This week will showcase the release of two second albums, a world premiere recording of a rare work, and a series continuation. Here is a look. Morgen Elsa Dreisig follows her debut album “Miroir(s)” with a recital of songs in collaboration with pianist Jonathan Ware. Taking its title, “Morgen,” from one of Richard Strauss’s best-loved lieder, it interweaves his music {…}
This week will see two baroque pieces and two modern works get releases. With one exception, this week’s selections are unique and rare works that span centuries of musical traditions. Orphée et Eurydice The Lyric Opera of Chicago’s famed production of Gluck’s masterpiece comes to DVD with a cast that includes Dmitry Korchak, Andriana Chuchman, and Lauren Snouffer. Harry Bicket {…}
(Credit: Sebastien Mathe) The works of Bellini’s, and Bel-Canto in general, have been underrated for centuries, with many judging the orchestration of the pieces as simply being accompaniments for the voices carrying the main melodies. But as every genius composer of opera, Bellini kept looking for the best way to transmit the drama of the libretto through the music and {…}
The shortlist for the Gramophone Awards 2019 has been announced. For the purposes of this article, we will focus solely on opera or vocal related awards. In the opera category, John Adams’ “Doctor Atomic” with the compose conducting was the first of three selections. Halevy’s “La Reine de Chypre” was the second nomination; this production featured the Orchestre de chambre {…}
This weekend a number of classics will be presented in new productions and with some of the top stars. Here are the top showcases that we recommend. I Puritani – Opéra de Paris, France Elsa Dreisig makes her role debut as Elvira alongside a remarkable cast that includes Javier Camarena, Nicolas Testé, and Igor Golovatenko. Riccardo Frizza conducts Laurent Pelly’s {…}
(Credit: Bernd Uhlig) Elsa Dreisig is one of the bright stars of the opera world slowly building an international career. At the young age of 28, the soprano has already conquered the Berlin State Opera, the Zurich Opera, and the Opéra de Paris; she is set to make her Royal Opera House debut this season. As an ensemble member of {…}
Soprano Elsa Dreisig has announced via social media her decision to cancel her final three concerts of the year. She was scheduled to perform Hugo Wolf’s “Italian Songbook” alongside baritone Bo Skovhus and pianist Christian Westergaard on July 30th and Aug. 1 & 2, 2019 at the Djurs og Mols Klassiske Koncerter, Odsherreds Chamber Music Festival, and CPH Opera Festival in Denmark. Dreisig cites {…}
(Credit: Charles Duprat) Great opera still exists. The kind where we see a strong cast buoyed by a clear staging and even better musical direction. That argument was strongly made and felt on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at the Palais Garnier with Ivo van Hove’s new production of “Don Giovanni.” The interpretation, which is headed to the Metropolitan Opera in {…}
Credit: Opera de Pairs/Teatro alla Scala/Wiener Staatsoper/Opera Royal de Wallonie It’s a weekend filled with broadcasts, premieres and new productions that are not be missed. Tosca – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Piotr Beczala receives his Kammersänger honor after the performance of Puccini’s masterpiece. He is joined by Nina Stemme and Carlos Álvarez. The starry cast is joined by Marc Armiliato in the {…}
The Opera National de Paris is set to present Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” live in cinemas. The company is set to present the work on June 21 all over Europe and on June 23, 2019 through Feb 2, 2020 in encore presentations. The new production by Ivo Van Hove is set to star Étienne Dupuis in the title role, Ain Anger as Commendatore, Jacquelyn {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced its 2019-20 Season featuring some of the greatest singers in the world in 17 new productions of both ballet and opera. For this article, we will only focus on opera performances. Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” opens the 2019-20 season with Erwin Schrott in the title role alongside Roberto Tagliavini, Malin Byström, Christine Rice. Daniel Behle, Emanuele D’Aguanno, Louise Alder, Lars Woldt, {…}