‘Don Giovanni’ Is One of the Greatest Works Ever Written. Why Is It So Hard for Directors to Get Right?

(Photo: © Monika Rittershaus) “Don Giovanni” is an opera of seductions and escapes, moral wreckage and divine retribution, a shimmering mosaic of comedy, tragedy, farce, and existential dread. Yet “the mother of all operas” is also a uniquely treacherous work—at once alluring and intractable, irresistibly open yet elusive. Music’s sublimity rarely fails to connect with audiences, even in a less-than-stellar {…}

May 9, 2025

Lise Lindström, Vida Miknevičiūtė, Véronique Gens, Nicky Spence, Nicole Heaston & Stéphane Degout Lead Orquesta y Coro Nacionales de España’s 2025-26 Season

The Orquesta y Coro Nacionales de España has announced its 2025-26 season. Here are the vocal performances. Concert Alban Berg’s “Wozzeck” will be conducted by David Afkham. Martin Winkler, Lise Lindström, Rodrigo Porras, Tansel Akzeybek, Jürgen Sacher, Stephen Milling, and Susana Gómez. Performance Dates: Oct. 3 & 5, 2025 Michael Laurenz, Christof Fischesser, Louise McClelland, Valentina Stadler, Tae Hwan Yun, {…}

Apr 22, 2025

Opernhaus Zürich 2024-25 Review: Lohengrin

(Credit: Toni Suter) In 1850, Richard Wagner premiered a new opera inspired by a figure from medieval German literature: Lohengrin, a member of the Grail Knights’ brotherhood and the son of Parsifal, its king. The story draws from the Legend of the Knight of the Swan, in which a mysterious knight arrives on a magical swan to rescue a damsel {…}

Mar 1, 2023

Dutch National Opera to Present ‘Der Rosenkavalier’

The Dutch National Opera is set to present Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier,” with chief conductor Lorenzo Viotti conducting his first Strauss opera. The opera has long been on the conductor’s wish list since he became chief conductor of the Dutch National Opera. In a press release, the conductor said, “This opera gives him the perfect opportunity to show different sides of {…}

Dec 29, 2021

George Petean Takes Over Final Performance of ‘Simon Boccanegra’ at Opernhaus Zürich

(Credit: Opernhaus Zürich official website) George Petean will replace Ludovic Tézier in the title role of Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” at the Opernhaus Zürich on Dec. 30, 2021. Petean has already replaced Tézier for the performances on Dec. 22 & 26, 2021. No reason has been given for a cast change. Petean joins a cast that includes Jennifer Rowley as Amelia {…}

Dec 22, 2021

George Petean Replaces Ludovic Tézier in ‘Simon Boccanegra’ at Opernhaus Zürich

(Credit: Opernhaus Zürich official website) George Petean will replace Ludovic Tézier in the title role of Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” at the Opernhaus Zürich for the performances on Dec. 22 & 26, 2021. Petean joins a cast that includes Jennifer Rowley as Amelia Grimaldi, Christof Fischesser as Jacopo Fiesco, Otar Jorjikia in the role of Gabriele Adorno, Nicholas Brownlee as Paolo {…}

Jul 9, 2021

Camilla Nylund, Thomas Hampson & Hanna-Elisabeth Müller Lead Dresden Philharmonic’s 2021-22 Season

(Credit: Dario Acosta/Anna S./Chris Gonz) The Dresden Philharmonic in Germany has announced its 2021-22 season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be on vocal performances. Prof. Gunter Berger conducts the Philharmonischer Kinderchor. Performance Date: Sept. 5, 2021 Noa Frenkel and Michael Nagy lead a program dedicated to Salvatore Sciarrino. The concert will also feature Martina Schucan, Florian {…}

Jun 4, 2021

Bayerische Staatsoper Announces Changes for Münchner Opernfestspiele

(Credit: Bayerische Staatsoper official website) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced the cancellation of the performances of Puccini‘s “Turandot” and Wagner‘s “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” that were scheduled for July 12, 15, and July 29, 2021, respectively. The two operas were slated to be performed as part of the Münchner Opernfestspiele. The opera house also announced that the production of Verdi’s {…}

Jun 3, 2021

Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Nina Stemme, Lisette Oropesa & Juan Diego Flórez Lead Wiener Staatsoper’s 2021-22 Season

The Wiener Staatsoper has announced its 2021-22 season which will spotlight some of the world’s greatest performers and five new productions. Here is the full slate. Premieres Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” will showcase Juan Diego Flórez as Count Almaviva, Marianne Crebassa as Rosina, Davide Luciano in the role of Figaro, Paolo Bordogna as Bartolo, and Ildar Abdrazakov as Basilio. {…}

Jun 2, 2021

Núria Rial, Benjamin Bruns & Anna Prohaska Highlight Konzerthaus Berlin’s June Reopening

(Credits: Merce Rial / Sara Schöngen / Marco Borggreve) The Konzerthaus Berlin has announced that it will reopen its doors for live audiences in June 2021. For the purpose of this article we will focus only on vocal performances. Spanish soprano Núria Rial will perform Joseph Haydn’s “Berenice che fai” and Mahler‘s Symphony No. 4 alongside conductor Iván Fischer. Performance {…}

May 17, 2021

Anna Netrebko, Elīna Garanča, Anja Harteros, Sonya Yoncheva, Piotr Beczała Highlight Opernhaus Zürich’s 2021-22 Season

The Opernhaus Zürich has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is the full slate. Operas – Premieres Richard Strauss‘ “Salome” will star Elena Stikhina, Kostas Smoriginas, Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke, Michaela Schuster, Mauro Peter, and Siena Licht Miller. Simone Young conducts the production by Andreas Homoki. Performance dates: Sep. 12 – Oct. 17, 2021 Verdi‘s “Il Trovatore” will spotlight Quinn Kelsey, Marina Rebeka, {…}