This week audiences will be able to stream three new opera recordings, a highly anticipated versimo album, a new solo album, and a new DVD of one of last summer’s highly acclaimed productions. Here is a look. Gunther Schuller: The Fisherman and His Wife BMOP/sound has released Gunther Schuller’s “The Fisherman and His Wife” led by conductor Gil Rose and {…}
This weekend is Valentine’s Day so we tried to choose works with great love stories. Here are this weekend’s top five operas to see! Don Carlos – Opera Royal de Wallonie, Belgium Gregory Kunde sings the final performance of Verdi’s epic in the title role. He is joined by Ildebrando D’Arcangelo, Kate Aldrich, Lionel Lhote, and Roberto Scandiuzzi. Paolo Arrivabeni {…}
(Credit: Opera Australia) Italian bass Ildebrando D’Arcangelo will no longer be performing in the Staatsoper unter der Linden Berlin’s production of “Carmen,” per the official statement on the company’s website. As a result, baritone Lucio Gallo will take over the full run. Gallo will join a cast that includes Michael Fabiano in the role of Don José, Christiane Karg in {…}
The LA Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring a number of Main stage productions, of grand and community events. Here is a look at what the ambitious season is set to showcase. Main Stage The season opens with Verdi and Cammarano’s “Il Trovatore” starring Angel Blue in her role debut as Leonora and Gregory Kunde in his LA Opera {…}
(Photo: Cory Weaver) Having already seen Los Angeles Opera’s 2013 co-production with Berlin’s Komische Oper and live-animation company 1927 of “The Magic Flute,” it was impossible not to look forward to its return this season at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Saturday night, November 16th. It was not disappointing in the least, but ultimately a very different experience. Much of {…}
The Royal Opera will make a return to Japan during the 2019-20 season. The company will perform two classic works of the standard repertory including Verdi’s “Otello” and Gounod’s “Faust.” Antonio Pappano will conduct all of the performances. “Faust” will open on tour on Sept. 12, 2019 and will feature tenor Vittorio Grigòlo in the title role. He will be {…}
When the the Gran Teatre del Liceu announced that legendary octogenarian Italian regista Pier Luigi Pizzi would be directing a new production of “La Gioconda” with Iréne Theorin making her title role debut, it was on paper at least, a must-see event. Unfortunately the parchment tended to perforate even before the prima when the celebrated Swedish diva canceled and second-cast {…}
Five new Cds and DVDs are set for releases this week. Audiences will get a chance to hear a solo album debut, two rarely performed operas, and two crossover CDs. Here is a look! Attila Verdi’s “Attila”‘ from the Teatro Comunale gets a release on C major. The January 2016 by Daniele Abbado, stars Maria José Siri, Ildebrando d’Arcangelo in {…}
May 1, 1786. That is the day that, for many, the greatest opera of all-time had its very first performance. “Le Nozze di Figaro” has held the stage ever since, performed by all the great interpreters all over the world. The work has also developed a healthy discography over the ages both on audio and visual media, making it impossible {…}
The Opera Royal de Wallonie-Liege has announced its 2019-20 season featuring nine operas, six of which are new productions. Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” opens the season in a new production by Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera. Two casts will be led under the baton of Speranza Scappucci, featuring Svetlana Aksenova and Yasko Sato sharing the title role, Alexey Dolgov and Dominick Chenes {…}
The Zurich Opera has announced its 2019-20 season which will feature a whopping 11 opera premieres and 17 opera revivals. Premieres “The Makropulos Case” will be the first offering of the season with Evelyn Herlitzius starring as Emilia Marty. Other cast members will include Sam Furness, Kevin Conners, Deniz Uzun, Scott Hendricks, and Spencer Lang, among others. Dmitri Tcherniakov will direct while {…}