Weekend Preview – International (11/3-5): Diana Damrau, Evelyn Herlitzius & Patrizia Ciofi Headlne Concerts

It’s a rather quiet weekend for opera houses with many companies presenting ballet or concert series. Still, there are many favorites for opera fans! Austria “Katja Kabanova” highlights the Vienna State Opera starring Wolfgang Bankl, Herbert Lippert, Janina Baechle, Leonardo Navarro, Evelyn Herlitzius and Carlos Osuna. The company will also showcase “Un Ballo in Maschera” with Piero Pretti, Marco Caria, and Adrianne Pieczonka. {…}

Oct 20, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (10/20-22): Bilbao Opens New ‘I Masnadieri’ While The Scottish Opera Inaugerates ‘La Traviata’

Opera season continues in full circle with many of the leading companies bringing some of the top stars and showcasing favorite works. Australia Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov continue their tour in Australia, performing in Auckland. Austria The Vienna State Opera kicks off its weekend with “The Gambler” starring Dmitry Ulyanov, Elena Guseva, Misha Didyk, Linda Watson, Thomas Ebenstein, Elena Maximova, {…}

Oct 9, 2017

Royal Opera House 2017-18 Preview: 2013 ‘Les Vêpres Siciliennes Gets Encore Run

On Oct. 12, 2017, the Royal Opera House brings back Verdi’s “Les Vêpres Siciliennes” in Stefan Herheim’s production, which appeared at the theater in 2013. The production reunites Bryan Hymel, Michael Volle and Erwin Schrott, both of which took on the production during its initial run. Hymel took on the heroic role of Henri, Volle of his father Guy de {…}

Oct 2, 2017

Hispanic Heritage Month 2017: 11 Male Singers Who Have Become Icons In Opera

It is Hispanic Heritage month! The Latin American community has, particularly in recent years, been a major boon to the opera world, providing it with great singers and composers, and a number of great operas. As the third part of this weekly series, we will look at some of the most popular male Hispanic singers currently dominating the operatic world. Rolando {…}

Sep 1, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (9/1-3): Deutsche Oper Berlin Opens 2017-18 Season While La Scala Goes On Tour

It is a rather quiet weekend as many companies are in rehearsals gearing up for opening nights. However, some companies resume their 2016-17 seasons while others conclude summer festivals and others begin 2017-18 seasons. Here is a look at what to expect. Germany The Deutsche Oper Berlin kicks off its 2017-18 season with Verdi’s “La Traviata,” starring Ben Bernheim and Salome {…}

Aug 17, 2017

Chorégies d’Orange Summer 2018 Season To Feature Erwin Schrott, Olga Peretyatko, Aida Garifullina, Among Others

The Chorégies d’Orange has announced its 2018 season which will include two productions and recitals, among other things. Everything kicks off on May 25, 2018 with “Pop the Opera,” a concert featuring hundreds of artists from around the aria, performing famous excerpts from the world of opera. There will also be pop tunes and film music, giving the experience a {…}

Jul 20, 2017

Operalia Competition: Joyce DiDonato, Nina Stemme & the Great Winners of the 1990s

The Operalia Competition is just days away and in anticipation of the famed event, we will take a look back down memory lane at the opera singers who became stars after big performances at the competition. For this week’s installment, we will look at the early years of the competition and the 90s. Here are the winners of that decade {…}

Jun 13, 2017

San Francisco Opera 2017 Review – Don Giovanni: Ildebrando D’Arcangelo, Erin Wall Lead Solid Cast in Musically Balanced Production

San Francisco Opera’s “Don Giovanni” brings us bass-baritones with gusto, sopranos with flair, a tenor who pleads his case with feeling, and an opera that never ceases to amaze. Opening SFO’s 2017 summer season, Jacopo Spirei, in his SFO debut, offers us the ever satisfying chestnut in as provocative and seductive a production as the Don himself. Who can {…}

May 12, 2017

Erwin Schrott and Erik Anstine to Sin Leoporello At The San Francisco Opera

San Francisco Opera has announced that Uruguayan bass-baritone Erwin Schrott and American bass Erik Anstine will sing the role of Leporello in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” Both artists will make their first appearances with the San Francisco Opera as they will be stepping in for previously scheduled bass Marco Vinco, who has withdrawn from the production for health reasons. Schrott is {…}

May 3, 2017

Juan Diego Flórez, Roberto Alagna & Cecilia Bartoli Headline Opéra Monte Carlo 2017-18 Season

Opéra Monte Carlo has announced its 2017-18 season with a diverse amount of operas. The season’s first production, Rossini’s “La Cenerentola,” opens on Oct. 29, 2017, with Cecilia Bartoli leading the cast. Nicola Alaimo, Rebecca Olvera, Carlos Chausson, and Edgardo Rocha round out the cast in Jean-Pierre Ponnelle’s classic production. Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur” takes the stage on Nov. 19, 2017, {…}

Apr 28, 2017

Metropolitan Opera 2016-17 Review – Don Giovanni: Plácido Domingo Leads Pitch-Perfect Cast in Mozart’s Masterpiece

I am going to be rather forward with you. This analysis of Wednesday’s “Don Giovanni” at the Metropolitan Opera will kick off on a positive note before turning a bit sour in tone. But lo and behold, after that, I am going to return to my boyish enthusiasm for what I experienced at the opening of this revival run. The {…}

erwin schrott