(Credit: Johannes Ifkovits) Opernhaus Zürich has announced a cast change to its upcoming production of Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor.” The company announced that Irina Lungu will sing the title role, replacing Lisette Oropesa, who was originally scheduled to perform. Lungu will star alongside Piotr Beczala, Massimo Cavalletti, and Oleg Tsibulko. Speranza Scapucci is set to conduct the production which will {…}
Opus Arte, the label which records the performances of The Royal Opera House, has released the second recording of Sir David McVicar’s production of “Faust” (the first DVD was released in 2010 from the premiere of this production in 2004). The production, from 2018, features a luxury cast of singers in what is probably the best production of “Faust” in {…}
This week, audiences can listen and watch three classic works with stellar casts. They will also get a chance to check out a new album by one of the most innovative performers of his generation. Here is a look at this week’s new releases. On Broadway Broadway and Opera star Zachary James brings his award-winning cabaret show is set to {…}
The COVID-19 crisis has led to the cancelation of major productions leaving many artists out of work and giving them openings in their usually booked calendars. As a result, the Opera de Oviedo managed to engage acclaimed bel canto tenor John Osborn after the cancelation of two other tenors. It is hard to write about “I Puritani” without talking about {…}
The New National Theatre, Tokyo has announced its 2020-21 season. The season will open with Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in a production by Sir David McVicar. Per the company’s official website, the production will be modified into “A New Normal” style which will include social distancing protocols for artists. The opera will star Daichi Fujiki as Oberon, Kerstin Avemo {…}
(Credit: Victor Santiago) The Teatro Antica di Taormina has announced its 2020 festival featuring cinema, art, music, and ballet. For this article, we will only focus on the Italian festival’s operatic offerings. In celebration of Beethoven’s 250th anniversary, Diego Matheuz conducts Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Maria Pia Piscitelli, Laura Verrecchia, Antonio Poli, and Carlo Cigni. Performance Date: July 24, {…}
As Europe shifts into full-on live performance mode, you will notice that many of the streams on offer tend to shift toward U.S.-based companies. Of course, many of those performances on offer are quite exciting and we are going to be continually bringing them the attention they deserve. And speaking of continuing to bring attention to truly deserved streams, we {…}
The Ópera de Oviedo in Spain has announced its 2020-21 season. The season opens with a double featuring “L’heure espagnole” by Ravel and “Les mamelles de Tirésias” by Francis Poulenc. The double bill showcases Sabina Puértolas, Maite Beaumont, David Menéndez, Régis Mengus, Francisco Vas, and Joel Prieto. Maximiano Valdés conducts the production by Emilio Sagi. Performance Dates: Sept. 6-12, 2020 {…}
This week there will be a mix of live streams with older performances also shown on various streaming platforms. And just a reminder to not forget to check out important discussions taking place regarding issues of race and equality in opera. We continue to recommend checking out several online shows such as Karen Slack’s “KikiKonversations,” Kenneth Overton’s “Black Opera Live,” “The {…}
The Royal Opera House, in partnership with The Luna Drive In Cinema, will bring the opera and ballet to British audiences at drive-in theaters set up at iconic venues, a press release dated July 10 stated. The Opera House and Ballet will screen “La bohème,” “La traviata,” “Swan Lake,” and “Alices Adventures in Wonderland” at Blenheim Palace, Warwick Castle, Allianz {…}
(Credit: Tristram Kenton) The Royal Opera House has announced that it will stream its production of Gounod’s “Faust” on July 17, 2020. The performance, which dates back to the 2018-19 season, stars Michael Fabiano in the title role with Erwin Schrott as Méphistophélès and Irina Lungu as Marguerite. The performance was conducted by Dan Ettinger. The opera can be streamed {…}
