(Photo: Amati Bacciardi) In 1822, Rossini’s opera “Zelmira” premiered at Naples’ Teatro San Carlo to widespread acclaim and was quickly taken up by theaters across Europe, including Vienna, London and Paris. However, like most of the composer’s works, it quickly fell by the wayside and had to wait for over 100 years to be revived, with a performance in 1965 {…}
Full disclosure: my definition of purgatory is a Christof Loy opera staging. They are not infernal—there is always some redemption—and they used to be good. But now, they are definitely not for me. That mono-scenario, that preference for milk-aisle lighting and the somewhat surreal stagings. I get it, some people might like it. I am even friends with some of {…}
(Photo: ©2025 Camilla Greenwell) I have been somewhat critical in the past of Adele Thomas’ staging of one of Verdi’s most potent works. With its painfully dark tale told in a rather insidious manner, employing the use of creepy props and actors infused with more than a generous helping of Hieronymus Bosch influence; alas, perplexingly, this time round it kind {…}
The Spanish opera coliseum presented a new production of Rossini’s opera buffa, “Il turco in Italia,” signed by Laurent Pelly. There were two different casts and three different sopranos for the leading role, performing in the ten performances planned. But superstar Lisette Oropesa, was sick and had to cancel opening night. In this case, the fantastic Spanish soprano, Sara Blanch, {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced that Giacomo Sagripanti will conduct some performances of “Tosca.” The company said that due Maestro Henrik Nánási has suffered an injury to his left shoulder and, in order not to burden it, Sagripanti will take over the performances on Jan. 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 17, and 20. Nánási will still conduct performances {…}
Tbilisi Opera and Orchestra has announced that Giacomo Sagripanti has been appointed as their new music director. Currently the Principal Guest Conductor at the Fondazione Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari, Sagripanti received international acclaim in 2016 when he was named “Young Conductor of the Year” at the International Opera Awards. Since then, he has appeared with companies such as Semperoper Dresden, {…}
(Credit: © 2022 ROH. Bill Cooper) Damiano Michieletto’s new production of Gaetano Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” first hit the Royal Opera House stage in 2019, and now finds itself revived by Daniel Dooner. It’s a taut and challenging production of a work whose petty cruelties and incipient viciousness tend to be smoothed out by caricature, slapstick, and the desire to give {…}
(Photo: Amati Bacciadi) Rossini’s opera “Moïse et Pharaon” was premiered at the Paris Opera in 1827. Although it is based on his opera “Mosè in Egitto,” written for Naples’ Teatro di San Carlo in 1818, it is largely a new work with significant differences. The libretto, rewritten by Luigi Balocchi and Etienne de Jouy, altered the dramatic structure, for which {…}
(Credit: Wiener Staatsoper) The Wiener Staatsoper has announced multiple cast changes for its incoming performances. Evelino Pidò will take over the musical direction of Donizetti’s “La Fille du régiment” on Sep. 30, 2020, replacing Giacomo Sagripanti. Pidò will lead the cast that includes Jane Archibald in the role of Marie, Javier Camarena as Tonio, Carlos Álvarez in the role of {…}