The Washington Concert Opera has announced its 2017-18 season with two Bel Canto rarities. The season begins with a performance of Bellini’s “La Straniera” on November 19th. It will feature three rising stars in their WCO debuts, soprano Amanda Woodbury as Alaide, tenor Gerard Schneider as Arturo, and mezzo-soprano Corrie Stallings as Isoletta. Also joining them is WCO favorite, baritone {…}
On first glance, you would never find the commonalities between Monserrat Caballé and Lily Pons. The two sopranos, one Spanish and the other French-American, are known for distinctly different repertoire. The former had a wide range that saw her dominate both bel canto and dramatic repertoire while the latter was best known for more delicate roles, particularly in her native {…}
The Bilbao Opera has announced its 2017-18 Season with five operas. The season begins on Oct. 21 with Verdi’s “I Masnadieri” starring Carmen Giannattasio in her Bilbao debut. It also marks the first time in 12 seasons since the opera was last performed in Bilbao and will be presented in a production by Leo Muscato that first at the Teatro Regio {…}
Fort Worth Opera’s 2018 Festival is slated to be monumental. The company has announced that it will be opening its weeks-long event with a production of “Das Rheingold,” the first installment in Wagner’s Tetralogy “Der Ring des Nibelungen.” “This is the first production of ‘Das Rheingold,’ or any opera from Wagner’s Ring Cycle, to be done in Fort Worth,” says {…}
Opera fans around the world will get a chance to see Mariella Devia sing the title role in Donizetti’s “Lucrezia Borgia” on April 1, 2017. The broadcast starts at 7 p.m. local time. The performance, which takes place at the Palau de les Arts in Valencia, will be broadcast via Opera Platform. The opera will remain available for viewers on {…}
Amore Opera has just announced its next two opera productions for May and June with gypsies dominating their thematic material. The company’s main website revealed that Bizet’s “Carmen” and Donizetti’s “La Zingara” would be taking the stage to close out the 2017-18 season. The former work is one of the best known in the entire repertoire while the latter is {…}
The Verdi and Bel Canto repertoire has some of the most challenging music for soprano. It requires flexibility in the voice as well as high and low testitura. Coloratura runs are a must and clear diction and attention to the text are paramount. Among contemporary artists, Angela Meade has been championing this repertoire by not only performing the warhorses such {…}
The world is set to undergo a change this week with a massive transfer of power. There is tremendous uncertainty regarding this situation, some expecting the very worst. Art represents an interesting window into our deepest fears and opera has its fair share of oppressive regimes and tyrannical rule in all guises. What follows is a look at some of {…}
On Thursday, the Canadian Opera company has just announced its 2017-18 season which features six opera spanning from October 5, 2017 to May 26, 2018. The works selected for the new season feature mainly staples of the canonical repertoire though there is one rare work making an appearance this season. Jane Archibald is this season’s artist in residence. The announcement {…}
It is always a challenge to make a role debut in a season, particularly when it features some of the most challenging repertoire in the operatic repertoire. It is an even greater risk and challenge to make three in one season. But don’t tell Davinia Rodriguez as the soprano has spent this season doing just that and succeeding all the {…}
The Island City Opera in San Francisco will host an open rehearsal of its upcoming production of Gaetano Donizetti’s exuberant comedy Don Pasquale. The rehearsal will take place on Jan. 7 and showcase the company as it prepares to open its third season. But for opera goers expecting to see a fully staged production, audiences should be prepared to hear {…}
