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, {…}

Sep 18, 2019

Corinne Winters & Ermonela Jaho Headline New CD/DVD Releases – September 16

This week, three rarities will be released on DVD and CD. One is a world premiere recording while the other two come from successful productions in 2018-19. Here is a look! The Bassarids Sean Panikkar stars in Henze’s opera that premiered last year at the Salzburg Festival. Arthaus Musik releases the new DVD, also starring Russell Braun, Nikolai Schukoff, and {…}

Sep 4, 2019

Stephen Costello Joins Cast of Richard Tucker Gala 2019

(Photo by Merri Cyr) The Richard Tucker Foundation has announced that tenor Stephen Costello will join this year’s gala on Oct. 27, 2019 at Carnegie Hall. Costello was the 2009 Richard Tucker Award recipient and also received a Career Grant in 2007 and the Sarah Tucker Study Grant in 2006. He will join a cast that includes 2019 honoree Lisette {…}

Jul 5, 2019

Ermonela Jaho & Marlis Petersen Lead Top 5 Operas To See This Weekend Internationally (7/5-7)

(Credit: Javier del Real/Teatro Real, Bayerische Staatsoper, Prudence Upton/Opera Australia) This weekend will showcase numerous leading divas and a number of new productions that will entice opera lovers. Here is a look. Anna Bolena – Opera Australia, Australia Ermonela Jaho takes on the title role in Donizetti’s demanding opera. She is joined by Leonardo Cortellazzi, Carmen Topciu, and Teddy Tahu Rhodes and conductor Renato {…}