(Photo: Brescia e Amisano © Teatro all Scala) Austrian writer Hugo von Hofmannsthal confessed that he drew inspiration for “Der Rosenkavalier’s” libretto from Molière’s comedies, weaving them together with the roles of Italian commedia dell’arte. He wrote, “The characters were there, performing right in front of us: the Buffoon, the Old Man, the Young Man, the Lady, the Cherubino… Each {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced a slate of Livestreams for October through December. The first stream of the season will be “Fin de Partie” by György Kurtág. Simone Young conducts the cast which includes Georg Nigl, Charles Workman, Hilary Summers, and Philippe Sly. Livestream Date: Oct. 19, 2024 The second stream of the season will be Britten’s “Billy Budd” starring {…}
(Credit: Askonas Holt) Günther Groissböck has joined the roster of Askonas Holt for worldwide management. The bass will be represented by Angelica Conner. Last season Groissböck performed at Carnegie Hall and Tanglewood with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and also performed with the Wiener Philharmoniker. This season he sings in productions of “Der Rosenkavalier” and “Die Walküre” at the Teatro alla {…}
Deutsche Grammophon’s Stage + is set to present Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” from the Bayreuth Festival. The stream will continue the partnership between Deutsche Grammophon and the Bayreuth Festival and showcase a new production by Thorleifur Örn Arnarsson. Semyon Bychkov conducts a cast that includes Andreas Schager, Günther Groissböck, Camilla Nylund, Olafur Sigurdarson, Birger Radde, Ekaterina Gubanova, Daniel Jenz, Lawson Anderson, and Matthew Newlin. The opera will be {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera Josep Pons conducts Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” with Alexei Botnarciuc, Daniel Kirch, Sara Jakubiak, Ángeles Blancas, and Pavel Černoch. Àlex Ollé conducts. Performance Date: Sept. 25-Oct. 7, 2024 Maria Agresta and Saioa Hernández star in Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” with Artur Ruciński, Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Brian {…}
Photo: Winslow Townson The first time my partner watched Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk,” he couldn’t believe that the composer ever thought a Stalinist regime would be pleased with the opera. The “in-your-face” power of the work made him—a (handsome) man whose political convictions ponder between socialism and cowboyism—find endearing that ‘Shosta’ could not see his censoring coming. Even today, {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has announced its 2024 season. The festival will open with Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” starring Andreas Schager, Günther Groissböck, Camilla Nylund, Olafur Sigurdarson, Birger Radde, and Ekaterina Gubanova. Semyon Bychkov conducts the production by Thorleifur Örn Arnarsson. Performance Dates: July 25-August 26 2024 Günther Groissböck, Klaus Florian Vogt, Markus Eiche, Olafur Sigurdarson, Jens-Erik Aasbø, and Elisabeth Teige {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has announced a cast change for two productions. The company said that due to health reasons Dmitry Belosselskiy has canceled his participation in the festival. As a result, Mika Kares will take over the role of Hagen in the “Götterdämmerung” and Günther Groissböck in the role of Landgrave Hermann in the “Tannhäuser.” Kares will make his debut {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced the 2023-24 season featuring new productions, revivals, and concerts. Premieres The company will showcase Tatjana Gürbaca’s production of “Il Trittico.” For “Il Tabarro,” audiences will hear Carlos Álvarez, Anja Kampe, and Joshua Guerrero. Headlining “Suor Angelica” will be Eleonora Buratto and Michaela Schuster. Finally, for “Gianni Schicchi,” the headliners including Carlos Álvarez, Serena Sáenz, Michaela {…}
The Wigmore Hall has announced its 2023-24 season headlining some of the greatest recitalists and vocalist in the world. Opera Rara: present Donizetti and Friends with Lawrence Brownlee, Etienne Dupuis, and Carlo Rizzi. Performance Date: Sept. 9, 2023 Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas perform Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky. Performance Date: Sept. 9, 2023 Ensemble Modern and George Benjamin perform music by {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard) Over the past few seasons, few artists have gotten as much buzz as soprano Lise Davidsen. She’s been called “A Voice in a Million” by none other than Antonio Pappano and she’s become a major Met fixture, garnering top billing in numerous Strauss operas over the past few seasons. Perhaps none came with greater than anticipation than {…}