Daniel Auber, born on Jan. 29, 1782, is a composer of dozens of French comic operas. He was never expected to be a musician, but he did learn a number of instruments in his youth. In 1811, he created his first opera “Julie” but the failure of his second opera two years later put a temporary end to his career {…}
Daniel Auber, born on Jan. 29, 1782, was one of France’s leading composers in his day. During his time he was a master of the ópera comique and featured prominently throughout his home-country. He had a long-running collaboration with noted librettist Eugène Scribe. In sum, he has over 30 works to his name. And yet, he isn’t part of the {…}
First premiering on January 28, 1830 at the Salle Ventadour in Paris, “Fra Diavolo” is based around the accounts of Michele Pezza, who was an Italian guerilla fighting against the French occupation in Italy. Although Daniel Auber will be remembered for being a proponent of French grand opera, this opera comique has proved itself as among his most popular and {…}
During the 19th century “Fra Diavolo,” written by Auber to a libretto by Scribe, was one of France’s most popular operas, amassing over 900 performances at the Opéra Comique, before finally being dropped from the repertoire in 1907. Nowadays, it has largely been forgotten, with only the occasional rare outing, of which Opera Roma’s is the latest offering. Yet, based {…}
Pretty Yende has pulled out of “Fra Diavolo” at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. The soprano announced on social media that due to “artistic reasons” she was forced to pull out of the anticipated production which is set to star John Osborn and Sonia Ganassi. The soprano apologized to her fans and wished best of luck to the cast and {…}
“Fra Diavolo” is a rarely performed opera and yet it has a great deal to offer for the tenor that decides to take on its major challenges. Well, this week, tenor John Osborn will be the man to step into the role of Auber’s opera at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma with a cast that also features Roberto de Candia, {…}
Alessandro Corbelli is one of the great baritones of the modern era, his refined bass style ideal for many of the comic roles that he has been so well-known for. Born on Sept. 21, 1952, the bass has become one of the great “Don Pasquale,” Dulcamara, and “Gianni Schicchi” interpreters of recent times. But what makes his an incredible artist {…}