Jonas Kaufmann, Anja Harteros & Anna Netrebko Headline Bayerische Staatsoper’s 2020-21 Season

The Bayerische Staatsoper announced its 2020-21 season which includes eight new productions and numerous revivals. Premieres The first new production of the year will be “Die Vögel” by Walter Braunfels, who also penned the libretto. Ingo Metzmacher conducts a production by Frank Castrof that will star Wolfgang Koch, Günter Papendell, Caroline Wettergreen, Emily Pogorelc, Eliza Bloom, and Yajie Zhang, among {…}

Feb 25, 2020

Ermonela Jaho Cancels ‘La Traviata’ in Munich

(Credit: Fadil Berisha) Soprano Ermonela Jaho has canceled her appearance in Verdi and Piave’s “La Traviata” at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, according to an official statement on the company’s website. In her stead, soprano Ekaterina Siurina will take over the presentation scheduled for Feb. 25, 2020. Siurina will join the cast that includes Liparit Avetisyan, Sir Simon Keenlyside, Daria {…}

Dec 16, 2019

Royal Opera House 2019-20 Review: Otello

(Credit: Catherine Ashmore / ROH) Smothered in monochrome, Keith Warner’s 2017 production of Verdi’s “Otello” is a humorless parody of art deco design. Tar-colored towers hold its personages in a chokehold; escorting them onstage with sliding trays resembling CD player disc drives. Vertical slots in the abyss and square-shaped patterns often visible on casual sweaters sever the obscurity. In its {…}

Dec 13, 2019

Piotr Beczala, Ermonela Jaho & Carmela Remigio Highlight Top 6 International Weekend (12/15-18)

(Credit: Moritz Schell Fotografie/Catherine Ashmore/Yasuko Kageyama / TOR) Three rarely performed works highlight the international weekend with three other repertory staples. There are also two new productions opening with one company premiere. Here is a look at what we recommend. Halka – Theater an der Wien, Austria Łukasz Borowicz conducts a new production of Moniuszko’s masterpiece. Mariusz Treliński directs the {…}

Dec 4, 2019

CD Review: Puccini’s ‘Le Willis’

In line with its commitment to promote the sidelined repertoire of the 19th century, Opera Rara has released the world premiere recording of “Le Willis,” the one-act opera that Puccini submitted to the Concorso Sonzogno and later turned into the revised version of “Le Villi.” Not only does it testify to the musical panorama of the pre-Verismo decades, it also {…}

Nov 12, 2019

Ermonela Jaho Cancels Baden-Baden Gala

Errmonela Jaho has canceled her gala performance at the Theater Baden-Baden. The soprano announced the cancelation via social media stating, “Due to personal health reasons I have to withdraw from the Gala concert in Baden-Baden this November 17th… I apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused to everyone… Thank you all for your understanding and support….” Jaho recently made {…}

Nov 6, 2019

Ermonela Jaho & Roberto Alagna Lead New CD/DVD Releases – Nov. 8

It is a big week for CDs and DVD releases in the opera world. As companies get ready for the holiday season, numerous artists have new releases that are must buys. Here are our recommendations. Myrthen With “Myrthen,” baritone Christian Gerhaher embarks on the second chapter of his once-in-a-lifetime project: the complete recording of Robert Schumann’s lieder output. Lauded as {…}

Oct 28, 2019

Review: Richard Tucker Gala 2019

(Credit: Dario Acosta) Editor’s Note: This review was a collaboration between David & Francisco Salazar. The Richard Tucker Gala is one of those nights that you circle on your opera calendar every single year. It’s everything people want from a high-end concert. Big stars in glamorous attire. A hallowed venue. And some of the greatest music ever written. In the {…}

Oct 25, 2019

Lisette Oropesa, Russell Thomas Among Major Stars In Top 6 Operas To See This Weekend

October is at an end and opera season is in full force. This weekend features a plethora of fascinating options across the country, making it truly challenging to single out a few specific performances. And despite the high quality all around, we zeroed in on a few showcases that we feel really rise to the top. Here are our top {…}

Oct 18, 2019

Olga Peretyatko, Jessica Pratt & Anna Pirozzi Headline International Weekend – (10/18-20)

(Credit: Teatro Regio di Torino/Royal Opera/Bilbao Opera This weekend is filled with new productions, season openings, role debuts and some of operas greatest masterpieces. Lolita – Prague State Opera, Czech Republic Rodion Shchedrin’s new opera gets another performance at the Estates Theatre with Pelageya Kurennaya in the title role, as well as Petr Sokolov, Alexander Kravets, Daria Rositskaya, Michaela Zajmi, {…}

Oct 7, 2019

Anna Netrebko, Ermonela Jaho & Charles Castronovo Lead ARTE Opera’s 2019-20 Season

ARTE has announced its 2019-20 season ARTE opera season. The season will showcase one opera per month and will bring some of the world’s greatest stars to its streaming service. The season opens with Puccini’s ‘Turandot” in a new production by Franc Aleu from Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona. The opera stars Iréne Theorin in the title role, Alexander Vinogradov, {…}