Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide 2017 For Opera Lovers: Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Plácido Domingo & Maria Callas CD/DVDs Among Major Highlights

It’s the holiday season and that means gift buying and making difficult choices. As a result, OperaWire has lightened the task as we chose albums from some of our favorite artists and our key recommendations from the hundreds of releases from 2017. Maria Callas If you are going to spend money this year, Maria Callas: The Live Recordings is OperaWire’s {…}

Nov 13, 2017

CD / DVD Releases – Week of November 13: Renée Fleming, Rolando Villazón & Elina Garanca Headline New Releases

With the holiday season approaching, this will be filled with numerous DVDs and CDs to choose from. Many of opera’s top star in the releases including Sonya Yoncheva, Rolando Villazón and Renée Fleming. Norma Bel Canto fans will be treated to a new Norma from the Royal Opera House with a stellar cast. Sonya Yoncheva stars in the Mount Everest {…}

Oct 20, 2017

Social Media Beat (10/13-19): Rubber Ducks, Fencing & Bears Headline Opera Singers’ Activities This Week

It’s a weird week in the opera world with major artists showcasing pictures of strange new productions and even rubber ducks. Check it out. The Metropolitan Opera is gearing up for its upcoming production of “The Exterminating Angel” and had an interesting preview to showcase. As the dinner party in Thomas Adès’s The Exterminating Angel progresses, things take a decidedly {…}

Oct 20, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (10/20-22): Bilbao Opens New ‘I Masnadieri’ While The Scottish Opera Inaugerates ‘La Traviata’

Opera season continues in full circle with many of the leading companies bringing some of the top stars and showcasing favorite works. Australia Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov continue their tour in Australia, performing in Auckland. Austria The Vienna State Opera kicks off its weekend with “The Gambler” starring Dmitry Ulyanov, Elena Guseva, Misha Didyk, Linda Watson, Thomas Ebenstein, Elena Maximova, {…}

Oct 13, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (10/13-10/15): Angela Gheorghiu Highlights A New Production of ‘Adriana Lecouvreur’ & Virginia Tola Highlights Rome’s ‘Tosca’

It’s another weekend filled with some of the greatest stars and some popular titles. Austria The Vienna State Opera kicks off its weekend with “Don Giovanni” starring Adam Plachetka, Irina Lungu, Benjamin Bruns, Dorothea Röschmann and Robert Gleadow and will be followed by “The Gambler” with Dmitry Ulyanov, Elena Guseva, Misha Didyk, Linda Watson, Thomas Ebenstein, Elena Maximova, and Morten Frank Larsen. {…}

Oct 11, 2017

Opéra National De Paris 2017-18 Review – Don Carlos: Jonas Kaufmann, Elīna Garanča, Sonya Yoncheva & Company Deliver Performance For the Ages

The hotly anticipated production of Verdi’s five-act grand opera “Don Carlos” opened at the Opéra National de Paris on 10 October to a mixed reception. The outstanding cast comprised of German tenor Jonas Kaufmann in the title role, French baritone Ludovic Tézier as Rodrigo, Marquis of Posa, Russian basses Ildar Abdrazakov and Dmitry Belosselskiy as Philippe II and the Grand {…}

Oct 9, 2017

Artist Of The Week: Elīna Garanča Brings Her Dramatic Skills As Eboli At The Opéra National De Paris

For years, Elīna Garanča has been making headlines for her incredible technique, dramatic power, and incredible stage presence. She has conquered the works of Donizetti, Bellini, Bizet and Rossini and has also created memorable portrayals as Charlotte in “Werther,” Leonore in “La Favorite” and a highly acclaimed “Carmen.” After years of singing from the lyric repertoire and saying goodbye to {…}

Oct 7, 2017

Paris National Opera 2017-18 Preview: Jonas Kaufmann, Sonya Yoncheva & 7 Reasons To See ‘Don Carlos’

Arguably the event of the fall season (at least we thought so) the Opéra National de Paris’ production of Verdi’s “Don Carlos,” in full five-act splendor is going to turn a ton of heads. The reason? There are seven of them. Let’s look at each of them. First off is Jonas Kaufmann. The star tenor is a must-see anywhere he {…}

Oct 5, 2017

Decca Classics Announces Renee Fleming’s Farewell ‘Der Rosenkavalier’

Decca Classics has announced “Der Rosenkavalier” from the Metropolitan Opera. The historical performance features Renée Fleming’s farewell to her signature role as the Marschallin and Elīna Garanča’s final performance in a pants role. The cast also includes Gunther Groissböck and Erin Morley in Robert Carsen’s new prosuction. Regarding Fleming’s performance, OperaWire noted, “Her overall interpretation of the character was to depict the Marschallin {…}

Sep 22, 2017

Jonas Kaufmann and Sonya Yoncheva To Light Up The Silver Screen In ‘Don Carlos’

Opera fans who won’t be in Paris for OperaWire’s most anticipated production of the fall, “Don Carlos,” will get a chance to see the opera live in cinemas. The Opéra National de Paris is teaming up with Arte, France Musique, FRA Cinema and Telemondis to bring the opera to theaters on Oct. 19. The new production by Krzysztof Warlikowski will star {…}

Sep 16, 2017

5 Early Recordings by Mezzo Elīna Garanča

Elīna Garanča is one of the most famous singers of the modern opera world. Born on Sept. 16, 1976, the Latvian mezzo has gone from bel canto specialist to a dominant singing actress in the dramatic repertoire. Known for her vocal prowess and technical perfection (have you ever heard her struggle with any vocal line?), she is also an imaginative {…}