Christian Gerhaher, Joyce DiDonato, Józef Orliński, Benjamin Bernheim Among Nominees for Gramophone Awards 2020

Credit: Gregor Hohenberg/Sony Gramophone has announced the recordings that have advanced to the final round of the Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2020. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on vocal, choral, and opera categories. The first contestant in the opera category is the Barber’s “Vanessa,” performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Glyndebourne Chorus, under the musical {…}

Jun 3, 2020

Wallis Giunta, Emma Bell Headline OperaVision’s June 2020 Slate

(Credit: Tristram Kenton / Alastair Muir / Monika Ritterhaus / Jon Persson) OperaVision has announced its programming for the first half of June which will be mainly focused on English-language operas. First up will be Opera North’s production of “Trouble in Tahiti” starring Wallis Giunta and Quirjin de Lang. Tobias Ringborg conducts. Streaming Dates: June 2, 2020 – June 30, {…}

May 31, 2020

Glyndebourne Open House Reveals New Streaming Options Starring Brenda Rae, Emma Bell, Luca Pisaroni

(Image Provided by Glyndebourne) Glyndebourne has announced new programming for its Open House streaming service. In addition to presenting Mozart and Da Ponte’s trilogy between May 24 and June 13, the company will also be showcasing two unique works spanning hundreds of years. On June 14, the company will be present “Vanessa” in collaboration with OperaVision. The operatic thriller hails {…}

May 11, 2020

Jamie Barton Among Major Winners of BBC Music Magazine Awards

(Credit: Rebecca Fay) The BBC Music Magazine Awards have been announced. The recording of the year went to Purcell’s “King Arthur” with Anna Dennis, Mhairi Lawson, Rowan Pierce, Carolyn Sampson, Jeremy Budd, James Way, Roderick Williams, and Ashley Riches. The Gabrieli Players, conducted by Paul McCreesh, are featured. Meanwhile, the Choral Award went to Gabriel Jackson and the The Passion of {…}

Mar 14, 2020

Q & A: Soprano Emma Bell on Lyric vs. Dramatic Roles, Interpreting ‘Vanessa’ & ‘Fidelio’

(Credit: Paul Foster-Williams) In recent seasons, British soprano Emma Bell has developed her repertoire, moving from the Mozart heroines, with which she established her career, to the key dramatic roles of Wagner and Beethoven. She has performed at the Teatro alla Scala, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Metropolitan Opera House, Bayerische Staatsoper, Staatsoper Hamburg, Deutsche Oper Berlin, among others. OperaWire {…}

Jun 11, 2019

Brian Jagde & Levy Sekgapane Headline New DVD/CD Releases – June 10

Five new DVDs are set for release this week. They include four rarely performed works and one of the most popular operas in the repertoire. Here is a look. Das Wunder Der Heliane Naxos is set to release Korngold’s rarely performed opus, which was recorded at the Deutsche Oper Berlin’s 2018 festival season. The acclaimed performance stars American soprano Sara Jakubiak, {…}

May 10, 2019

Danielle De Niese, Louise Alder & Kristina Mkhitaryan Higlight Glyndebourne’s 2020 Festival

The Glyndebourne Festival has announced its 2020 season featuring two company premieres, three new productions, and three revivals. It will also feature international artists and some company favorites. The Glyndebourne festival will open with the first production of Poulenc’s “Dialogues des Carmélites.” The new production will be directed by Barrie Kosky and will be conducted by Music Director Robin Ticciati. Danielle {…}

Aug 3, 2018

Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – International (8/3-5)

Here’s a look at the operas to see this weekend around Europe. The Queen of Spades – Salzburg Festival, Austria The highly anticipated new production of Tchaikovsky’s masterwork opens with Brandon Jovanovich singing the lead and Evgenia Muraveva as Liza. Oksana Volkova, Hanna Schwarz, Igor Golovatenko, and Vladislav Sulimsky also star in Hans Neuenfels’ production. Mariss Jansons conducts. Carmen – Bregenz Festival, Austria Bizet’s {…}

Jul 30, 2018

Artist Of The Week: Emma Bell

For the past few years Emma Bell has slowly become one of the leading dramatic sopranos of her generation. Making a transition from Mozart’s leading ladies those of Wagner, she has garnered acclaim and this week she returns to the Glyndebourne festival for another major role debut. Bell will have the honor of bringing Barber’s “Vanessa” to the UK for {…}

May 2, 2018

Nicole Cabell, Anthony Roth Costanzo & Nathan Gunn Headline English National Opera’s 2018-19 Season

The English National Opera has announced its 2018-19 season with five new Productions including a World Premiere, four revivals, and two collaborations. The season will include contemporary pieces and bold new takes on seminal works to audience-favorite classic stagings. The season kicks off with a new production of Strauss’ “Salome” by Adena Jacobs. Conductor Martyn Brabbins leads the production with Allison {…}

Apr 11, 2018

Scottish Opera 2018-19 Season To Feature Thomas Allen, Emma Bell & Adam Smith

The Scottish Opera has announced the 2018-19 season. The season will feature five staged productions and a number of concert opera performances. Let’s dive in. The season kicks off with Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” which will get its opening night performance on Oct. 18, 2018. Aris Argiris stars in the title role with Lina Johnson as Gilda and Adam Smith as the Duke {…}