The International Opera Awards have announced the nominees for its 2020 Awards. The annual event, which celebrates achievement in opera around the globe over the 2019 calendar year, recognizes excellence in a wide range of categories that cover performance, design and direction, as well as education and outreach. This year, two opera companies topped the 2020 nominees with three a {…}
Europe dominates this weekend’s operas to see, but we also have a major recommendation over in Muscat where a noted diva will take on an iconic bel canto role. Here are the operas we think you need to see this weekend. Le Nozze di Figaro – Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, France Acclaimed filmmaker James Gray makes his opera debut directing Mozart’s {…}
This week, three full recordings of popular operas will be released as well as a debut album by one of the most sought-out countertenors in the world. Winterreise Berlin Classics releases Schubert’s song cycle with Xavier Sabata and pianist Francisco Poyato. The debut album for Sabata, who is known for his work in Baroque repertory, makes a unique left turn {…}
Many companies will celebrate Verdi’s birthday this weekend. There will also be a number of baroque selections and two intriguing new productions of rarely performed works. Here are our recommendations for this weekend. Giovanna d’Arco – La Monnaie, Belgium In celebration of Verdi’s birthday, the Belgium theater presents a concert performance of Verdi’s popular early work. Salome Jicia takes on {…}
Prima Classic has announced a new recording of Verdi’s “La Traviata.” The company announced that on Nov. 1, 2019, it will release its first complete opera recording. “La Traviata” will star Marina Rebeka, Charles Castronovo, and George Petean and will be conducted by Michael Balke. They will be joined by the Latvian Festival Orchestra and State Choir Latvia. The new {…}
(Photo credit: Khalid AlBusaidi / ROHM) This review is for performances on Sept. 11 and 14, 2019. Writing a review after an initial performance of any run is a challenging proposition. You are essentially recording your views on a first impression without really getting a chance to see the full picture. There are many reasons why this is the case, {…}
The Royal Opera Muscat has announced its 2019-20 Season. Bizet’s “Carmen” opens the Royal Opera Muscat season with José Cura in the role of Don José, Elena Maximova in the title role, Anita Hartig as Micaëla and George Petean in the role of Escamillo. The Teatro Colón Buenos Aires travels with conductor Antonello Allemandi. Performance Dates: Sept. 11-14, 2019 Celso Albelo {…}
(Credit: Wilfried Hösl) It is a magical moment when the finest singers in the world, along with strong musical guidance and with a meaningful dramatic production are combined together. That is exactly what happened on the evening of the June 9, 2019, when the Bayeriche Staatsoper revived Barbara Wysocka’s production of “Lucia di Lammermoor” with the “Bel canto couple” of the moment: {…}
Quinn Kelsey has canceled his debut at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor.” The baritone announced via Instagram that due to a minor surgery after suffering an infection in the abdomen, he was forced to cancel his debut. As a result, George Petean will replace Kelsey in the role of Enrico. Petean will join Pretty Yende, Javier Camarena, and {…}
Audiences worldwide will get a chance to see the Vienna State Opera’s production of “Macbeth” on May 14, 2019 via the company’s live streaming service. The Verdi tragedy will be conducted by James Conlon with a cast that includes George Petean in the title role and Tatiana Serjan as his wife. Ferruccio Furlanetto takes on the role of Banco with {…}
The Vienna State Opera has announced its 2019-20 season, which includes six new productions and a whopping 58 operas overall. There are also a plethora of concert performances as well featuring some of the greatest opera stars on the planet. New Productions The new season kicks off with a new production of Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Directed by Irina {…}