There are instances in which it’s difficult for opera-lovers to remember “Tosca” is no comedy. From that perspective it is easy to recall the legend of a certain prima donna who once bounced back from the trampoline that was supposed to break her fall as Tosca killed herself. Floria Tosca is not one of opera’s most pitiable characters. She is {…}
“The voice must be heard.” For the last two years, this has been the calling card for the Metropolitan Opera’s marketing department, a call to just come and listen to opera as it is intended to be. An invitation to experience something that can’t be experienced anywhere. For many, that tagline has been particularly emblematic of the vocal wizardry that {…}
Gerald Finley has cancelled his concert at Wigmore Hall. Finley was rushed to the hospital due to appendicitis. The bass-baritone was due to open London’s Wigmore Hall season on Saturday Sept. 9. As a result he will be replaced by tenor Robin Tritschler. The Irish tenor graduated from the Royal Academy of Music and was a BBC New Generation Artist and {…}
Two new releases highlight the week. The first is a controversial production from the Royal Opera House while the other one comes from a historical production from the Deutsche Oper Berlin. And both should be enticing to any opera lover. William Tell Back in 2015, Damiano Micheletto’s production of “Guillaume Tell” opened to outrage and lots of boos at the {…}
The festival season is coming to an end with many performances and productions on their last weekends. That said, the schedule around the world is still slated to feature a ton of major opera stars. Austria The Salzburg Festival is in full swing with Rolando Villazón and Cecilia Bartoli performing on Friday in “Ariodante” and Anna Netrebko and Francesco Meli {…}
This week Aribert Reimann’s “Lear” makes its premiere at the Salzburg Festival in a new production by Simone Stone with Gerald Finley as the title character. The premiere will see Finley in yet another new role as he continues to expand his varied and unique repertoire. For years Finley has been a big proponent of modern and contemporary works, including the {…}
Mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, baritone Gerald Finley, conductor Sir Mark Elder and composer George Benjamin have received high honors from the Queen of England. Connolly, now officially a Dame, was made Commander of the British Empire (CBE) back in 2010. “I felt deeply honored and amazed that anyone would write in on my behalf and nominate me. At first, I thought {…}
This article is a joint collaboration between David & Francisco Salazar. Yesterday we gave you the finest female performers of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2016-17 season. Now we turn toward the men that truly brought down the house. Remember that these picks are mere favorites based purely on personal preference. Since there were so many incredible performers this season, here is {…}
The weekend has a number of operatic classics being offered even though many companies are in the midst of ballet season. Take a look as there is something for everyone. Austria The Vienna State Opera is in Ballet mode but will present Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” with Olga Bezsmertna, Christopher Maltman, Pavol Breslik and Mika Kares. Czech Republic The Prague National Opera {…}
On Thursday, April 13, 2017, the Vienna State Opera is live streaming its current run of Wagner’s “Parsifal.” The Vienna State Opera’s current production of “Parsifal” has garnered strong reviews since it debuted a few weeks ago with Classical Source praising conductor Semyon Bychov for leading “a patient but never dragging interpretation. He and his musicians demonstrated great endurance and {…}
The Royal Opera continues its 2016-17 season with the first revival of David McVicar’s 2010 production of Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur.” The opera will star Angela Gheorghiu, who created the production in 2010 and who has dominated the character for the past six years. Hrachuhi Bassenz will alternate with Gheorghiu in her Royal Opera debut. Brian Jagde will also star as {…}