutsche Oper Berlin’s 2018 festival season. The acclaimed performance stars American soprano Sara Jakubiak, {…}
Philharmonie Luxembourg has announced its 15th anniversary season. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on vocal performances. The 2019-20 season will kick off with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra. Soprano Rebecca Nelsen will be featured vocally. The program will include Berg’s “Lulu” Suite and Mahler’s Symphony No. 9. Performance Date: Oct. 3, 2019 William Christie will lead {…}
May 1, 1786. That is the day that, for many, the greatest opera of all-time had its very first performance. “Le Nozze di Figaro” has held the stage ever since, performed by all the great interpreters all over the world. The work has also developed a healthy discography over the ages both on audio and visual media, making it impossible {…}
The Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg hosts Mozart Week annually on or around Mozart’s birthday (Jan. 27) in celebration of the composer’s contributions to the world of music. The lineup for Mozart Week 2020, which will be held Jan. 23 – Feb. 2, has been announced. For the purposes of this article, we will highlight vocal performances and anything else opera-related. The {…}
I have attended many great performances of Mahler’s Second Symphony, the so-called “Resurrection.” The scale of the piece — requiring ten trumpets, two harps, organ, vocal soloists, chorus, and even a fernorchester (a distant orchestra) — means that any performance of this powerful masterpiece is an event. Two memorable performances I attended occurred at the Tanglewood Festival, one led by Sejii {…}
Christiane Karg has canceled her appearances in Bayerische Staatsoper’s upcoming new production of Smetana’s “The Bartered Bride.” The company announced that Karg was forced to withdraw from the production because she is pregnant and as a result will not sing the December nor the July run of the opera. As a result, Selene Zanetti will take on the role of {…}
The holiday season is gearing up and two new recordings have been announced by major artists. First. Belvedere is set to release “Orfée et Euridice” from the Teatro alla Scala with Juan Diego Flórez and Christiane Karg. The production from this past season was conducted by Michelle Mariotti and will mark Flórez’s second recording of the opera. Decca first released a CD version in 2010 {…}
This weekend will be filled with a number of stars singing some of their most acclaimed roles. But what will make this weekend even more special is that it will feature a world premiere, a rarely performed Verdi gem, and a rarely performed baroque piece. Here is a look. Rusalka – Prague National Opera, Czech Republic Kerri-Lynn Wilson makes a {…}
This weekend looks a bit interesting for opera lovers looking to leave the core repertoire. Baroque dominates our selections for what we recommend and there is also a French rarity that no one should miss. Here is a glimpse. Saul & Ariodante – Wiener Staatsoper & Theatre an der Wien, Austria Austria audiences are in for a Handel double. At the {…}
The Wigmore Hall’s 2018-19 Season has been announced with a number of recitals from some of the world’s greatest singers. The season will include a plethora of performances, including chamber music, song, piano, early music, contemporary music, and jazz. For this article, we will concentrate only on the singers. Mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly and Soprano Marlis Petersen will be featured as residents {…}
