(Credit: Karen Almond / Met Opera) A man speaks out against a tyrant and gets dragged off to jail. That’s at the core of the plot of “Fidelio.” Unsurprisingly, as the Met Opera was reviving Beethoven’s lone operatic work, this very script played out in a different theatrical arena – the U.S. Congress – hours after the “leader of the {…}
The Metropolitan Opera’s 2024–25 Live in HD season will continue with Beethoven’s “Fidelio.” The production will be shown in more than 700 theaters nationwide on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Soprano Lise Davidsen sings the role of Leonore, a role she has sung to great acclaim at the Royal Opera House. She will be joined by David Butt Philip as Florestan, {…}
The Seattle Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. The season opens with Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance.” The cast includes Reginald Smith, Jr. as the Pirate King, Thomas Glass as Major-General Stanley, David Portillo as Frederic, Vanessa Becerra as Mabel, and Katharine Goeldner as Ruth. David Charles Abell will conduct Sean Curran’s production. Performance Dates: Oct. 18-Nov. 1, {…}
The Royal Philharmonic Society Awards have announced its 2025 shortlist nominees. This article only features those nominated for vocal works. The Awards will feature performances from a range of nominees and is hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenters Jess Gillam and Tom McKinney, with trophies presented by RPS Chair Angela Dixon. The Awards ceremony will be held for the first {…}
The Boston Symphony Orchestra has announced cast changes for upcoming performances. For its performance on Jan. 25, the company said, “Tenor Pavel Černoch has had to withdraw from our upcoming performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony due to unforeseen personal circumstances; the tenor solo will be sung instead by David Butt Philip. Additionally, soprano Amanda Majeski has had to withdraw from {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to perform Beethoven’s “Fidelio” reviving its Jürgen Flimm production. Last revived in 2017, the production features set designer Robert Israel, costume designer Florence von Gerkan, and lighting designer Duane Schuler. The cast will include Lise Davidsen in her Metropolitan Opera role debut as Leonora. The soprano has performed the role to {…}
The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced cast changes for its production of “Die Frau ohne Schatten.” The company said “Daniela Köhler will sing and play the part of the Empress instead of Jane Archibald and Clay Hilley will sing and plays the part of the Emperor instead of David Butt Philip. We wish both of them strength and success for {…}
(Photo: Ali Wright) Opera Holland Park has made a name for itself rummaging around in the cupboard of verismo and polishing up the gems they find. Puccini’s seldom-performed “Edgar” featured in the 2024 summer offering – to mixed reviews, mostly ascribed to the uneven quality of the work than the artistry – now complemented by a striking new double bill {…}
The BBC Proms has announced its 2024 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Elim Chan conducts the First Night at Proms with soloists Sophie Bevan and Isata Kanneh‐Mason. The program includes Handel, Ben Nobuto, Beethoven Bruckner, and Clara Schumann. Performance Date: July 19, 2024 British choral groups The King’s Singers and VOCES8 present a Prom that showcases {…}
The Czech Philharmonic has announced its 2024-25 season. Here are the vocal performances. Jakub Hrůša conducts Antonín Dvořák’s “Carnival Overture,” Josef Suk’s “Fantasy in G minor” for violin, and Leoš Janáček’s “Glagolitic Mass.” The concert will include soloists Julia Fischer, Corinne Winters, Bella Adamova, David Butt Philip, and Brindley Sherratt. Performance Date: Sept. 7, 2024 Semyon Bychkov conducts a Brahms {…}
The Deustche Oper Berlin has announced its 2024-25 season. Premieres Respighi’s “La Fiamma” will be directed by Christof Loy and conducted by Carlo Rizzi. The cast will include Aušrine Stundyte, Georgy Vasiliev, Vladislav Sulimsky, Martina Serafin, Sua Jo, Cristina Toledo, Martina Baroni, Karis Tucker, Caren Van Oijen, Doris Soffel, and Patrick Guetti. Performance Dates: Sept. 29-Oct. 18, 2024 Enrique Mazzola {…}