Angelica Antonini, Núria Rial, Andrzej Filończyk, Mark Padmore Star in National Forum of Music’s 2026-27 Season

The National Forum of Music announces its 2026-27 season. This article feature classical voice works only. Mark Padmore performs Bach’s “Ich habe genug” at the Krzyżowa-Music festival. Performance Date: Aug. 30, 2026 Thomas Guggeis conducts a concert version of Saint-Saëns’ “Samson et Dalila” starring Brian Jagde and Anita Rachvelishvili in the title roles. They are joined by Kostas Smoriginas, Peter {…}

Mar 20, 2026

Wratislavia Cantans Unveils 2026 Program

The Wratislavia Cantans announces its 2026 season. This article only features vocal events. Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Samson et Dalila” stars Brian Jagde, Anita Rachvelishvili, and Kostas Smoriginas. They are joined by the NFM Choir led by Lionel Sow and the NFM Wrocław Philharmonic. Thomas Guggeis conducts. Performance Date: September 3, 2026 Angelica Antonini performs with Il Giardino Armonico under the baton of {…}

Dec 9, 2025

Ravenna Festival Review 2025: Alcina

(Photo: Zani-Casadio) Is it a wise decision to perform two independent works by the same composer on consecutive nights, using a very similar cast, the same stage director, the same basic set, similar or in some cases the same costumes with the same musical director and orchestra? Well, this is exactly what the Ravenna Festival decided to do for its stagings {…}

Feb 8, 2025

Teatro Municipale di Piacenza 2025 Review: Giulio Cesare in Egitto

(Photo: ©Zani-Casadio) In the autumn of 1709, as he was preparing to conclude his journey through Italy, George Frideric Handel triumphantly arrived in Venice to present his second Italian opera, “Agrippina.” The work was enthusiastically received by the audience, who acclaimed the composer with shouts of “Viva il Sassone!” (Long live the Saxon!) and with 27 performances that sealed its {…}

Jan 31, 2025

Teatro Alighieri, Ravenna 2025 Review: Giulio Cesare

(Photo: Zani-Casdio) It was well after midnight when the final curtain fell on Teatro Alighieri’s production of Händel’s “Giulio Cesare.” It was a long evening, although, such was the quality of the presentation, there would have been few complaints even if it had continued for another hour or more. It was one of those performances in which the singing, the {…}

Dec 5, 2024

Ravenna 2024 Review: ‘Hail! Bright Cecilia’ & ‘Dido and Aeneas’

(Photo: Zani-Casadio) Following on from the previous day’s performance of Monteverdi’s “Il Ritorno di Ulisse in Patria,” Ravenna’s Teatro Alighieri continued with a production of Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas” coupled with “Hail, Bright Cecelia,” presented by the same cast under the musical direction of Ottavio Dantone. The fact that Pier Luigi Pizzi, who had been responsible for the lackluster staging {…}

Dec 4, 2024

Ravenna 2024 Review: Il Ritorno Di Ulisse In Patria

(Photo: Zani-Casadio) In his program notes, the director, Pier Luigi Pizzi, writing about “Il Ritorno di Ulisse in Patria,” stated that “the opera speaks for itself,” adding, “we must not induce or force its interpretation… It is up to the audience to confront it, to think about it, and to decide for themselves whether or not it is worthwhile.” Even {…}

Nov 12, 2024

Carmela Remigio, Bruno Taddia, Raffaele Pe & Vincenzo Costanzo Lead Teatro Alighieri’s 2025 Season

The Teatro Alighieri in Ravenna has announced its 2025 season featuring three opera productions. The season opens with Händel’s “Giulio Cesare“ conducted by Ottavio Dantone and directed by Chiara Muti. Raffaele Pe, Marie Lys, Delphine Galou, Filippo Mineccia, Federico Fiorio, Andrea Gavagnin, Clemente Antonio Daliotti, and Davide Giangregorio. Performance Dates: Jan. 17 & 19, 2025 Gaspare Spontini’s “La Vestale” will be conducted {…}

Jul 8, 2024

Ravenna Festival Unveils Autumn 2024 Festival Lineup

The Ravenna Festival has announced its autumn festival, which will run from Nov. 15 to 19, 2024, and be performed at the Teatro Aligheri. The festival will journey back in time to the roots of bel canto and the origins of opera, through the sounds and atmospheres of 17th-century Baroque music. Monteverdi’s “Il ritorno di Ulisse in patria” will be {…}

Jun 27, 2024

Théâtre des Champs-Elysées 2023-24 Review: L’Olimpiade

(Photo: Vincent Pontet) Paris is gearing up for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games, and a variety of Olympic-themed events are taking place throughout the city. In this context, Antonio Vivaldi’s opera “L’Olimpiade” is a must-see, with the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées showcasing a new production by Emmanuel Daumas. Belgian soprano Jodie Devos, who recently passed away untimely, was originally scheduled to {…}

Jun 20, 2024

Annalisa Stroppa, Riccardo Zanellato, Juliana Grigoryan & Raffaele Pé Lead Teatri di Reggio Emilia’s 2024-25 Season

The Teatri di Reggio Emilia has announced its 2024-25 season. The season opens with Rossini’s “Mosé in Egitto,” which will star Riccardo Zanellato, Dave Monaco, Mariam Battistelli, Toni Nezic, Aida Pascu, Angela Schisano, Andrea Galli, and Matteo Mezzaro. Giovanni Di Stefano conducts the production by Pier Francesco Maestrini. Performance Dates: Nov. 15 & 17, 2024 Annalisa Stroppa, Caterina Sala, Matteo Falcier, Matteo Guerzè, {…}