For decades Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles” was rarely ever performed. We would hear the famed “Friendship Duet” or get the occasional recording here and there, but seeing a staged performance was a thing of dreams. But now opera lovers can enjoy a live performance of Bizet’s often-ignored work from the comfort of their living rooms. Mind you, the Metropolitan {…}
Diana Damrau revealed that one of her dream roles is the Witch in “Hansel and Gretel.” During a Facebook live at the Metropolitan Opera, the soprano was asked about one role she dreams of singing. While she did not divulge any of the operas currently planned through 2020, Damrau did state that the last role she wants to sing is {…}
It isn’t a particularly busy week in terms of releases, but there are some gems that people will undeniably want to check out. Here is a look at the French and German offerings you can find available for home release. Damrau in Bizet One of the major highlights of the Met Opera’s 2015-16 season was Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles.” {…}
Every season brings new surprises, some of which may be of the disappointing variety. In disappointment, we mean singers that we love and treasure but are unable to see get the proper representation. Here is a look at the singers that were shockingly left off the roster this year. Diana Damrau: It may not have been the perfect 2016-17 season {…}
Two major cancellations were announced on Monday at the Metropolitan Opera. First it was announced that Diana Damrau would not partake in the second performance of “I Puritani” on Tuesday, Feb. 14 and then it was revealed tenor Marcelo Alvarez would also withhold from performing the performance of “Carmen” on Feb. 15. Pretty Yende, coming off a thrilling running of {…}
This review is for the performance on Feb. 11, 2017. What happens when the Metropolitan Opera casts four superstars into Bellini’s final opera? The answer is golden age singing. For years “I Puritani” has been a vehicle at the Metropolitan Opera to promote the diva and sometimes has made casting uneven with little attention paid to who can sing the incredibly {…}
The Metropolitan Opera continues its 2016-17 season this week with a revival of Bellini’s final opera “I Puritani.” Diana Damrau will add the role of Elvira to her Met repertoire after having performed it to great success in Madrid and Amsterdam. She will be joined by her frequent stage partner Javier Camarena, who recently triumphed in his last run of Rossini’s “Il {…}
It’s Diva week as three of the most popular sopranos will be releasing new albums and DVDs. One will showcase her second album while another will be debuting her first CD. Sonya Yoncheva’s Handel It was only two years ago when Yoncheva impressed in her first album, an homage to Paris. After winning the prestigious Echo Award, it would have {…}
On Jan. 24, 1835 Bellini premiered his final opera, “Puitani.” Despite being beloved for its beautiful melodies and incredible coloratura challenges, the opera is also known for its ludicrous story line. This season the Metropolitan Opera is presenting the work with an all star cast and a new diva. The Met has always used the opera as a showcase for {…}
The Houston Grand Opera makes a big return as opera companies slowly but surely get prepared for the spring. Houston’s opening comes on Friday Jan. 20 with a production of John Adams’ “Nixon in China.” Scott Hendricks, Andriana Chuchman and Chad Shelton lead the production which will also take the stage on Sunday, Jan. 22. The Metropolitan Opera continues its {…}
Having a hard time catching the explosive chemistry between superstars Vittorio Grigolo and Diana Damrau at the Metropolitan Opera in this year’s “Roméo et Juliette?” You can catch them in cinemas this weekend anywhere in the world on Saturday, Jan. 21., 2017 As part of the Met’s Live in HD series, the company will showcase the third-to-last performance of this {…}