(Credit: Courtesy of Franco Vassallo) Franco Vassallo is set to make his role debut as Miller in Verdi’s “Luisa Miller” at the Festival Verdi of Parma. Vassallo will star in a new production, directed by Lev Dodin and conducted by Roberto Abbado. In a press statement the baritone noted, “In the gallery of the Verdi Fathers, Miller is a unique {…}
This week two new DVDs are set for release. There is also an intriguing choral CD that will include some world premiere recordings. Check it out! Il Barbiere di Siviglia Naxos is set to release a new production from the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris with Florian Sempey in the title role, Michele Angelini as the Count, Catherine Trottmann as Rosina, {…}
Baritone Franco Vassallo will soon make his Rossini Opera Festival Debut at the prestigious GALA ROF XL. He will sing “Largo al factotum,” Figaro’s aria from Il Barbiere di Siviglia. A leading interpreter, he has sung the role at several of the world’s foremost opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, and Vienna State Opera. “That of Figaro has {…}
The Teatro Comunale di Bologna has announced its 2020 season. Here is a look at what to expect. The season opens with Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” conducted by Juraj Valčuha and in a new production by Ralf Pleger. Stefan Vinke and Ann Petersen take on the title role s with Albert Dohmen, Martin Gantner, and Ekaterina Gubanova. Performance Dates: Jan. 24-31, 2020 Karah Son, Cristina {…}
The Semperoper Dresden has announced that Franco Vassallo will perform Rodrigo in a highly anticipated new production of Verdi’s “Don Carlo.” Vassallo will sing all four performances, which are all sold out. The production is highly anticipated as it marks the return of Anna Netrebko to the Semperoper Dresden and her role debut as Elisabetta in the work. Vassallo will {…}
Oper Frankfurt’s new season is massive. It is loaded up with over a dozen new productions and even more revivals. Premieres Damiano Michieletto directs a new production of Rossini’s “Otello” starring Enea Scala in the title role, Karolina Makuła as Desdemona, Theo Lebow as Iago, and Jack Swanson as Rodrigo. Sesto Quatrini conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 8-Oct. 20, 2019 Asmik Grigorian sings {…}
The Salzburg Osterfestspiele has its 2020 festival concentrating on the works of Verdi and Beethoven. This season the festival will present a new production of “Don Carlo” directed by Vera Nemirova. Christian Thielemann will conduct the production, which is set to include a new prologue by Manfred Trojan; this in turn will replace the Act one Fontainebleau scene. The cast will include Yusif {…}
We hope that you are set for a great weekend! Here are suggestions for performances to see! Arabella – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Emily Magee stars in Strauss’ operatic gem alongside Tomasz Konieczny, Daniela Fally, and Chen Reiss. Axel Kober conducts the Vienesse score in Sven-Eric Bechtolf’s classic production. La Gioconda – La Monnaie, Belgium Beatrice Uria-Monzon and Hui He share {…}
Th Rossini Opera Festival has announced the complete lineup of the upcoming 2019 editions, The festival will include three opera productions and a number of operatic concerts featuring some of the greatest Rossini singers. Main Stage The festival opens with a new production of “Semiramide” by Graham Vick. Michele Mariotti conducts the production, which stars Salome Jicia in the title {…}
Some reading this review — perhaps many — have never been to the Tanglewood Music Festival in Lenox, Massachusetts. Much more than the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Tanglewood is a magical place; so many thrilling, historical performances and moments have taken place here. And I’ve been lucky to attend many of those performances, such as Seiji Ozawa’s {…}
Since winning the international singing competition ‘As. Li. Co’ in Milan, things have only been on the rise for baritone Franco Vassallo. He’s turned into one of the foremost intepreters of the bel canto repertoire of Donizetti and Bellini, as well as many Verdi, and has sung at La Scala Milan, the Vienna Staatsoper, and the Metropolitan Opera New York. {…}
