The Opéra de Paris has canceled its premiere performance of Bellini’s “Il Pirata” due to the national strike. In a statement the company noted, “The Paris Opera apologizes for this cancellation. Given the right of employees to declare industrial action up until the scheduled performance time, the Opera was not able to inform the audience earlier and apologizes for this {…}
(Credit: Javier del Real) The Teatro Real in Madrid is set to open Bellini’s rare “Il Pirata” on Saturday, Nov. 30. The opera premiered at the Teatro alla Scala in 1827 when the composer was only 26-years-old and became an overnight success. And while Bellini remained at the forefront of Bel Canto for the remainder of his short life, this {…}
(Credit: Javier del Real) Few opera directors have had as much influence as Emilio Sagi. After nearly 40 years, he is not just any other opera director – he is a brand and an icon, his work easily identifiable. He debuted in his native Oviedo with “La Traviata” in 1980 before triumphing in Madrid with “Don Pasquale” in 1982. Since {…}
It’s hard to find the right voice for the Bel Canto repertoire. A great Bel Canto singer needs flexibility, bright high notes, immense breath control, and impeccable phrasing. And of course, a singer needs to have great command of expression, otherwise, the music can easily fall flat. Many singers attempt to put all this together, but few actually have the complete package, {…}
Performances of Bellini’s melodrama, “Il Pirata,” at the Teatro alla Scala have, over the years, been few and far between. Originally written for the theatre in 1827, and starring the celebrated soprano, Henriette Méric-Lalande as Imogene and the famous tenor Giovanni Battista Rubini as Gualtiero, it was roundly deemed to be a success, and quickly received two revivals, one in {…}
Maria Callas is arguably THE greatest opera star in history. Born on Dec. 2, 1923, the Greek singer (who was born in New York City) would become a turning point in the history of the art form, with some going so far as to claim there was a period “Before Callas” and one “After Callas.” Leonard Bernstein called her “The {…}
La Scala’s 2017-18 season was announced on Wednesday. As with every major season announcement, there is no doubt that some productions resonate more than others among the legendary house’s upcoming offerings. Here are our most hotly anticipated productions of 2017-18. Andrea Chénier There is no doubt that anything Anna Netrebko touches these days almost always turns to gold. And we can’t {…}