Gioachino Rossini is deservedly well-known for many an opera, however, he is also well-known for being one of those rare composers who actually retired from opera. His most ambitious opera “Guillaume Tell,” written in 1829, was also his last. Consequently, he had the luxury of spending over three decades in retirement in Paris at the prime of his life. Nonetheless, {…}
(Credit: ©Miguel Lorenzo y Mikel Ponce) The opera season of Valencia finished with the tragic and romantic “Lucia di Lammermoor,” which was receiving just its second run of performances in the opera house’s 14-year history. This time around it featured an adequate cast, an inspiring production, and a passionate reading of the score by Roberto Abbado. A Gloriously Rich Production… It {…}
The Academy of Vocal Arts has announced its 2019-20 season, which will celebrate the institution’s 85th anniversary. Opera The first opera of the year will be Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro,” which will be conducted by Maestro Christofer Macatsoris and directed by David Gately. Resident Artists will take on lead roles. Performance Dates: Nov. 9, 12, 16, 19, 21, 2019 {…}
(Credit: Wilfried Hösl) It is a magical moment when the finest singers in the world, along with strong musical guidance and with a meaningful dramatic production are combined together. That is exactly what happened on the evening of the June 9, 2019, when the Bayeriche Staatsoper revived Barbara Wysocka’s production of “Lucia di Lammermoor” with the “Bel canto couple” of the moment: {…}
On the Blackwater river in Seat East Ireland stands the imposing castle of Lismore, home to the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival. During the first week of June, opera-goers can be seen strolling through its wonderful gardens, partaking of its marvelous dining options, and picnicking in the marquees dotted between its flowerbeds. The surrounding countryside, with its rolling green hills provide {…}
For the last decade, Michael Fabiano has emerged as one of the greatest tenors on the planet, performing at the major opera houses around the globe in a myriad of repertoire. Along the way, he’s won many prestigious awards and continually showcased an ability to push the boundaries of his artistic abilities. But in that same period that Fabiano has {…}
(Photo: Bill Cooper) Spiders do not have the best of reputations. Known as unsociable, solitary creatures, they remain aloof, but alert to the slightest movement in their deadly webs. They patiently await their prey to fall into the trap, which they then efficiently despatch, store, and eventually consume. Female spiders are considered to be particularly cold and vicious creatures, many {…}
“Don Pasquale” is often considered Donizetti’s comic masterpiece, and if it is not perform as regularly as Donizetti’s “ L’Elisir d’Amore” one need not look further than the demanding part written for the tenor; but when you have Javier Camarena in the cast, you have no reason to worry about anything. But this production was not only about the great {…}
Pentatone has announced Michael Fabiano‘s first solo album. The company revealed that the tenor’s first solo album will feature music by Donizetti and Verdi. In a press release the company announced that the album will reveal “the strong ties between these two composers.” Among the operas featured on the CD will be Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “Poliuto” and “Maria di {…}
A year ago, we released a quiz dedicated to opera history. Obviously, there was no way to summarize all the information into just 10 trivia questions. We knew the day would come when we would be able to incorporate some other fun information in the form of another quiz. And that day has now come. Behold another trivia quiz made {…}
On March 31, 2019, the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions were brought to a thrilling conclusion with their grand finals concert. Hosted by countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, nine young finalists took to the Metropolitan’s stage for the first time to share their artistic gifts with the audience. Opening the afternoon’s concert was soprano Meghan Kasanders, singing “Dich, teure Halle’ from {…}