(Photo: Gianfranco Rota) If I close my eyes and concentrate, even today, locked in cold, rainy Vilnius, I can easily recall Bergamo in November. Warm, yellow, and red lights make their way through the morning fog in Città Alta. Città Bassa is still dark and sleepy. It’s only 7 a.m., and right from the airport, I take a walk in {…}
(Credit: Gianfranco Rota) For years, audiences who wanted to get a taste of Donizetti’s rarest works presented in a manner of utmost care at the Donizetti Opera Festival had to make the pilgrimage to Bergamo, the composer’s birthplace. But COVID-19 has forced the event to take place via virtual means in 2020. As a result, audiences worldwide will get a {…}
The Donizetti Opera Festival is set to stream three opera productions through its new Web TV. The festival announced that it will first showcase “Marino Faliero” on Nov. 20 starring Michele Angelini, Francesca Dotto, and Michele Pertusi. The opera, which will be conducted by Riccardo Frizza and directed by Stefano Ricci will also be streamed on Rai 5. “Belsario” starring {…}
(Credit: Rebecca Fay) The Donizetti Opera Festival has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of “Marino Faliero.” The new production will star Michele Angelini in the role of Fernando replacing Javier Camarena, who is ill. The change comes as the region of Lombardy was declared as a red zone due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in Italy. {…}
The Donizetti Foundation has announced Donizetti Web TV. The new web channel will be dedicated to works by the famed Italian composer and will feature the operas that are scheduled for the 2020 Donizetti Opera Festival at the restored Donizetti Theatre in Bergamo as well as interviews and insights into the work of the protagonists of the pit and of {…}
The Donizetti Opera Festival has announced cast changes to its upcoming production of “Le Nozze in Villa” and “Marino Faliero” due to travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19. The festival announced that Michele Pertusi will sing the title role of “Marino Faliero” replacing Alex Esposito, while tenor Giorgio Misseri will take over the role of Claudio in “Le Nozze in Villa” {…}
The Donizetti Opera Festival has confirmed that it will go on with performances from Nov. 19 to Dec. 6, 2020. The festival said in a press release that it will adapt to new restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and will announce more details about its program in the coming weeks. It also announced that there will be a new {…}
(Credit: Courtesy of Donizetti Opera Festival) The Donizetti Opera Festival has announced its 2020 season, which is set to open on Nov. 19 and close on Dec. 6, 2020. The season will open with a concert performance of “Belisario” with Plácido Domingo in the title role. In a press release Domingo, who is celebrating his birthday today, stated, “Dear friends, {…}
(Credit: © Joan Tomás – Fidelio Artist) In 2019 the Donizetti Opera Festival celebrated its fifth anniversary after winning the prestigious Best Festival at the Oper! Magazine Awards. The festival showcased three works by the famed composer that brought an international audience and a number of rising stars and international singers. It was also the second year for famed conductor {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl/Karen Almond-Metropolitan Opera/Ken Howard-Santa Fe Opera/ Gianfranco Rota-Donizetti Opera) We hope that the end of your 2019 is a prosperous one and that the start of 2020 is even better. As we look forward to the next calendar year, we are taking some time to reflect on the opera performances that defined 2019 for many of us. As {…}
The Senate budget of Bergamo has approved that Donizetti Opera Festival will be awarded one million euros for the next three years. Antonio Misiani, the secretary of economy announced that the festival will receive a yearly amount for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 festivals. The bill was past in order for the festival to grow in size and in its {…}
