Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week audiences are in for two full recordings of well-known works with some of the world’s greatest singers. There are also choral recoridngs and some less known works to discover. Heaven to Earth Signum Classics releases Heaven to Earth, a collection of singable, {…}
Ildar Abdrazakov has canceled his upcoming performances with the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. According to Opern News, the bass canceled his three performances of Verdi’s Requiem in February for personal reasons. With these cancelations, Abdrazakov no longer has any Western performances scheduled. He was recently replaced at the Paris Opera in a production of “Don Quichotte” and the Wiener {…}
Ildar Abdrazakov is out of the Opernhaus Zürich and the Wiener Staatsoper. The bass who was originally announced to perform in Zürich in a revival of “L’Italiana in Algeri” starting Dec. 31, 2023 has been replaced by Pietro Spagnoli. Meanwhile, according to Opernnews, the Wiener Staatsoper has announced that it has “mutually agreed with Mr. Abdrazakov” that “there will be {…}
The Opéra de Paris has announced a cast change for its production of “Don Quichotte.” The company said, “Ildar Abdrazakov will not be playing the title role in this season’s new production of ‘Don Quichotte.’” As a result, Christian Van Horn will play the role of Don Quichotte for performances on May 10, 14, 17, 21, 23, 26, and 29, {…}
(Update) Ildar Abdrazakov will perform on Dec. 22, 2023. OperaWire was misinformed and Ravenna Festival has confirmed the participation of Abdrazakov in the gala tongiht. We apologize for the misinformation. Ildar Abdrazakov will be performing on Dec. 22 in the Ravenna Festival’s Verdi Gala conducted by Riccardo Muti. He will join a cast that includes Elisa Balbo, Isabel De Paoli, {…}
Ildar Abdrazakov has appeared on a list of Vladimir Putin’s supporters who nominated the president as an independent candidate for reelection. Per Reuters, according to Russian news agencies, “An initiative group made up of over 700 politicians and figures from the sporting and cultural worlds met on Saturday in Moscow and unanimously endorsed Putin’s nomination as an independent candidate.” In {…}
The Opéra de Monte-Carlo has announced a cast change for its presentation of Verdi’s Requiem. The company said, “We would like to inform you that due to illness Ildar Abdrazakov will be replaced by Erwin Schrott for the Messa da Requiem concert this Thursday, November 2. The Opéra de Monte-Carlo wishes him a speedy recovery and thanks Erwin Schrott who {…}
The Ravenna Festival is set to present “a trilogy according to Riccardo Muti.” From Dec. 16 to 22, Muti will lead his Cherubini Orchestra in the semi-staged performances of “Norma” and “Nabucco” and in an all-Verdi gala at the 19th-century Alighieri Theatre. On Dec. 16 and 19, Muti will conduct Bellini’s “Norma” with Klodjan Kaçani, Vittorio De Campo, Monica Conesa, {…}
Ramon Vargas is set to perform at the VI International Music Festival of Ildar Abdrazakov. The tenor will join Abdrazakov and the soloists of the Marrinsky Theatre on Sept. 25 for the opening night concert that will see the singers perform arias and duets of Russian and foreign composers. The evening will be held at the Mariinsky Theatre II. The {…}
(Credit: Shirley Suarez) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced that John Relyea will take over the role of King Philipp in its upcoming production of “Don Carlo.” The company announced the news days after Ildar Abdrazakov withdrew for personal reasons. In a statement the bass said “I needed to take a break from my schedule and cancel all July shows. Thank {…}
Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov has canceled all remaining July performances. In a statement via social media, “Dear friends, it is with great regret that I have to cancel my participation in the productions of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich: Modest Mussorgsky’s ‘Boris Godunov’ and Giuseppe Verdi’s ‘Don Carlos.’ I needed to take a break from my schedule and cancel {…}