Leos Janacek is one of the most prolific Czech opera composers, many of his becoming major staples of the canon. For many, his most iconic work is “From the House of the Dead,” which had its world premiere on April 12, 1930 at the National Theatre Brno. Incidentally, the work also was his last. Because the composer died before the {…}
Set in a provincial Russian town close by the Volga River, the basis for Janáček’s “Káťa Kabanová” – Alexander Ostrovsky’s play “The Storm” – invites the color palette of a murky staging; a cerulean hue or olive green to mirror the portentous themes that percolate the sometimes dissonant, sometimes harmonious and sinuously changing score. Unlike many opera settings, the visual {…}
OperaVision will present the Teatro Di San Carlo’s performance of Janácek’s “Kátá Kabanová” on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. The opera performance, which will be directed by Willy Decker and conducted by Juraj Valcuha, will star Pavla Vykopalová in the title role. Other cast members include Ludovit Ludha, Gabriela Benacková, Misha Didyk, Sergej Kovnir, Lena Belkina, and Boris Stepanov. The stream {…}
Much has been said about Polish director Krzysztof Warlikowski’s production of Leos Janáček’s “From the House of the Dead (Z mrtvého domu)” that was recently seen at the Royal Opera House. OperaWire’s review from that series of performances was titled “Prison Drama Locks Up Its Singers” in reference to the directs subversive and interruptive choices throughout. And now, the controversial {…}
Entering into its third season, the Concerts at Saint Thomas has announced its line-up of performances. The season, which opens on Oct. 5, will see the inauguration of the new Miller-Scott Organ, which will be prominently featured throughout the season in a number of different concerts. Highlights of the 2018-19 season include Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,” Handel’s “Messiah,” and more, including {…}
Premiering on April 12, 1930, “From the House of the Dead” is the final opera composed by Leos Janacek. Adapted from the novel of the same name written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, this opera is distinct from others composed by Janacek as it does not deal with themes of love. This work explores isolation and the past deeds of men held {…}
It was close to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Heldentenor Clay Hilley had already conquered the rage of the ocean, immersed himself in the diary of one who vanished, become one with the earth. He had even forged Siegfried’s legendary sword Nothung. And yet his most challenging role of the evening was right in front him. After some {…}
Fyodor Dostoyevsky, born on Nov. 11, 1821, is one of the most influential writers of all time. His works, most famously “Crime and Punishment” and “The Brothers Karamazov,” are best known for their psychological depth and some have gone so far as to call him one of the greatest psychologists of world literature. An ardent Christian, his works have been {…}
Leos Janácek’s famed “Katja Kabanova” hits the internet live from the Vienna State Opera on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017. The performance comes courtesy of the company’s season-long streaming of its performances. The production, which is directed by André Engel and Ruth Orthman will be conducted by Graeme Jenkins and will feature Evelyn Herlitzius in the title role. Additionally, the cast {…}
Conductor Daniele Rustioni is poised to change things up at the Opera de Lyon in coming seasons. The Italian maestro was presented as the newly minted Music Director of the company at a private reception in New York on Thursday at the Bar Boulud on Broadway. Along with him was Lyon Opera’s own General Director Serge Dorny to reveal the {…}
The Manhattan School of Music is set to perform Leoš Janáček’s “Adventures of Vixen Sharp-Ears.” The opera is inspired by a comic strip called “Sharp-ears” that ran in a Prague daily newspaper. Janáček decided to adapt the strip, about a vixen and her adventures in the forest, into the libretto for this opera. In doing so, he transformed the originally comedic source {…}
