With 2018 beginning there is so much to look forward to as many of the greatest stars will take on new roles while others will reprise signature parts in new productions alongside star-studded casts. The following is a look at some of the most anticipated new and revival productions that are all likely to create buzz and conversations around the {…}
La Fenice opened its 2017-18 season with an interesting and courageous production of Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera,” a production which under the direction of Gianmaria Aliverta aimed at producing a deeper reading of the work, one which sought to uncover the underlying structural political conflicts that led to the assassination of a political leader. Verdi and his librettist, Antonio {…}
This marked my third time traveling to Madrid. What made this one unique was the number of Spanish flags in neighborhoods in the capital – a result of recent events in which autonomous Catalonia is seeking independence. That political backdrop brought further relevance to Calixto Bieito’s production of “Carmen,” seen at the beautiful Teatro Real on Thursday night. It’s a {…}
It’s another weekend filled with some of the greatest stars and some popular titles. Austria The Vienna State Opera kicks off its weekend with “Don Giovanni” starring Adam Plachetka, Irina Lungu, Benjamin Bruns, Dorothea Röschmann and Robert Gleadow and will be followed by “The Gambler” with Dmitry Ulyanov, Elena Guseva, Misha Didyk, Linda Watson, Thomas Ebenstein, Elena Maximova, and Morten Frank Larsen. {…}
It is a rather quiet weekend as many companies are in rehearsals gearing up for opening nights. However, some companies resume their 2016-17 seasons while others conclude summer festivals and others begin 2017-18 seasons. Here is a look at what to expect. Germany The Deutsche Oper Berlin kicks off its 2017-18 season with Verdi’s “La Traviata,” starring Ben Bernheim and Salome {…}
Salzburg Festival is about luxury. The audience is filled with celebrities, the casts are filled with stars, and the (relatively) higher priced tickets, all show its luxury. Yet, what defines its luxury, for me, is its long rehearsal period. When Anna Netrebko said in an interview how she wanted more rehearsals and Riccardo Muti said “preparing an opera the way {…}
Opera continues to break records with this weekend’s ratings of Verdi’s “Aida.” According to ORF, the TV screening of “Aida” from the Salzburg Festival took a 17 percent market share this weekend. The reports noted that there were an estimated 473,000 viewers. The production starred reigning diva Anna Netrebko, Francesco Meli, Ekaterina Semenchuk and Luca Salsi. Riccardo Muti conducted the Vienna Philharmonic {…}
It’s a star-studded weekend with Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko, Sonya Yoncheva, Plácido Domingo, and Nino Machaidze headlining major concerts and productions around the world. Find out where you can catch them this weekend right here. Australia Jonas Kaufmann returns to Australia for a run of Wagner’s “Parsifal” at the Sydney Opera House with Michelle DeYoung. Verdi’s Requiem will also get {…}
“Aida” at the Salzburg Festival has been sold for months with many opera lovers left without tickets. However, this weekend those not at Salzburg or without a ticket are in luck because the performance on August 12, 2017, will be presented by radio and on TV around the world. “Aida” will be recorded by ORF, NHK, ZDF and UNITEL in collaboration {…}
C Major has announced the release of Verdi’s “I Due Foscari” with Plácido Domingo from the Teatro alla Scala. The new release stars Francesco Meli and Anna Pirozzi and is conducted by Michele Mariotti. Staged by Alvis Hermanis, the production received rave reviews when it premiered in 2016. The Financial Times wrote, “Plácido Domingo is the definitive Francesco of recent times” {…}
The Salzburg Festival is donating 50,000 Euros to facilitate musical education for Syrian refugee children in Jordan over the next two years. The festival announced that the money being donated to MECI (Middle East Children’s Institute) was the net profit from ticket sales for the dress rehearsal of Verdi’s “Aida” performed on August 3, 2017. The performance starred Anna Netrebko, Francesco Meli, {…}
