Photo credit: © Philippe Delval / théâtre de Caen Charpentier’s “David et Jonathas” is a forgotten gem. The French composer was an expert in dramatic pace. His operas flow as normal plays do. The singing line hardly distorts the text, making the watching experience extremely accessible even for intermediate French speakers. Moreover, in “David et Jonathas” we find some of {…}
(Credit: Opéra National de Lorraine) Opéra National de Lorraine in Nancy, France has announced its 2021-22 season. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on the vocal works only. Opera Rossi’s “Le Palais Enchanté” opens the season. The opera spotlights Victor Sicard as Orlando, Arianna Vendittelli as Angelica/Alceste, Fabio Trümpy as Ruggiero, and Mark Milhofer as Atlante. The {…}
(Credit: EPV / Christian Millet) Opéra Royal de Versailles has announced its 2021-22 season, featuring number of rarely performed operas and vocal works. Here is the full slate. Opera André Grétry’s opera “Richard Cœur de Lion” features Rémy Mathieu as Blondel and Pierre Derhet in the title role. The cast will be rounded out by Melody Louledjian, Marie Perbost Antonio, {…}
Radio France has announced its 2021-22 season. For the purpose of this article we will focus only on the vocal works. Here is a look. Operas Ravel’s “L’Enfant et les sortilèges” spotlights Jodie Devos, Clara Guillon, Adèle Charvet, Marie Lenormand, Élodie Méchain, Antoine Normand, Régis Mengus, and Paul Gay. Mikko Franck conducts. Performance date: Oct. 1, 2021, Philharmonie de Paris {…}
(Credits: Gregor Hohenberg/Sony Music / Brennecke Art official website / Franck Juery / Alpha Classics / Operabase official website) Opéra de Massy in France has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is the full slate. Operas Bizet‘s “Carmen” opens the season. Thomas Bettinger performs Don José, Christian Helmer portrays Escamillo, and Ahlima Mhamdi takes on the title role. The cast also {…}
(Credits: © Julian Laidig / © Capucine de Chocqueuse / Justin Hyer / Giulia Papetti) The Festival international d’Opéra Baroque & Romantique Beaune has announced its 2021 program, consisting of seven operas and oratorios, and four recitals. The festival will take place from July 9 until July 31, 2021. Operas & Oratorios Mozart‘s rarely performed operatic masterwork “Lucio Silla” will {…}
It turns out that despite some progress, we are in for a sustained lockdown period to start 2021. But what we are also seeing from opera companies is greater flexibility and creativity on the streaming front. That is on full display in this week’s edition of our top 10 operas to stream with a bevy of new short opera films, {…}
(Credit: © Axelle Paysant-Le Roux) The Opéra Comique has announced that it will stream a production of Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville’s opera “Titon et l’Aurore.” The opera was scheduled for five presentations from Jan. 18 – Jan. 27, 2021, but had to be canceled due to the French government’s COVID-19 regulations. The opera will star Reinoud Van Mechelen, Gwendoline Blondeel, {…}
(Credits: Todd Rosenberg / © Marco Borrelli / OnP / Sarah Bousasse) L’Opéra Comique in Paris has announced its 2021 season. Here is the full slate. Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville’s “Titon et l’Aurore” will feature Reinoud Van Mechelen, Gwendoline Blondeel, Julie Roset, Emmanuelle de Negri, Marc Mauillon, and Renato Dolcini. William Christie will conduct the production by Basil Twist. The performances {…}