Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week, audiences will be able to hear several rarely performed baroque works as well as a Wagner work and a celebration of Angela Gheorghiu’s landmark recordings. Arvo Pärt: And I heard a voice Estonian vocal ensemble Vox Clamantis and their leader Jaan-Eik Tulve release a {…}
(Photo: Patric Leo) On a memorable evening, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, joined by a distinguished cast of soloists, delivered a striking semi-staged rendition of Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte.” Under the inspired baton of youthful Tarmo Peltokoski, the performance unfolded as a fresh, witty reimagining that captured both its gravitas and playful spirit. Semi-Staged Production & Visual Details Director Romain Gilbert’s concept {…}
Full disclosure: my definition of purgatory is a Christof Loy opera staging. They are not infernal—there is always some redemption—and they used to be good. But now, they are definitely not for me. That mono-scenario, that preference for milk-aisle lighting and the somewhat surreal stagings. I get it, some people might like it. I am even friends with some of {…}
The Grand Théâtre de Genève has announced its 2025-26 season. Opera Mark Elder will conduct a new production of Wagner’s “Tannhäuser” starring Daniel Johansson, Samuel Sakker, Jennifer Davis, Victoria Karkacheva, Franz-Josef Selig, and Stéphane Degout. Tatjana Gürbaca directs. Performance Dates: Sept. 21-Oct. 4, 2025 Debussy’s “Pelléas & Mélisande” will star Björn Bürger, Mari Eriksmoen, Leigh Melrose, Nicolas Testé, Sophie Koch, {…}
The Elbphilharmonie Hamburg has announced its 2025-26 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances for the season. The Symphoniker Hamburg, alongside Carl-Philipp-Emanuel-Bach-Chor Hamburg and Knabenchor Hannover, perform Rufus Wainwright’s Dream Requiem. Mandy Fredrich and Isabelle Huppert are the soloists with Lucie Leguay conducting. Performance Date: August 22 & 23, 2025 Manuel Winckhler, Mauro Peter, Kathryn Lewek, Elsa Dreisig, Äneas {…}
Teatro Real presented a new production by Claus Guth of the unknown and rarely performed Mozart opera: “Mitridate.” The opera is a work that the talented Mozart composed when he was 14 -years -old and that followed the rigid structure of the XVIII century Italian opera, and therefore conforms with a series of recitatives (secco and accompagnato with piano forte {…}
(Photo credits: Vedinaș, Behrmann, & Adjahoe) The George Enescu International Festival 2025 announces its star-studded lineup. This article only features vocal works. The opening concert features the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. Iosef Ion Prunner and Cristian Măcelaru conduct. Performance Date: August 24, 2025 Soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen performs with the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra under the direction of Keri-lynn Wilson. {…}
The Teatro San Carlo has announced a cast change for its Feb. 25 performance of “Roméo et Juliette.” The company said, “Due to illness, soprano Nadine Sierra will not be able to sing the role of Juliette in the last performance of Roméo et Juliette.” As a result, French-Danish soprano Elsa Dreisig, one of the most important lyrical sopranos of {…}
(Photo credits: Borggreve, Fowler, & Reason) The Lied Festival Victoria de los Ángeles (LIFE Victoria) has announced its 2025 lineup. This article only features vocal works. Soprano Elsa Dreisig and pianist Romain Louveau perform Schumann’s “Dichterliebe,” along with works by Ravel, Pesson, Ströhl, and Fauré. Performance Date: February 11, 2025 A double bill of Poulenc’s “La voix humaine” and “La {…}
The Festival d’Aix-en-Provence has announced its 2025 festival. Opera First up is “Don Giovanni” in a production by Robert Icke starring Andrè Schuen, Krzysztof Bączyk, Golda Schultz, Magdalena Kožená, Amitai Pati, Clive Bayley, Madison Nonoa, and Paweł Horodyski. Sir Simon Rattle conducts. Performance Dates: July 4 – 18, 2025 Charpentier’s “Louise” stars Elsa Dreisig, Adam Smith, Sophie Koch, Grégoire Mour, Roberta {…}
(Credit: Facebook/Elsa Dreisig-Paris Opera) The Berlin State Opera has announced a cast change for its production of Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette.” The company said that Elsa Dresig and Maria Kokareva will take over the role of Juliette replacing Aida Garifullina, who was originally announced. Driesig will sing the role on Nov. 10, 20, 21, and 24 while Kokareva will sing the {…}
