A few years ago, Amanda Majeski got the opportunity of a lifetime. Most singers wait a ton of time before getting a shot at opening the Metropolitan Opera season. Many singers never get that opportunity at all. But there was Majeski on Sept. 22, 2014. Richard Eyre’s massive set for “Le Nozze di Figaro” was rotating to reveal the Countess’ {…}
The Met Opera’s upcoming “Così fan tutte” is set to make a major splash in coming weeks. The new production set on Coney Island, which is set to feature more than a number of major tricks, will undeniably play a major role in its popularity. But any opera will live and die with its singing actors, and the cast that {…}
The basic premise of “Così fan tutte” is that the women are the butt of the joke as they are fooled by wily old Don Alfonso and the maid Despina into falling for men from distant Albania while believing that their lovers are away having gone to war. Despite that plot point, it is fair to say “advantage women” for {…}
Renée Fleming, born on Valentine’s Day, is widely known in pop culture. Perhaps more than any other singer in the world, her voice has become a signature of the mainstream when people refer to opera. One might point to her iconic Super Bowl appearance a few years back when she became the first opera singer to sing at the widely {…}
“Così fan tutte” is the third opera in the Mozart-Da Ponte trilogy, following “Le Nozze di Figaro” and “Don Giovanni.” The opera had its premiere on Jan. 26, 1790, at the Burgtheater in Vienna, Austria. The work’s title is often translated into English as “Woman are like that,” undeniably a reference to the opera’s central theme that questions women’s fidelity. {…}
The Canadian Opera Company has announced its 2018-19 season, which will feature six operas. Every opera is undeniably the sum of all its parts, but there is certainly a lot to be said about how one performer can become the big story for his or her upcoming showcase. Here is a look at the six exciting singers to keep an {…}
It’s Halloween! Which means that most people are taking the opportunity to disguise themselves as someone else, live out a temporary existence as a character that they either dreamed of being or enjoy playing. Opera is full of this kind of interplay, with characters disguising themselves or putting on literal costumes to get their way. One thing we often learn {…}
Central City Opera is gearing up to start its 2017 Summer festival, which will begin with a production of Bizet’s iconic “Carmen.” The production kicks off on July 8 and runs for a total of 14 performances, including 10 matinee shows and four evenings. The cast will include Emily Pulley, Adriano Graziani, Angela Mortellaro and Michael Mayes. The production will {…}
The Portland Opera will present Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” in a brand new interpretation by director Roy Rallo. The performance is slated to open on July 14, 2017, with subsequent performances slated for the 16th, 20th, 22nd, 26th, and 29th. “Mozart’s ‘Così fan tutte’ is a deeply insightful look at relationships. His understanding of the human heart, and his ability {…}
Opera Lille has announced its 2017-18 season, which will feature five operas, among a number of other major events. The opera season kicks off on Sept. 30, 2017, with Mozart’s “Così fan tutte,” starring Ruzan Mantashyan, Virginie Verrez, Jaël Azzaretti, Anicio Zorzi Giustiniani, Alessio Arduini, and Nicolas Rivenq. The production, which will be directed by Christophe Honoré, will run for {…}
Opera Holland Park has announced its 2018 season. The season will consist of three operatic classics and one new rarity. The season kicks off with Strauss’ “Ariadne Auf Naxos.” The new staging will be a co-production with the Danish National Opera. Performances will be held in Scotland in February and March 2018 before the production moves to OHP in July 2018. {…}