It is time to wrap up the year and look back at our favorite moments and performers. After releasing our favorite performances of 2024 and showcasing our rising stars of the year, it’s time for OperaWire’s annual tradition of naming our top 11 singers of the year, performers that we thought stood out. Performers who had major breaks, headlined major productions or simply had {…}
The Opéra National de Paris has announced the streaming slate for Paris Opera Play during the months of January and February. First up is “Vissi d’arte – Gala Maria Callas,” starring Sondra Radvanovsky, Pretty Yende, Kate Lindsey, and Eve-Maud Hubeaux. Eun Sun Kim conducted the gala, which was be directed by Robert Carsen. The event took place in December 2023. {…}
(Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera) Whether Nietzsche actually meant it when he declared Bizet’s “Carmen” to be the perfect opera, or whether it was merely a literary tantrum aimed at his once-beloved Richard Wagner, it matters not. The resounding overture to “Carmen” provides its own argument as to the opera’s justified and beloved place in the canon. Love is a {…}
San Francisco Opera’s 2024 Fall Season concludes with the Bizet’s “Carmen.” The production by Francesca Zambello will be performed between Nov. 13–Dec. 1 at the War Memorial Opera House. Mezzo-soprano Eve-Maud Hubeaux is set to make her American debut in the title role alongside Jonathan Tetelman as Don José, Louise Alder as Micaëla, and Christian Van Horn as Escamillo. The {…}
NHK Classic is set to broadcast “La Gioconda” on Oct. 28, 2024 from the Teatro San Carlo. The Japanese broadcasting company announced the news via social media. The recording which was made in April 2024 stars Anna Netrebko in the title role, Jonas Kaufmann as Enzo, Eve-Maud Hubeaux as Laura, Ludovic Tézier as Barnaba, Ksenia Nikolaeva as La Cieca, and {…}
(Photo credit: SF/Marco Borrelli) The ending of “Capriccio” has often been praised; less has been said out loud about how never ending the rest of the opera is. Performed in a concert version, with little to no theatrical movement, it lasts for almost an eternity. Perhaps I am being too harsh. Although “Capriccio” is far from a magnum opus, it is {…}
La Monnaie de Munt has announced the 2024-25 season. Opera Wagner’s “Siegfried” will star Magnus Vigilius, Peter Hoare, Gábor Bretz, Scott Hendricks, Wilhelm Schwinghammer, Ingela Brimberg, Nora Gubisch, and Liv Redpath. Alain Altinoglu conducts Pierre Audi’s production. Performance Dates: Sept. 11-Oct. 4, 2024 Kris Defoort’s “The Time of Our Singing ” will star Mark S. Doss, Claron Mcfadden, Simon Bailey, Levy {…}
Editor’s note: The initial review is for the performance on April 10, 2024 and was written by Francisco Salazar. The addendum is for the performance on April 13, 2024 and was written by David Salazar, who attended both performances. It’s been 47 years since Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda” has been shown at the Teatro San Carlo. Considered one of the most {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Aida.” The company said that Eve-Maud Hubeaux will sing the role of Amneris replacing Anita Rachvelishvili. Hubeaux recently made her debut at the Salzburg Easter Festival in “La Gioconda” and is currently performing a production of Ponchielli’s masterwork at the Teatro San Carlo. She is set to {…}
The Teatro San Carlo di Napoli has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of “La Gioconda.” The company said that Eve-Maud Hubeaux will sing the role of Laura replacing the originally announced Anita Rachvelishvili. Hubeaux recently sang the role at the Salzburg Easter Festival and critics noted she is “captivating” as Gioconda’s revival. The mezzo will once again {…}
This week a new production of Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda” is set to open at the famed Salzburg Easter Festival. The opera, which is rarely performed, required six of the greatest voices and the festival lined up a star cast including rising star Eve-Maud Hubeaux, who is set to portray her first Laura. Over the past years, the mezzo has become {…}