(Credit: Julien Benhamou / ONP) Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” is undeniably one of the most complex to stage. Not only is it a tremendous challenge for each of the major singers cast in the work, but it presents unique obstacles for any director who opts to take it on. The opera, despite being by one the greatest opera composers {…}
Sonya Yoncheva has canceled her final performance of “Tosca” at the Opera de Paris. The Paris Opera announced that due to illness the soprano would no longer be able to perform on June 5. As a result, Elena Stikhina will replace Yoncheva, singing the title role of “Tosca.” This will be the second performance for Stikhina, who replaced Yoncheva on {…}
Sonya Yoncheva has canceled her first performance of Puccini’s “Tosca” at the Opera de Paris. The company announced that due to health reasons, Yoncheva will be unable to perform. As a result, Elena Stikhina will replace Yoncheva. Stikhina is currently rehearsing Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” with the company, which opens on June 6. The soprano is set to alternate with {…}
The Grand Theatre Geneve has announced its 2019 season featuring eight productions. Check it our right here. The season opens with Philip Glass and Robert Wilson’s monumental opera “Einstein on the Beach.“ The work is set to be conducted by Titus Engel with Daniele Finzi Pasca directing the work. Performance Dates: Sept. 11-18, 2019 Serena Farnocchia and Elena Stikhina share the {…}
The BBC Proms has announced its 2019 festival featuring some of the great singers, performers and orchestras in the world. For this season announcement we will concentrate on the vocal performances. Omer Meir Wellber leads the BBC Proms Youth Choir and BBC Philharmonic in Haydn’s “The Creation.” He is joined by soloists Sarah-Jane Brandon, Benjamin Hulett, and Christoph Pohl. Performance Date: July 29, {…}
The Salzburg Festival has announced that Elena Stikhina will be taking over the lead role in “Medée” this summer. Sonya Yoncheva was originally supposed to take on the opera after tremendous success in a previous production. However, the soprano is currently awaiting her second child and regulations with Austrian maternity protection laws will not allow her to participate in rehearsals {…}
Boston Lyric Opera has announced its 2019-20 season, featuring productions that span three centuries of opera. The upcoming season will mark General & Artistic Director Esther Nelson’s 10th season with the company. According to the press release, BLO aims to focus on works that “reflect the highs and lows of power and politics,” while “bringing passionate opera installations to new neighborhoods, and {…}
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2019-20 season, featuring a number of important soloists and important works. For this season announcement, we will only focus on vocal showcases or programs related to opera in any way. Here is a look. Yannick Nezet-Seguin leads the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal in Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 as well as Joyce DiDonato in {…}
It’s festival season and that means many stars are heading over to major companies to make role debuts, perform signature roles, or simply make important debuts with companies. Here is a look at what OperaWire recommends for this weekend. Nabucco – State Opera Stara Zagora, Bulgaria Maria Guleghina takes on her signature role of Abigaille alongside Romanian baritone Ionut Pascu and bass Ivailo {…}
Elena Stikhina has withdrawn from Opéra de Paris’ upcoming revival of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” The Opéra de Paris announced the news via social media and as a result, Jennifer Rowley will take over the role of Leonora singing alongside Yusif Eyvazov and Roberto Alagna as well Ekaterina Semenchuk and Gabriele Viviani. Maurizio Benini will conduct the production by Àlex Ollé. Rowley {…}