Doris Soffel’s recital at the Deutsche Oper Berlin has been canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. The mezzo’s recital was scheduled for December. She will not return to the stage until February 2021 when she takes on the role of Herodias in “Salome” at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow. The recital cancellation comes on the heels of the Bayerische Staatsoper canceling a {…}
(Credits: © Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Classical / Jiyang Chen) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced that it has cancelled the whole run of Francis Poulenc’s “Dialogues des Carmélites” that was on the schedule for Nov. 14 – Nov. 22, 2020 due to the current COVID-19 situation. The opera was set to star Ermonela Jaho, Adrianne Pieczonka, and Doris Soffel. Instead, {…}
(Credit: Wiener Staatsoper) The Wiener Staatsoper has announced the cast change for Richard Strauss’ opera “Elektra.” Tenor Thomas Ebenstein will take over the role of Aegisth for the presentations on Sep. 19 and Sep. 22, 2020., replacing Jörg Schneider. The opera house did not specify the reason for the cast change. Ebenstein will join a cast that includes Ricarda Merbeth {…}
(Credit: Boris Streubel) The famed German mezzo-soprano Doris Soffel will appear in the role of Klytämnestra in Richard Strauss’ opera “Elektra” at the Wiener Staatsoper on September 8, 2020. Doris Soffel is one of the leading Wagnerian and Straussian singers, having taken on such roles as Kundry in “Parsifal,” Ortrud in “Lohengrin,” and Fricka and Erda in the composer’s iconic {…}
(Credit: Dusíkovo divadlo official website) Famed Slovakian tenor Štefan Margita and his wife Hanka both tested positive for the novel COVID-19 coronavirus. Margita posted a message on his Facebook profile, stating “Our dear ones, we did not want to burden you with our worries. Yes, we both tested positive for COVID. So you don’t have to learn from the various {…}
(Credit: Miguel Lorenzo / Mikel Ponce) Richard Strauss’ “Elektra,” one of the most audacious and darkest operas in the entire repertory, is a massive undertaking for any opera company. In the case of the Palau de Les Arts, the Robert Carsen production of the gripping opera was presented with great intensity further amplified by the appearance of Irene Theorin in {…}
The Palau de les Arts has announced a varied 2019-20 season featuring operas, zarzuelas, concerts, and recitals. Here is a look. Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” is set to be conducted by Christopher Moulds in a production by Emilio Sagi. The cast will be headed by Andrzej Filończyk, María José Moreno, Sabina Puértolas, Robert Gleadow, Cecilia Molinari, Susana Cordón, and Valeriano Lanchas. Performance {…}
The Teatro Comunale di Bologna has announced its 2019 season with 10 productions all year. The Italian company is giving its native repertory most of the stage-time, with a total of seven productions this season; there are two German works and one in English, that will also appear. So let’s dive in and break it down. “Il Trovatore” opens the {…}
Two of opera’s biggest stars get the spotlight this week. On one hand, you get one of the great singing actresses of our time in a breakout role. Opposite her is one of the world’s best tenors singing reperotire we aren’t used to hearing from him. Salome Malin Byström takes on the title role of Salome in Strauss’ masterwork. The {…}
( Photo credit: Manfred Brückels) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its 2018-19 season featuring seven new productions and numerous revivals. The season will also include some of today’s biggest stars as well numerous ensemble members. Here is a look! New Productions Johan Reuter takes on the title role in Berg’s “Wozzeck” in a new production by Ole Anders Tanberg’s {…}
The Hamburg State Opera has announced its 2018-19 season, featuring a number of international singers and six new productions. Here is a look at what’s in store for operalovers. New Productions The Hamburg State Opera’s first new production of the season will be “Così fan tutte” with Maria Bengtsson, Stephanie Lauricella, Kartal Karagedik, Dovlet Nurgeldiyev, Oleksiy Palchykov, Sylvia Schwartz, and {…}