(Credit: Keith Saunders) It was commissioned by and premiered at the Glyndebourne Festival in 2017. Then new cities followed suit every year (apart from the horrid COVID-infected era): Adelaide Festival (2018), a new production in Cologne, Germany (2019), the massive success at the Metropolitan Opera of New York (2022) and the Bavarian State Opera in München (2023). Finally, after seven {…}
(Credit: Richard Hubert Smith) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced cast changes for its production of Brett Dean’s “Hamlet” on July 12, 2023. The company said that bass Joshua Bloom is replacing Sir John Tomlinson in the role of The Ghost of Old Hamlet/Player King/Gravedigger while David Butt Philip will replace Allan Clayton in the title role. Bloom previously sang the {…}
(Credit: Monika Rittershaus) Thomas‘ “Hamlet” is not listed under the genre Grand Opéra without reason. It features opulent music, a large chorus, a sturdy length (a good three hours plus intermission), and the need for truly excellent leading actors. The Komische Oper Berlin, together with the team of conductor Marie Jacquot and stage director Nadja Loschky, took up this challenge. {…}
Photo: Bernd-Uhlig-OnP On Mar. 11, 2023, Paris Opera premiered a new production of Thomas’s “Hamlet” at the giant opera colosseum, La Bastille. “Hamlet” premiered at Paris Opera, then known as Académie Impériale de Musique, in 1868, with immense success. One year later, the opera was presented in London with an alternative ending where the hero, Hamlet, dies, changing Shakespeare’s original {…}
This week, baritone Jacques Imbrailo returns to the title role of “Don Giovanni” for his big debut at Ópera de Oviedo. The South African singer has performed the iconic role throughout his career with such companies the Perm Opera and Scottish Opera, among others. But his “Don Giovanni” isn’t the only thing he has in store for this coming season. {…}
PBS has announced that it will begin broadcasting the Metropolitan Opera’s performance of “Hamlet” on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. It will then be available for viewing in the New York Metro area on Nov. 13, 2022, on THIRTEEN. The opera by Brett Dean stars Allan Clayton, Sarah Connolly, Rod Gilfry, Brenda Rae, and conductor Nicholas Carter. Neil Armfield directed. Of {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced cast changes for its production of “Hamlet.” The company noted that due to COVID-19, Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and Christopher Lowrey have canceled their performances on May 18 and 21. As a result, Daniel Moody will sing the role of Rosencrantz and Eric Jurenas will sing the role of Guildenstern. Moody has performed at the Cincinnati Opera, {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond / Met Opera) Back in 2017, The Guardian meditated on why, despite being one of the world’s greatest plays, “Hamlet” had no great corresponding operatic adaptation. The article notes that despite there being about 40 actual operatic adaptations, none have stood the test of time or held the stage. Perhaps the lone work with staying power is {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera will premiere Brett Dean and Matthew Jocelyn’s “Hamlet” on May 13, 2022. The opera, which will be directed by Neil Armfield, will star tenor Allan Clayton, soprano Brenda Rae, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, baritone Rod Gilfry, bass-baritone John Relyea, countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, countertenor Christopher Loerey, and baritones Jacques Imbrailo, David Butt Philip {…}
“Works & Process,” the performing arts series at the Guggenheim, has announced the spring 2022 season. Here is a look at the operatic workshops that the Guggenheim will offer. The Washington National Opera will present “Written in Stone” with Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang, and Kamala Sankaram and A.M. Homes. The work is inspired by iconic monuments in Washington, {…}
(Credit: © Julia Lamoureux) Opéra Comique in Paris has announced its 2022 season, featuring seven operas. Here is the full slate. Ambroise Thomas’ “Hamlet” opens the season with Sabine Devieilhe as Ophélie and Stéphane Degout in the title role. The cast also includes Laurent Alvaro, Sylvie Brunet-Grupposo, Pierre Derhet, Jérôme Varnier, Yu Shao, Geoffroy Buffière, and Nicolas Legoux. Louis Langrée {…}