Asmik Grigorian, Kate Lindsey, Jonathan Tetelman, Benjamin Bernheim, Elīna Garanča, Lisette Oropesa & Juan Diego Flórez Lead Salzburg Festival’s 2026 Season

The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2026 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Franck Ollu conducts Pascal Dusapin and Rita de Letteriis’s “Passion” starring Sarah Aristidou, Georg Nigl, and Schola Heidelberg. Performance Date: July 23, 2026 Asmik Grigorian stars as Bizet’s “Carmen” alongside Jonathan Tetelman, Kristina Mkhitaryan, and Davide Luciano. Teodor Currentzis conducts the production by Gabriela {…}

Nov 22, 2025

Teatro alla Scala 2024-25 Review: Così fan tutte

(Photo: © Vito Lorusso / Teatro alla Scala) During the Classical period, audiences entertained themselves with theatrical farces, literary comedies and other artistic forms that, besides amusing, also served as social critique. “Così fan tutte,” premiered in Vienna in 1790, is a direct heir to that tradition. Mozart’s work explores seduction, fidelity and the illusion of love. Its characters take {…}

Sep 21, 2025

Angela Gheorghiu, Magdalena Kožená, Sabine Devieilhe, Brian Mulligan, Jennifer Holloway, & Gaëlle Arquez Lead New CD/DVD Releases

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 {…}

Sep 9, 2025

Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen 2025 Review: Die Zauberflöte (Semi-Staged)

(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 {…}

Jul 16, 2025

Festival Aix-en-Provence 2025 Review: Louise

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 {…}

May 20, 2025

Joyce DiDonato, Corinne Winters, Nahuel Di Pierro, Stéphane Degout & Brenda Rae Lead Grand Théâtre de Genève’s 2025-26 Season

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, {…}

Apr 28, 2025

Jonas Kaufmann, Cecilia Bartoli, Marina Rebeka, Karita Mattila, Benjamin Appl, Rolando Villazón, & Elsa Dreisig Lead Elbphilharmonie Hamburg’s 2025-26 Season

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 {…}

Apr 11, 2025

Teatro Real 2024-25 Review: Mitridate (Cast A)

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 {…}

Mar 12, 2025

Asmik Grigorian, Sonya Yoncheva, Judit Kutasi, Maximilian Schmitt, & Soloman Howard Star in George Enescu International Festival 2025

(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. {…}

Feb 24, 2025

Teatro San Carlo Announces Cast Change for ‘Roméo et Juliette’

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 {…}

Feb 3, 2025

Mark Padmore, Elsa Dreisig, Mercedes Gancedo, & Hugo Brady Take the Stage in LIFE Victoria 2025

(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 {…}