(Credit: Vincent Pontet/Paris Opera) This week the Paris Opera opened its 2024-25 season with Verdi’s final work. The production featured some of the greatest interpreters of the opera as well as an array of singers new to the work. Among them was Olivia Boen who was making a double debut. The American soprano not only made her role debut as {…}
In preparation for its 2023-24 season opener “Falstaff,” Knoxville Opera welcomes local high school students for “Falstaff: Comedy & Shakespeare Camp.” From Oct. 9-13 at the Knoxville Opera’s offices, participants will explore Shakespearean style, comedy, stage presence, and performance practices. Bijou Theatre’s Nathan McGhee and soprano Sarah Clementine Mire lead the activities. The camp culminates with the opportunity for students {…}
(Photo: © Ruth Walz) A couple of weeks ago, I had a lovely conversation with one of the dramaturgists of Salzburg Festival’s production of Verdi’s “Falstaff.” He pinpointed how strange it is for a dramaturg to hear that the staging for this production did not work, but the music did. To him, music and theater are part of the same {…}
The Greek National Opera is now streaming a new production of Verdi’s “Falstaff” on its platform GNO TV The recording took place during the production’s initial run from Jan. 26, 2023-Feb. 12, 2023. The production, which was directed by Stephen Langridge and conducted by Pier Giorgio Morandi, starred Dimitri Platanias in the title role alongside Tassis Christoyannis as Ford, Vassilis {…}
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has made a cast change for its production of “Falstaff.” The company announced that Rosalia Cid will be performing the role of Nannetta. Cid recently performed with the Orchestra di Padova in a concert featuring Mendelssohn’s Second Symphony. She also performed in a production of “La Sonnambula” at the Semperoper Dresden, as well as “La fina {…}
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced a change to its upcoming festival. The company said that it would replace Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” with Verdi’s “Falstaff.” Daniele Gatti will conduct the masterpiece in Sven-Eric Bechtolf’s 2021 production with a cast that includes Michael Volle (Falstaff), Markus Werba (Ford), and Claudia Huckle (Meg Page), who were already scheduled for “Meistersinger.” {…}
On April 1, 2023, Fathom Events will present the Metropolitan Opera’s live transmission of Verdi’s “Falstaff” to movie theaters nationwide. Led by conductor Daniele Rustioni, the production stars baritone Michael Volle in the title role, with soprano Ailyn Perez as Alice Ford, mezzo Jennifer Johnson Cano as Meg Page, among others. Director Robert Carsen’s production first premiered at the Met {…}
The Palm Beach Opera is set to present Verdi’s final opera “Falstaff” for the first time in company history. The performances will be performed between March 24 and 26 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and will star Michael Chioldi in the title role. He will be joined by Amber Wagner who will return as Alice Ford, mezzo-soprano {…}
On Mar. 12, 2023, the Metropolitan Opera revived and gave the Robert Carsen-directed “Falstaff” its season premiere, marking the company’s 193rd performance that crackled with energy and verve. There was electricity in the crowd, as well. At times, an opening night can feel like a final dress rehearsal. This was not one of those times. The show was tight and {…}
Verdi’s final opera, “Falstaff,” is set to return for six performances between March 12 and April 1. The production will star baritone Michael Volle in his first Verdi role at the Met and Ailyn Pérez in her acclaimed portrayal of Alice Ford. When she first sang the role at the Met, OperaWire said, “as Alice Ford, Ailyn Pérez put on {…}
To talk with the rising stars of Opera San Jose’s upcoming production of “Falstaff” was more than a treat: it was a privilege. The perspectives of soprano Chanáe Curtis and baritone Darren Drone promise rich and vibrant contributions to their future musical careers. Each of the young singers showed a genuine commitment to opera and their contributions to it. In {…}