Opéra National de Paris Streaming ‘Don Pasquale’ Starring Nadine Sierra, Lawrence Brownlee

(Credit: Vincent Pontet) The Opéra National de Paris is streaming its production of Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” between May 11-17. The production, which is available on the company’s website or through CultureBox, stars soprano Nadine Sierra, Lawrence Brownlee, Florian Sempey, Michele Pertusi, and Frédéric Guieu. The work is conducted by Evelino Pidò and directed by Damiano Michieletto. “Michieletto has a touch {…}

Apr 13, 2020

CD Review: Petr Nekoranec’s ‘French Arias’

Little could Met audiences know about the full fledged lyricism of Petr Nekoranec when he took on the spieltenor role of the Doyen in the company’s premiere production of “Cendrillon” in 2018. Certainly, the Doyen has earned his keep in the eclectic repertoire of Jules Massenet and the long tradition of French opéra comique; it remains, however, a somewhat ungrateful {…}

Mar 20, 2020

CD Review: Romantique by Dimitry Korchak

Russian tenor Dmitry Korchak’s second solo album for Decca, a compilation of romantic French arias, provides an insightful interpretation of French style, dazzling high notes ,and impressive piannismi and diminuedo phrasing. The album presents, with the exception of the less popular Bizet’s aria “À la voix d’un amant fidele,” a selection of the most renowned lyrical and romantic French arias. {…}

Mar 4, 2020

Christine Lyons, Luisamaria Hernandez Headline Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble’s ‘Love for Truth’ Festival

Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble has announced the casts for the two shows which will make up the company’s “Love for Truth” festival in August 2020. Opening the festival on August 21 will be the East Coast premiere of “Juana” by composer Carla Lucero and librettist Alicia Gaspar de Alba. The cast will feature Luisamaria Hernandez in the title role, with Anna {…}

Feb 15, 2020

Auditorio Nacional de Música 2020 Review: Javier Camarena in Recital

(Credit: Javier del Real) Famed Mexican tenor Javier Camarena ended a solo tour through Spain with a recital at the Auditorio Nacional de Música on Feb. 7, 2020. Accompanied by pianist Angel Rodriguez, the structure of the program was originally a presentation of future repertoire for the tenor, with a first part dedicated to French repertoire and the second half {…}

Jan 31, 2020

Academy of Vocal Arts to Present ‘La Favorite’

(Credit: Image provided by AVA) The Academy of Vocal Arts is set to present Donizetti, Royer, and Vaëz’s “La Favorite” this February. This is the first time that the institution is presenting the work, which will appear at the Helen Corning Warden Theater on Feb. 15, 18, 20, and 22. The production, which will be directed by Gregory Boyle and {…}

Jan 17, 2020

Patrick Summers Takes Over Houston Grand Opera’s ‘La Favorite’

The Houston Grand Opera has announced that conductor Christophe Rousset has withdrawn from the company’s premiere of “La Favorite” due to personal reasons. In his stead, Houston Grand Opera Artistic and Musical Director Patrick Summers will take over, leading all five performances of the run. The production kicks off on Jan. 24 and runs through Feb. 9, 2020. It will {…}

Dec 29, 2019

Q & A: Conductor Riccardo Frizza On the Transformation of the Donizetti Opera Festival

(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 {…}

Dec 19, 2019

Opera Meets Film: How Donizetti’s ‘Una Furtiva Lagrima’ Structures A Scene In Germi’s ‘Divorce Italian Style’

“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features Pietro Germi’s “Divorce {…}

Dec 1, 2019

Q & A: Director Damiano Michieletto on Searching For Truth, Wagner, Janácek, & Putting Drugs into ‘L’Elisir D’Amore’

(Credit: Yasuko Kageyama) Damiano Michieletto is one of the most sought after directors today. Born in Venice, he graduated in modern literature at the Venice University and then went on to study theatre and opera production at the Paolo Grassi School of Dramatic Art in Milan. Success would follow him soon after when he debuted in 2003 at the Wexford {…}

Nov 30, 2019

Opera Quiz: Which Donizetti Opera Is It?

Donizetti, born on Nov. 29, 1797, is one of the major contributors to the modern canon. Among his most recognized operas are “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “L’Elisir d’Amore,” the Tudor Queen trilogy, and “Don Pasquale” to name just a few. But he composed dozens upon dozens of works throughout his career, many of which remain obscure to this day. So for {…}

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