Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – International (6/8-10): Klaus Florian Vogt, Francesco Meli & Elza Van Heever To Star This Weekend

This will be a weekend of new productions, closing nights, and role debuts. Two major stars return to signature roles while one rising star takes on her first Wagner role. Then there are two bel canto favorites and some verismo. Here is a look. Ernani – Opera de Marseille, France  Francesco Meli takes on the title role in Verdi’s early work {…}

Metropolitan Opera 2017-18 Review – Madama Butterfly: Hui He Leads Classic Anthony Minghella Production In Memorable Night

The beauty of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” could render any critique almost unseemly. After all, to hear that seamless music, the moments that turn transcendent — and then to cavil? I’d suggest that even a modest performance, say, even in the dense rainforest (echoing, of course, Werner Herzog’s “Ftizcarraldo”) would still, inevitably, move one. The score simply flows, with audience and performers {…}

Weekend Preview – International (8/25-27): Krassimira Stoyanova and Juan Diego Flórez Star in ‘Lucrezia Borgia’

This weekend the Salzburg Festival, the Arena di Verona, and the Edinburgh Festival  see their respective seasons come to an end. But before they end, there are still must see performances. Argentina  At the Teatro Colón, Kurt Weill’s “Rise and Fall of The City of Mahagonny” gets its second and third performances with Iris Vermillion and Alejandra Malvino alternating the role of Leokadja. Austria  The {…}

Weekend Preview – International (8/11-13): Jonas Kaufmann, Plácido Domingo & Anna Netrebko Headline Festivals

It’s a star-studded weekend with Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko, Sonya Yoncheva, Plácido Domingo, and Nino Machaidze headlining major concerts and productions around the world. Find out where you can catch them this weekend right here. Australia Jonas Kaufmann returns to Australia for a run of Wagner’s “Parsifal” at the Sydney Opera House with Michelle DeYoung. Verdi’s Requiem will also get {…}

Opera de Marseille 2017-18 Season To Include Roberto Alagna, Francsco Meli & Clémentine Margaine

The Opera de Marseille has announced its 2017-18 season. It all begins with David Alagna’s “Le dernier jour d’un condamné.” Conducted by Jean-Yves Ossonce in a production by  Nadine Duffaut, the opera will star Adina Aaron and Roberto Alagna. The opera will be presented three times starting on Sept. 28, 2017. Gaetano Donizetti’s “La Favorite” will be presented on Oct. 13, {…}