Finals for singing competitions are an interesting experience to cover. On one hand, everyone on stage is a winner. In the case of the 2023 edition of the Queen Sonja Singing Competition, the six singers who took the stage on August 26 were picked from an overall pool of 521 contestants from around the world; not mention that the competition {…}
Wagner had been absent from Valencia’s Palau de les Arts for 10 years. So it is understandable that its return, especially with “Tristan und Isolde,” was a reason for great anticipation and expectation. What’s more, tickets were almost sold out for every performance, and the reception at the curtain call was loud and enthusiastic. Evocative & Original Àlex Ollé, a {…}
The Komische Oper Berlin has unveiled its 2022-23 season. New Productions The season kicks off with “Intoleranza 1960” with Sean Panikkar, Gloria Rehm, Deniz Uzun, Tom erik Lie, Joseine Mindus, and Ilse Ritter. Gabriel Feltz conducts a production designed by Marco Storman. Performance Dates: Sept. 23 – Oct. 3, 2022 “Pippi Langstrumpf” will be headlined by Devi-Ananda Dahm, Maria-Danaé Bansen, {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard) In the opera world, it’s a common cliché to think that Mozart, because of the simplicity of his music, is “easy to perform.” That’s often why we see opera conservatories and universities often take on his masterpieces for performances. But in my view, nothing is more challenging than Mozart. Not only is the music itself complex in {…}
The Komische Oper Berlin has announced the appointment of James Gaffigan as Music Director for the beginning of the 2023-24 season. His new contract will run through the summer of 2027. Gaffigan is a renowned conductor who has worked with such organizations as the Metropolitan Opera, Opéra National de Paris, Bayerische Staatsoper, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Munich Philharmonic, Staatskapelle Dresden, {…}
The Goya Awards have announced that the 2022 awards ceremony will take place at the Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia. The Spanish Academy announced that the annual awards will be handed out on Feb. 12 and will mark the fourth year in a row the awards will be held outside of Madrid, where the Spanish Academy’s offices {…}
The Palau De Les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia, Spain has appointed James Gaffigan as its next Musical Director. He will take up his new position starting during the 2021-22 season and will remain as music director for four more seasons. In his new post, Gaffigan is scheduled to direct two opera productions and two symphony programs during each season. {…}
(Credit: © Davide Cerati) Conductor Daniele Rustioni will take over the musical direction of Verdi’s “Falstaff” at Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia replacing conductor James Gaffigan. In a statement, the Spanish company noted that Gaffigan was unable to conduct the run due to scheduling issues. The opera was originally scheduled for January 2021 but was postponed due {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta) Editor’s Note: This review was a collaboration between David & Francisco Salazar. The Richard Tucker Gala is one of those nights that you circle on your opera calendar every single year. It’s everything people want from a high-end concert. Big stars in glamorous attire. A hallowed venue. And some of the greatest music ever written. In the {…}
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra has announced its 2019-20 season. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on vocal performances. Kicking off the 2019-20 season is “James Gaffigan Leads Debussy and Roussel,“ to be held in the Royal Concert Hall’s Large Hall. James Gaffigan will conduct the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in an evening of French works of exotic influence. {…}