The holiday season is officially underway. For many, that means going out and buying a plethora of gifts for loved ones. But what about that opera lover in your life? What do you buy him or her? There’s a ton to choose from and this year featured a plethora of amazing recordings to choose from. So to give you a {…}
This week’s major releases are as varied as they get. On one hand you have a famed interpreter of a renowned classic finally getting a home video release. There is also a recent world premiere getting its first commercial release. To top it all off, an iconic artist records his first album in half a decade. Let’s take a look. {…}
Opera Rara and Warner Classics are ramping up their partnership with a number of upcoming releases to follow up the collaboration on a recent recording of Rossini’s complete “Semiramide.” At a luncheon in New York City, the chief participants in the partnership, including conductor and Opera Rara musical director Sir Mark Elder, talked about the future plans, which included three {…}
The World Cup is in full swing, but those looking for more opera should turn to OperaVision to see “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” from the Dutch National Opera and Ballet. The production is headlined by John Osborn with Nina Minasyan, Ermonela Jaho, and Christine Rice as the three heroines. Irene Roberts appears as Nicklausse and Erwin Schrott takes on the four {…}
( Photo credit: Manfred Brückels) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its 2018-19 season featuring seven new productions and numerous revivals. The season will also include some of today’s biggest stars as well numerous ensemble members. Here is a look! New Productions Johan Reuter takes on the title role in Berg’s “Wozzeck” in a new production by Ole Anders Tanberg’s {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2018-19 season, which is set to include eight new productions and a number of revival productions. The season will also include a number of concert performances as well as recitals in the company’s summer festival. Here is a look at all the operatic events. New Productions Amélie Niermeyer directs a new production of Verdi’s {…}
The Staatsoper Unter den Linden Berlin has announced its 2018-19 Season, featuring numerous new productions and revivals featuring some of today’s most popular artists and conductors. Here is a look at what to expect next season. New Productions (in alphabetical order by title) Sonya Yoncheva headlines a new production of Cherubini’s “Medea” with Andrea Breth directing. Daniel Barenboim conducts the star-studded cast, {…}
Ermonela Jaho has canceled tonight’s performance of “Madama Butterfly.” The Metropolitan Opera announced via Twitter that due to illness Jaho would not be able to perform. As a result, Inna Dukach will sing the role of Cio-Cio-San, making her Met debut. Dukach, who has been covering “Madama Butterfly” since the fall, sang the role of Cio-Cio-San in Anchorage and Atlanta. {…}
Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” has been a staple of the repertoire for years and at the Metropolitan Opera, it has had somewhat of a renaissance ever since Anthony Minghella’s inventive production came opened in 2006. The opera is really a showcase for a great soprano who can bring forth intense emotions and who can captivate an audience with the lead character’s suffering. For this {…}
It’s the weekend and while many companies will take off for Christmas, a number still have high profile performances that will showcase some of opera’s greatest stars. Take a look! Il Trittico – Bayerische Staatsoper, Germany Kirill Petrenko leads a star-studded cast in Puccini’s three operas. Ermonela Jaho sings her signature Suor Angelica while Eva-Maria Westbroek and Yonghoon Lee star in “Il {…}
On Dec. 23 the Bayerische Staatsoper will present its new production of “Il Trittico” on its award-winning live stream service. The new production by Lotte de Beer stars Eva-Maria Westbroek and Yonghoon Lee in “Il Tabarro” and Ermonela Jaho in her signature role as “Suor Angelica.” Michaela Schuster is the villainous Princess. The evening caps off with Ambrogio Maestri in the title {…}