(Credit: Opernhaus Zurich/ Bergen National Opera/Teatro alla Scala) This weekend is filled with unknown repertoire and some masterpieces starring exciting rising stars. Here are the seven operas we believe you cannot miss. Čert a Káča – Anhaltisches Theater, Germany Dvořák’s rarely performed work gets a new production by Jakob Peters-Messer. The cast is led by Richard Samek and Rita Kapfhammer {…}
It is a big week for CDs and DVD releases in the opera world. As companies get ready for the holiday season, numerous artists have new releases that are must buys. Here are our recommendations. Myrthen With “Myrthen,” baritone Christian Gerhaher embarks on the second chapter of his once-in-a-lifetime project: the complete recording of Robert Schumann’s lieder output. Lauded as {…}
This week, three full recordings of popular operas will be released as well as a debut album by one of the most sought-out countertenors in the world. Winterreise Berlin Classics releases Schubert’s song cycle with Xavier Sabata and pianist Francisco Poyato. The debut album for Sabata, who is known for his work in Baroque repertory, makes a unique left turn {…}
Elizabeth DeShong has canceled her participation in Glyndebourne Festival’s in Handel’s “Rinaldo.” The company announced that due to personal reasons the mezzo would not be able to perform in the production. As a result, Polish countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński will replace DeShong in the title role. The countertenor, who was due to sing Eustazio in the production, will be replaced by {…}
The Orchestra National de France and the Choeur and Maîtrise de Radio France will present a free Bastille Day concert on Sunday, Jul. 14, 2019. The concert will take place “at the foot of the Eiffel Tower . . . [and] will be followed by the very famous fireworks,” according to SortiraParis. Alain Altinoglu will lead the orchestra. The event {…}
(Photo: Monika Rittershaus) Murderous political machinations and pandemic debauchery in the Kingdom of Lombardy in the 7th century were as rampant as any episode of “Game of Thrones” over a millennium later. A neophyte watching the latest series of the Westeros saga without any prior knowledge of its protagonists would find it similarly challenging to work out who is trying {…}
Oper Frankfurt’s new season is massive. It is loaded up with over a dozen new productions and even more revivals. Premieres Damiano Michieletto directs a new production of Rossini’s “Otello” starring Enea Scala in the title role, Karolina Makuła as Desdemona, Theo Lebow as Iago, and Jack Swanson as Rodrigo. Sesto Quatrini conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 8-Oct. 20, 2019 Asmik Grigorian sings {…}
On April 20 a concert in solidarity of the “Rebâtir Notre Dame de Paris” has been announced in order to raise funds to rebuild the iconic cathedral. The concert, which will be held at the Place des Invalides, will showcase a number of important artists across all genres. Among the opera singers performing at the concert are Pretty Yende, Julie Fuchs, and {…}
The Palau de La Musica has announced its 2019-20 season featuring guest performers, a number of choral pieces and all stars. Here is a break down of the operatic and vocal performances the season will offer. The season opens with the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge with the Jove de l’Orfeó Català in music by Wylkynson, Byrd, Britten, Lobo, Casals, Harvey, Weir, Villiers Stanford, {…}
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 {…}
The Théâtre Champs-Élysée has announced its 2019-20 season featuring five opera productions, numerous concert performances, operas in concerts, a Beethoven celebration and a number of recitals. For this season announcement we have narrowed it down to only vocal or operatic performances. Here is a look at the massive season. Deborah Cohen directs a new production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” with {…}