(Photo: Tristram Kenton) “Eugene Onegin,” Tchaikovsky’s reworking of Pushkin’s verse novel into seven ‘lyric scenes,’ has not been seen on the Covent Garden stage for nearly a decade. Ted Huffman’s new staging would have been an event for that reason alone, but its significance was underlined by the fact that it sees one of the most striking young directors making {…}
Photo credit: Elisa Haberer / Opéra national de Paris Paris Opera’s production of Charpentier’s “Médée” is not bad, but throughout the performance, operagoers will be filled with a sensation of uneasiness. It is not necessarily because of its murderous plot, but because the production feels unsuited to its musicians. It leaves one with the feeling of wearing a garment lent {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the productions. Verdi’s “Rigoletto” is set to star Igor Golovatenko, Soloman Howard, Javier Camarena, and Mané Galoyan. Enrique Mazzola conducts the production by Director Mary Birnbaum. Performance Dates: Sept. 14-Oct. 6 2024 Elza van den Heever, Russell Thomas, Mika Kares, and Brian Mulligan star in {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week we get a Bel Canto album from a Metropolitan Opera musician, an Italian album by a leading tenor, a rare opera and a a complete performance of one of the great mezzos of our time. Here is a look! Bel Canto: {…}
(Credit: Cory Weaver) San Francisco Opera’s production of “Eugene Onegin” took audiences back in time to the Russia of Alexander Pushkin’s classic poem. Robert Carsen’s scenic rendering gave us a cross-section of the world as it was, with peasants and privileged, the drama of duels, balls, and bedrooms. Spread before the audience, in blush pink and dark blue, peachy yellow {…}
The Canadian Opera Company is set to close its season with “The Magic Flute.” The company’s production will be directed by Canadian director Ashlie Corcoran and will star Turkish-Austrian tenor Ilker Arcayürek in the role of Tamino and Norwegian soprano Caroline Wettergreen as the Queen of the Night. The cast will also include Canadian bass-baritone Gordon Bintner as Papageno, David {…}
Oper Frankfurt has announced its 2021-22 season featuring recitals, new productions and many revivals. Premieres Roland Böer conducts a new production of Handel’s “Amadigi” with Andrea Bernard directing. Performance Dates: Sept. 25-Oct. 7, 2021 G Leo Hussain conducts the new production of Cimarosa’s “L’Italiana in Londra.” R.B. Schlather directs the rarely performed work. Performance Date: Sept. 26-Oct. 30, 2021 Carl {…}
Former vice-president at Columbia Artists, Michael Benchetrit, has struck out on his own, founding Minerva Artists with 15 high-profile artists entrusting their careers to the seasoned agent. Benchetrit was at Columbia for 25 years before the agency shuttered in August. Minerva’s current roster includes sopranos Michelle Bradley, Nicole Cabell, Anna-Sophie Neher, Marjorie Owens, Brenda Rae, and in memoriam, Erin Wall; {…}