(Credit: Fotos von Bernd Uhlig, Kontakt: [email protected]) Often after watching a perplexing rendition of “Das Rheingold“, critics and public alike might proclaim: “Let’s see what will happen tomorrow night. Let us hold our judgement until then, to see where all of this is going.” And then, Herheim’s “Die Walküre” began, proving to be the worst of the cycle. The First {…}
(Fotos von Bernd Uhlig, Kontakt: [email protected]) It does seem that the 2021 Deutsche Oper Berlin’s Ring has been somewhat of a success over the last few years. And this is good for opera. A major achievement, this as other cycles, after the centennial Patrice Chéreau staging have created negative stirrings, indeed vivid contestations largely due to mistaken stage-director conceptions ingrained {…}
(Photo by Bernd Uhlig) I’m back in Berlin, a city I favor and enjoy so much, ready for yet another Ring cycle at Deutsche Oper, a large, comfortable 1850-seat theatre boldly designed in the Modernist style and simply ideal for large-scale productions. And none comes much larger than those penned by Giacomo Meyerbeer, Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner Therefore, with {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week several complete recordings will be released, as well as a unique take on Beethoven ‘s Symphony No. 9. Janáček: Katya Kabanova The second release in LSO Live’s cycle of Janáček opera recordings is “Katya Kabanova.” The album’s cast includes the superb {…}
Oper Graz has announced its 2022-23 season featuring numerous new productions and ensemble members. Britten’s War Requiem will be directed by Lorenzo Fioroni and conducted by Roland Kluttig and Nicolas Ellis. Flurina Stucki, Matthias Koziorowski, Mario Lerchenberger, and Markus Butter. Performance Dates: Sept. 24-Nov. 20, 2022 Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” will be directed by Floris Visser and conducted by Gábor Káli. {…}
The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its 2022-23 season featuring seven new productions. Premieres R.Strauss’ “Arabella” will be conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles in a new production by Tobias Kratzer. Albert Pesendorfer, Doris Soffel, Rachel Willis-Sørensen, Elena Tsallagova, and Russell Braun. Performance Dates: March 18-April 6, 2023 Arne Gieshoff and Franziska Angerer’s “Bear” will have its world premiere. Performance Dates: {…}
(Credit: Det Kongelige Bibliotek) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced the upcoming premiere Rued Langgaard’s “Antikrist.” The opera is set to open on Jan. 30, and will last until Feb. 11, 2022, for a total of four performances. The opera will star Thomas Lehman as the Satan, Jonas Grundner-Culemann as Voice of God, Valeriia Savinskaia in the role of Echo {…}
(Credits: www.opera-online.com / © Katrin Penschke) The Musikfest Berlin has announced its 2021 slate. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on the vocal works only. The Inaugural concert will feature the Bundesjugendchor performing choral works by Brahms, Schumann, di Lasso, Harvey, Hofmeyr, Rihm, Denner, and MacMillan. Anne Kohler conducts. Performance date: Aug. 28, 2021 Famed American soprano {…}
The Theater Basel has announced its 2021-22 season. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on opera productions only. Here is a look: Mozart‘s singspiel “Die Zauberflöte” will open the season. The opera stars Kai Kluge and Alex Banfield in the role of Tamino, Kali Hardwick as Pamina, Rainelle Krause as Die Königin der Nacht, and Patrick Zielke {…}
(Credits: © Sasha Arutyunova / Ashley Plante / ARSIS Artists official website / Jonathan Tetelman official website) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced plans for the rest of the 2020-21 season. Berlin’s largest opera house has been quite cautious in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and has only published the monthly schedule. The Deutsche Oper Berlin will reopen its {…}
(Credits: Michael Cooper / ©Neda Navaee / Ray Burmiston/Decca Classics / Kristen Hoebermann / Clémentine Margaine official website / Algirdas Bakas) Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its November and December 2020 schedule, which will spotlight a number of international opera stars. Here is the full slate. Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” will feature Philippe Talbot, Noel Bouley, Aigul Akhmetshina, Thomas {…}