(© Richard Hubert Smith) Ethel Smyth’s opera “The Wreckers” opened the Glyndebourne Festival Opera last weekend, receiving its first-ever performance in the original French – libretto by Henry Brewster – and with many savage cuts restored. Its journey has been a long one: Smyth was repeatedly thwarted by war, misogynistic attitudes, musical conservatism, and meddling conductors. For some context – {…}
The Palau de les Arts in Valencia, Spain has announced its 2020-21 season featuring zarzuela, opera, and recitals. Opera The Palau de les Arts opens with Romeo Castellucci directing a new production of Mozart’s “Requiem” with Stefano Montanari conducting. Anett Fritsch, Sara Mingardo, Anicio Zorzi Giustiniani, and Nahuel Di Pierro star. Performance Dates: Sept. 27-Oct. 8, 2020 Kurtág’s “Fin de {…}
Oper Frankfurt has announced its 2020-21 season. The German house will present 11 new productions and a number of revivals and recitals. New Productions Monika Buczkowska, Judita Nagyová, Peter Marsh, Simon Neil, and Alfred Reiter star in Ligeti’s “La Grand Macabre.” Sebastian Weigle conducts a production by Vasily Barkhatov. Performance Dates: Sept. 13-Oct. 17, 2020 Katharina Thoma will direct Offenbach’s {…}
This week three CDs will be available to stream featuring some of the greatest soloists in the world. Check these out! Dvořák Requiem Jakub Hrůša and Jiri Belohlavek lead the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and Prague Philharmonic Choir in Dvořák’s Requiem, Biblical Songs, and Te Deum. The album, which is being released by Decca, includes soloists Ailyn Pérez, Christianne Stotijn, Michael {…}
The Gewandhaus Leipzig has announced its 2020-21 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances that will featured throughout the season. Gotthold Schwarz conducts Bach’s Weihnachts-Oratorium with soloists Mojca Erdmann, Elvira Bill, Julian Prégardien, Martin Lattke, and Klaus Mertens. Performance Dates: Dec. 11-13, 2020 Andris Nelsons conducts Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with soloists Amanda Majeski, Mihoko Fujimura, Klaus Florian Vogt, {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) The LA Philharmonic has announced its 2020-21 season featuring a number of important stars and conductors. For the purposes of this article, we will only highlight vocal performances. The season opens with Grieg’s Piano Concerto and Peer Gynt selections with Gustavo Dudamel conducting Lang Lang. The program also includes John Adams’ Short Ride in {…}
The Norwegian National Opera announced its plans for the 2019-20 season. Here is the lineup: The season open with Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore” in a production by British director Oliver Mears. Operalia Competition winner Luis Gomes sings Nemorino opposite Andrea Carroll’s Adina. Baritone Andrei Kymach and Bass-baritone Günes Gürle will sing Belcore and Dulcamara, respectively. The conductor will be Daniel Smith. {…}