On Sept. 13, Gundula Janowitz and Seji Ozawa will receive honors from the Österreichischer Musiktheaterpreis. The awards will be given to the two legendary performers in Grafenegg. Janowitz will be recognized for her career while Ozawa will receive an award for his international cultural compromise and for his service to music. Piotr Beczala will be at the gala to perform {…}
May 1, 1786. That is the day that, for many, the greatest opera of all-time had its very first performance. “Le Nozze di Figaro” has held the stage ever since, performed by all the great interpreters all over the world. The work has also developed a healthy discography over the ages both on audio and visual media, making it impossible {…}
Gundula Janowitz is a soprano who dominated a wide range of repertoire. Born on August 2, 1937, in Berlin, she would become a naturalized Austrian. She studied in her hometown of Graz and was already singing at a high level in her 20s. In 1959, she was engaged by Herbert Von Karajan to sing in “Le Nozze di Figaro,” the {…}
Gundula Janowitz, born on August 2, 1937, is one of the most famous sopranos of the 20th century, spanning a wide range of German repertoire and making her name well-regarded in oratorios, lieder, and other concerts. While she had a major association with a wide range of great conductors and the greatest opera houses in the world, there is one {…}
Carl Maria von Weber wrote a number of operas, but only a select few have made it into the books of posterity. Shining brightest above these is “Der Freischütz,” the opera that had such a massive effect on the young Richard Wagner. The opera had its premiere on June 18, 1821, and has had a mixed life in the repertoire. {…}
Ludwig Van Beethoven turned 246 on Friday, Dec. 16. Upon his death in 1827, the composer left behind veritable masterpieces of classical music. His most famous works are his nine symphonies, his piano sonatas and concertos and his string quartets. There was also one opera, “Fidelio.” The composer is said to have struggled to create this singular work, creating three {…}
