Anna Denisova, Patrick Terry & Brindley Sherratt Lead Opera North 2020-21 Season

(Image Source: Opera North Facebook Page) Opera North has just announced its 2020-21 Season, featuring seven operas. Performance venues include the Leeds Grand Theatre, Theatre Royal Newcastle, The Lowry, and the Theatre Royal Nottingham for the first six operas. “Parsifal” will be performed at the Leeds Town Hall, Bridgewater Hall Manchester, Royal Concert Hall Nottingham, Sage Gateshead, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, {…}

Feb 18, 2020

Mesa Arts Center 2020 Review: Renée Fleming in Recital

(Credit: Timothy White for Decca) Wearing a shiny taupe gown that reflected minimized images of the lights above, soprano Renée Fleming and pianist Gerald Martin Moore entered to applause that showed they have fans in this desert city. They opened with a Valentine befitting February 14th: George Frideric Handel’s enticing “Bel Piacere è Godere.” Fleming followed its fast, tricky coloratura {…}

Feb 13, 2020

Alexis Rose to Stormy Daniels – How Brenda Rae Draws from Contemporary References in ‘Agrippina’

Debuting at the Metropolitan Opera is a hard gig to come by, especially when it’s a principal role in a new production in an opera that’s never even been performed on the Met stage. But after a decade of singing leading roles all over the world, American soprano Brenda Rae is readier than ever to tackle New York’s biggest stage, {…}

Feb 10, 2020

Sydney Mancasola Takes Over Händel’s ‘Jephtha’ at Komische Oper Berlin

(Credit: Kristin Hoebermann) Sydney Mancasola has replaced soprano Anna Devin for the initial five performances of Händel’s oratorio “Jephtha” at the Komische Oper Berlin. Mancasola will perform the role of Iphis on May 17, 21, 31, June 5 and 13, 2020. The American soprano recently performed the title role in Händel’s oratorio “Semele” at the Komische Oper Berlin, the role {…}

Feb 7, 2020

Metropolitan Opera 2019-20 Review: Agrippina

(Credit: Marty Sohl / Metropolitan Opera) The operas of Handel are not necessarily standards at the Metropolitan Opera. And to a certain extent, that is understandable. They are rather expansive in runtime with ample casts and a musical style that doesn’t always suit the cavernous hall. But the reality is that these operas, while dating to the 18th century, are {…}

Feb 4, 2020

Metropolitan Opera 2019-20 Preview: The History of Handel’s Operas On NYC’s Iconic Stage

(Credit: Marty Sohl / Metropolitan Opera) The Met has a long, celebrated history with the works of Verdi, Puccini, and Mozart. But not so much with Baroque composers. In the Met’s 140-year history, the company has only presented four operas by Handel (four and a half, if you count the pastiche “The Enchanted Island”). But that’s all slowly changing. The {…}

Feb 3, 2020

Artist Of The Week: Brenda Rae

(Credit: Marty Sohl/Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera House is a dream for every opera singer. This week acclaimed coloratura soprano and rising star Brenda Rae will get a chance to realize that very dream when she makes her Met debut in the company’s first-ever production of Handel and Grimani’s “Agrippina.” Rae, who is a former ensemble member of Oper Frankfurt {…}

Jan 31, 2020

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale 2020 Review: Aci, Galatea e Polifemo

(Credit: Frank Wing) “Aci, Galatea e Polifemo” is probably not one of those Handel works that you remember prominently. But it can definitely be among the most memorable when produced with the passion on display in San Francisco recently. Under Nicholas McGegan’s expert baton, the Philharmonia Baroque Chamber Players’ and producers Anthony Roth Costanzo and Cath Brittan and Brooklyn’s National {…}

Jan 17, 2020

Marie-Nicole Lemieux to Headline Orchestra of St. Luke’s ‘Handel & Vivaldi’ Concert

The Orchestra of St. Luke’s is set to kick off its 2020 winter-spring season with a performance at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 6, 2020. The concert, entitled “Handel & Vivaldi: Rare Works for Double Orchestra” will be led by conductor Bernard Labadie and will feature contralto Marie-Nicole Lemieux and violinist Daniel Hope as the major soloiss. Lemieux will perform “Salve {…}

Jan 16, 2020

Layla Claire, Paula Murrihy To Star in Boston Baroque’s ‘Ariodante’

(Credit: Lisa-Marie-Mazzucco) Boston Baroque is set to present Handel’s “Ariodante” on April 24 and 25, 2020. The performance, which will take place at the New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, will be led by mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy in the title role with soprano Layla Claire performing for the first time as Ginerva; Claire is replacing Kiera Duffy, who withdrew from the {…}

Dec 24, 2019

Handel + Haydn Society To Present ‘Mozart + Haydn’ This January

The Handel + Haydn Society is set to showcase “Mozart + Haydn” on Jan. 24 and 26, 2020 at Symphony Hall Boston. The performance will showcase the Lord Nelson Mass under the musical direction of Harry Christopher. The mass has been called Haydn’s single most essential composition. “Lord Nelson Mass captures the swirling turmoil and drama of Napoleon’s wartime invasions that {…}

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