Seattle summers are glorious, and Seattle Opera’s sunny production of Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore” made this summer even more so. This tuneful comic diversion, originally mounted at the Santa Fe Opera, had just the right amount of sentimentality to put a smile on your face, and Donizetti’s hummable score goes down as easy as a bowl of pistachio gelato. Leaning into {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has announced a conductor change for its upcoming production of “Un Ballo in Maschera.” The company noted that Maestro Riccardo Chailly is ill and will not be able to rehearse the production. As a result, Nicola Luisotti will replace him for the performances scheduled on May 4, 7, 10, 12, and 14. The last two performances will {…}
The Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège has announced that Giampaolo Bisanti is set to be the company’s next music director. His tenure will kick off at the start of the 2022-23 season and in his new post he will direct several opera productions and concerts every season. He will also preside over auditions for new orchestral and choral musicians. Bisanti debuted {…}
(Credit: Daniil Rabovsky) Russian soprano Elena Stikhina has canceled the concert “The Best of Aida” at the Deutsche Oper Berlin,. As a result, Swedish soprano Christina Nilsson will perform in her stead. Nilsson recently took home the third prize at the Operalia competition and first prize at the Renata Tebaldi Vocal Competition. She has performed the role of Elsa von {…}
(Photo Credit: Wiener Staatsoper/Giampaolo Maria Bisanti) Conductor Andrea Battistoni has withdrawn from the production of Puccini, Giacosa and Illica’s “Tosca” at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich due to illness. As a result, Giampaolo Bisanti will conduct in his stead for performances on Feb. 17 & 20, 2020. Bisanti will lead the cast that includes Anja Harteros in the title role, {…}