Peter Gelb is responding to Ildar Abdrazakov’s comment regarding neutrality and pausing his relationship with the Metropolitan Opera. In a recent interview with the associated press, the Met General Manager said, “My response is they chose a side and they chose the wrong side. I feel sorry that he like many other Russians are so misinformed and doesn’t really understand what’s {…}
Update: Ildar Abdrazakov has released a statement regarding his cancelation at La Scala. He said, “Dear friends, With a heavy heart I have to inform about my withdrawal from the production of Offenbach’s “Les contes of Hoffman” at Teatro alla Scala. My schedule is formed a few years in advance, but life makes it’s adjustments and unfortunately I ought to {…}
Ildar Abdrazakov is speaking out against the Metropolitan Opera after General Manager fired Anna Netrebko and Hibla Gerzmava. In a new interview, the Russian bass disclosed that he has paused his relationship with the Metropolitan Opera. He said, “I just paused my relationship with the Metropolitan Opera myself: I canceled participation in Verdi’s ‘La Forza del Destino’ and Gounod’s ‘Roméo {…}
With multiple opera houses ousting alleged Putin supporters, Ildar Abdrazakov has seemed to go under the radar for his ties to Putin. In a new article released by OpernNews, the publication details Abdrazakov’s work in Russia during the war. According to the Austrian paper, the bass performed at the Classics at the Palace Square in St. Petersburg alongside Italian tenor {…}
“I believe that art should always be distinguished from politics, otherwise, we shouldn’t have to read Dostoevsky,” Gennaro Sangiuliano, the Culture Minister of Italy. And for this, Italy stands. This October, La Scala confirmed “Boris Godunov” for the season opener and instantly received a letter asking the company to rethink its 2022-23 season. The letter was sent by Ukrainian citizens {…}
Opera Monte Carlo has announced its 2023 season featuring many of the greatest artists of our time. Cecilia Bartoli stars in Handel’s “Alcina” with Philippe Jarroussky, Sandrine Piau, Varduhi Abrahamyan, Maxim Mironov, and Peter Kalman. Gianluca Capuano conducts the production by Christof Loy. Performance Dates: Jan. 20-26, 2023 Gianluca Capuano conducts Rossini’s “Stabat Mater” with Maria Agresta, Varduhi Abrahamyan, Celso {…}
This week audiences will get to discover recordings of unknown pieces, new composers, and by one by the great bass-baritones in operatic history. Here is a look at the new recordings. Gathering The new album features stirring and varied songs by American composer Ben Moore, written over a period of some 30 years and ranging from modern art songs to {…}
The Teatro San Carlo has announced its 2022-23 season. Here is a look at the performances. Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “Don Carlo” starring Matthew Polezani, Ernesto Petti, Ailyn Perez, Michele Pertusi, Elina Garanca, and Alexander Tsymbalyuk. Juraj Valcuha conducts the production by Claus Guth. Performance Dates: Nov. 26-Dec. 6, 2022 Lorezno Passarini conducts concert performances of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” {…}
(Credit: Brescia Amisano / Teatro alla Scala) The Teatro alla Scala has announced its 2022-23 Season featuring opera, recitals, and symphony concerts. Opera The season opens with Mussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov.” The production will be directed by Kasper Holten and conducted by Riccardo Chailly. The work will star Ildar Abdrazakov, Lilly Jørstad, Anna Denisova, Agnieszka Rehlis, Norbert Ernst, Alexey Markov, Ain {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of “Il Turco in Italia.” The company noted that Ildebrando D’Arcangelo will replace Ildar Abdrazakov in the role of Selim. Additionally, Abdrazakov will no longer sing in the Rossini-Gala on July 8. This is the latest cancelation for Abdrazakov as early this year announced he would cancel his role debut {…}
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 {…}