The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for Rossini’s “La Cenerentola,” revealing that Vito Priante will replace Davide Luciano in the role of Dandini. Priante will make his company debut in the production which is set to open on March 12. He is a well-known baritone who specializes in the Bel Canto repertoire and has performed at the Royal {…}
Ildar Abdrazakov will no longer perform the title role of “Don Giovanni” at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Instead, the company will bring in Lucas Meachem to take on the famed title role for six performances between Nov. 14-30; Davide Luciano remains on the schedule for the final three. Per a press release, the Russian bass has withdrawn in order {…}
The Teatro Massimo di Palermo has announced the 2020 season, which will feature a number of new productions, stars, and concert performances. Opera The season opens with Wagner’s “Parsifal” conducted by Omer Meir Wellber and directed by Graham Vick. The work stars Daniel Kirch in the title role, Eva Maria Westbroek, Evgeny Nikitin, John Relyea, and Thomas Gazheli. Performance Dates: Jan. {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago is set to present “Don Giovanni’ in a production by Robert Falls. The revival of the production that premiered during the 2014-15 season will star Ildar Abdrazakov and Davide Luciano, both making Lyric debuts in the title role. They will appear alongside Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Donna Anna and Ben Bliss as Don Ottavio. Other cast {…}
Massimo Cavalletti has canceled the Sept. 14 performance of Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore” at the Teatro alla Scala. The baritone announced via social media that due to a virus he will not be able to perform. He stated, “I have to inform you that this evening I’ll not be able to sing Belcore in ”L’Elisir d’Amore” at the Teatro alla Scala. {…}
The weekend is here and there are some very interesting options for those interested in experimenting with a more expansive repertory. Orphée Aux Enfers – Salzburg Festival, Austria Anne Sofie von Otter, Max Hopp, Kathryn Lewek, and Joel Prieto headline a new production of Offenbach’s operetta by Barrie Kosky. Enrique Mazzola conducts the production which also stars Marcel Beekman, Nadine Weissmann, Lea Desandre, Martin Winkler, Frances Pappas, Rafał Pawnuk, Vasilisa {…}
The Teatro di San Carlo di Napoli has announced its 2019-20 season featuring an array of international stars and a number of concerts. Operas The season opens with a production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades” in a production by Willy Decker. Juraj Valčuha conducts the production, which is set to star Misha Didyk and Oleg Dolgov as Herman, Tómas Tómasson {…}
Th Rossini Opera Festival has announced the complete lineup of the upcoming 2019 editions, The festival will include three opera productions and a number of operatic concerts featuring some of the greatest Rossini singers. Main Stage The festival opens with a new production of “Semiramide” by Graham Vick. Michele Mariotti conducts the production, which stars Salome Jicia in the title {…}
This weekend it was hard to pick five operas to see as there are many great performers and works being shown around the world. As a result, we have chosen eight works both popular and some rarely performed that we believe are must-sees. Here is a look and enjoy! Norma – Teatro Colón, Argentina Anna Pirozzi stars in the Mount {…}
An audience favorite for the ages, Gioachino Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” has seen numerous iterations over the years. The young Dutch director Lotte de Beer’s new production at Dutch National Opera is a French Revolution-themed affair that focuses on the female perspective via Rosina. In the beginning, we see the young Rosina denied a cupcake by Doctor Bartolo in {…}
Following a mixed premiere of “Samson et Delila,” the second evening of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2018-19 season saw a far more conventional and beloved work being performed, Puccini’s “La Bohème.” This opera is, unsurprisingly, the most performed of the company’s history, and that experience made itself clear throughout the night. Strong Debutante Making her debut with the company was Nicole {…}