(Credit: Charles Duprat) Great opera still exists. The kind where we see a strong cast buoyed by a clear staging and even better musical direction. That argument was strongly made and felt on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at the Palais Garnier with Ivo van Hove’s new production of “Don Giovanni.” The interpretation, which is headed to the Metropolitan Opera in {…}
Credit: Opera de Pairs/Teatro alla Scala/Wiener Staatsoper/Opera Royal de Wallonie It’s a weekend filled with broadcasts, premieres and new productions that are not be missed. Tosca – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Piotr Beczala receives his Kammersänger honor after the performance of Puccini’s masterpiece. He is joined by Nina Stemme and Carlos Álvarez. The starry cast is joined by Marc Armiliato in the {…}
The Opera National de Paris is set to present Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” live in cinemas. The company is set to present the work on June 21 all over Europe and on June 23, 2019 through Feb 2, 2020 in encore presentations. The new production by Ivo Van Hove is set to star Étienne Dupuis in the title role, Ain Anger as Commendatore, Jacquelyn {…}
This weekend is all about the stars. From Vienna to Germany to the United Kingdom, every cast has some of the world’s greats performing. Check out this weekend’s picks! Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Jean-Pierre Ponnelle’s production continues at the Vienna house with a starry cast that includes Yonghoon Lee singing Turiddu and Fabio Sartori as Canio. Elina Garanca stars {…}
The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its 2019-20 season, which will include six new productions and dozens of revivals with some of opera’s greatest stars. New Productions The first new production of the season will be Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino.” The production will be directed by Frank Castorf and will star Russell Thomas and Marcelo Alvarez as Don Alvaro. {…}
The Opéra de Montréal has announced its 2019-20 season featuring five staged operas and an opera in concert version. The season will open with Tchaïkovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” with real-life couple Etienne Dupuis and Nicole Car as Onegin and Tatiana. They will be accompanied by tenor Owen McCausland, mezzo Carolyn Sproule, bass Denis Sedov, mezzo Christiane Bélanger, with a guest appearance {…}
Following a mixed premiere of “Samson et Delila,” the second evening of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2018-19 season saw a far more conventional and beloved work being performed, Puccini’s “La Bohème.” This opera is, unsurprisingly, the most performed of the company’s history, and that experience made itself clear throughout the night. Strong Debutante Making her debut with the company was Nicole {…}
Puccini’s “La Bohème” comes back every season to the Met Opera. And because of its popularity, the opera often features a number of different casts, which can make it tricky for audiences to decide when to head to Lincoln Center for Puccini’s famed masterpiece. Here is a breakdown of the casts so you can be sure to catch this great {…}
The word “Bohemian” – much like the popular terms “retro,” “Goth,” or “vintage” – is yet another label that has offered countless inferences over a plethora of different times. The “Bohème” clique of Puccini, undercut by the whimsy and exuberance of Italian verismo, would contrast with a play rendition of its source, Henri Murger’s “Scènes de la Vie de Bohème.” {…}
The Opéra de Marseille announced its 2018-19 season, featuring eight productions and a number of concert performances. The season will include a number of revivals and new productions as well as some of the biggest rising stars. Here is a look. Productions The season opens with Leo Nucci directing Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” starring Juan Jesús Rodriguez, Riccardo Massi, and Olesya {…}