Ekaterina Semenchuck, Alexey Markov, Ildar Abdrazakov, Hibla Gerzmava & Albina Shagimuratova Line Up for Putin-Funded ‘Stars of the White Nights’

The Mariinsky Theatre has announced the first part of the “Stars of the White Nights: The 30th Mariinsky festival in St Petersburg.” The festival, which is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, is run by fierce Putin supporter Valery Gergiev and usually features several international artists. However, that is not the case this year, as many international {…}

May 5, 2022

Ildar Abdrazakov Cancels ‘Boris Godunov’ at Wiener Staatsoper

The Wiener Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of “Boris Godunov.” The company noted that Alexander Tsymbalyuk will take over the title role replacing Ildar Abdrazakov. Abdrazakov recently canceled a production of “Tosca” at the Teatro Naples noting, “Unfortunately, my mother is unwell and I need to spend time with her and get her the care she {…}

Apr 22, 2022

Aleksandra Kurzak, Ildar Abdrazakov & Amber Wagner Highlight Boston Symphony’s 2022-23 Season

(Credit: Marco Borggreve) The Boston Symphony Orchestra has announced the 2022-3 season. Here is a look at the vocal highlights. Andris Nelsons conducts Janine Jansen and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus in works by Bernstein, Shostakovich, and Ogonek. Performance Dates: Oct. 6-8, 2022 Andris Nelsons conducts Act three of Wagner’s “Tannhäuser” starring Amber Wagner, Klaus Florian Vogt, and Christian Gerhaher. Performance {…}

Apr 8, 2022

Elina Garanča, Brian Jagde, Lisette Oropesa, Luca Salsi & J’Nai Bridges Lead Arena di Verona’s 2022 Season

The Arena di Verona has announced the casting for its 2022 season. The season will open with Bizet’s “Carmen” starring Elina Garanča, Clémentine Margaine, J’Nai Bridges, and Yulia Matochkina in the title role. The cast will also include Karen Gardeazabal, Gilda Fiume, Maria Teresa Leva, Lavinia Bini, Brian Jagde, Vittorio Grigòlo, Roberto Alagna, Luca Micheletti, Gëzim Myshketa, and Claudio Sgura. Performance Dates: June 17-August 27, 2022 Liudmyla Monastyrska, {…}

Mar 30, 2022

Erin Morley, Sasha Cooke & Elliot Madore Lead Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 2022-23 Season

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2022-23 season which will feature Riccardo Muti’s final season as the CSO’s music director. Muti has served as Music Director for 13 years. Here is a look at the vocal performances for the season. Thomas Søndergård conducts a program with music by Stravinsky, Beethoven, and Sibelius with soloist Francesco Piemontesi and Chicago Symphony {…}

Mar 24, 2022

Ildar Abdrazakov to Perform Alongside Yuri Bashmet in Moscow

On April 3, Ildar Abdrazakov will perform a concert alongside Maxim Paster at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow. The concert will be conducted by Yuri Bashmet and will feature Novaya Rossiya State Symphony Orchestra. Abdrazakov who stated on his Instagram, “My Darlings! Looking forward to meeting up” will perform alongside Yuri Bashmet, a past supporter of Putin. In 2014, {…}

Dec 26, 2021

Jongmin Park Replaces Ildar Abdrazakov in Teatro alla Scala’s ‘Macbeth’

(Credit: Staatsoper Unter den Linden official website) The Teatro alla Scala has announced that bass Ildar Abdrazakov will not be appearing in the role of Banquo in the final performance of Verdi’s “Macbeth” scheduled for Dec. 29, 2021. No reason has been given for the cast change. As a result, South Korean bass Jongmin Park will take over the role. {…}

Dec 10, 2021

Jonas Kaufmann, Elīna Garanča, Luca Salsi, Lisette Oropesa, Elena Stikhina, Asmik Grigorian Lead Salzburg Festival’s 2022 Season

(Credit: Anne Zeuner) The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2022 season, featuring eight operas, concerts, and international opera stars. For the purpose of this article we will focus on the vocal works only. Operas The season opens with Romeo Castellucci’s production of Béla Bartók’s “Bluebeard’s Castle.” The opera stars Mika Kares and Aušrinė Stundytė in the lead roles, alongside soprano {…}

Dec 8, 2021

Boris Godunov to Open Teatro alla Scala During 2022-23

The Teatro alla Scala has announced that Mussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov” will open the 2022-23 season. During the opening broadcast, it was announced that Ildar Abdrazakov would be taking on the title role, which he is set to perform in Vienna. The bass recently opened the Teatro alla Scala during the 2018-19 season in a production of “Atilla” and is currently {…}

Dec 6, 2021

Cecilia Bartoli, Piotr Beczala, Ildar Abdrazakov, Maria Agresta & Rolando Villazón Headline Salzburg Whitsun Festival 2022 Season

(Credit: Luigi Caputo) The Salzburg Whitsun Festival has announced its 2022 slate, focusing on the Spanish city of Seville. “There are said to be 153 operas set in and around Seville. It is a city which unites a unique mixture of proud ancient cultures which has generated and inspired incredibly varied music and enchants visitors with its stunningly bright light, {…}

Dec 2, 2021

Ekaterina Semenchuk Replaces Ewa Płonka in Teatro alla Scala’s ‘Macbeth’

(Credit: Alexey Kostromin) Polish soprano Ewa Płonka has withdrawn as the cover for Anna Netrebko’s Lady Macbeth at the Teatro alla Scala’s season opener. Płonka will also not sing the final performance in Verdi’s operatic masterpiece on Dec. 29, 2021. “Friends, due to personal reasons I will not be taking part in Macbeth production this December in La Scala but {…}