Q & A: Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi on This Year’s Wexford Festival & Productions for the Händel Festival in Göttingen & the Rossini Festival in Pesaro

(Photo: Armati Bacciardi) Over the next few months, OperaWire will be reviewing a number of productions at a variety of festivals across the globe. One name that keeps cropping up, at least in Europe, is that of Rosetta Cucchi. Blessed with a never-ending supply of energy and ideas, she always has one project on the go with others in the {…}

In Less Than Five Minutes, Get To Know Mezzo-soprano Valeria Girardello

(Photo: Felix Grünschloß) OperaWire was fortunate to be present at The International Händel Festspiele in Karlsruhe earlier this month in which we caught a splendid production of the composer’s 1731 opera, “Rinaldo.” Fortunately, we managed a very quick interview with one of its star performers, mezzosoprano Valeria Girardello. OperaWire: What was the first opera you saw? Valeria Girardello: “L’Italiana in {…}

Handel and Haydn Society to Present ‘Messiah,’ Launches ‘CitySing’ Program

The Handel and Haydn Society (H+H) will present Händel’s ‘Messiah’ at Symphony Hall starting on November 29, 2024. The production, which will run through Dec. 1 will feature period instruments and soloists including soprano Jeanine De Bique, countertenor Reginald Mobley, tenor Nicholas Phan, and baritone Sumner Thompson. The company also revealed the introduction of  “CitySing,” a new initiative conceived by {…}

Bach Collegium Japan Continues Annual ‘Messiah’ Tradition at Suntory Hall

With the holiday season returning, the Bach Collegium Japan has announced that it will continue its annual tradition of presenting Händel’s “Messiah” at Suntory Hall on Dec. 24, 2024. The showcase will be conducted once more by Masaaki Suzuki and features soprano Rachel Nicholls, countertenor Alexander Chance, tenor Makato Sakurada, and bass Toru Kaku. Nicholls worked with the Bach Collegium {…}