(Photo: © Glyndebourne Productions Ltd. Photography by Richard Hubert Smith) “Carmen” is unquestionably one of the most popular works ever composed and has become an almost permanent fixture in the repertoire of opera houses. However, this presents something of a dilemma for those creative artists and directors who desire to produce the opera in a more contemporary setting and feel {…}
The Hong Kong Philharmonic has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Ralf Otto conducts Händel’s “Messiah” with Valentina Farcas, Catriona Morison, Nicholas Phan, and Thomas E. Bauer. Performance Dates: Dec. 20 & 21, 2024 Benjamin Northey and Siobhan Stagg celebrate the New Year with a Viennese program. Performance Dates: Dec. 29 & 30, 2024 {…}
The BBC Proms has announced its 2024 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Elim Chan conducts the First Night at Proms with soloists Sophie Bevan and Isata Kanneh‐Mason. The program includes Handel, Ben Nobuto, Beethoven Bruckner, and Clara Schumann. Performance Date: July 19, 2024 British choral groups The King’s Singers and VOCES8 present a Prom that showcases {…}
Canadian Opera Company is set to present the company premiere of Cherubini’s “Medea.” The opera will be presented in Sir David McVicar’s acclaimed production which was presented at the Metropolitan Opera. The opera will star Sondra Radvanovsky, Matthew Polenzani, and Janai Brugger, who all made their role debuts at the Met in 2022. Of those performances, OperaWire said “Sondra Radvanovsky {…}
Photo: Evan Zimmerman / Met Opera This year’s season opener of the Met’s “The Magic Flute,” on December 8th, 2023, was another high-energy holiday extravaganza. The family-friendly annual production by Julie Taymor was a familiar favorite to many; its rich fantasy world of magical symbolism dazzled and delivered. However, what set the bar for this year’s production apart from others, {…}
Photo: Michael Bishop Houston Grand Opera’s season premiere, “Intelligence,” is not just another opera to take in – it’s an experience to be absorbed. It masterfully fulfills art’s big-picture role: sparking dialogues and bridging emotional divides, even when the discussions are challenging and the ties seem broken. This riveting work is realized through the collective genius of composer Jake Heggie, {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl) This week, Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s latest work “Intelligence” will make its world premiere at the Houston Grand Opera (HGO). Moreover, this production represents an extension of the long-standing relationship between Heggie and HGO, as the company has also showcased the first performances of “End of the Affair (2004),” “Three Decembers (2008),” “Pieces of 9/11 (2011),” {…}
It’s that time of the year again! The 2023-24 season is about to begin and audiences are getting ready to choose performances as they head back to the opera. With so much to choose from, OperaWire is breaking down 10 opera productions that are must-sees for all opera lovers from around the world. Aida – Berlin State Opera – Opens {…}
(Photo Credit: Dario Acosta) Great Performances on PBS has announced two essential presentations. First up, the organization will broadcast a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Kaddish Symphony. The showcase will feature Uniting Voices, the Chicago Symphony Chorus, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under conductor and Bernstein protégé Marin Alsop. Janai Brugger appears as the soprano soloist. The performance, which was recorded {…}
Credit: Metropolitan Opera The Metropolitan Opera has announced the schedule for its Summer HD Festival. Ten free opera screenings will be projected on the façade of the opera house in Lincoln Center Plaza on Aug. 26-Sept. 4. First up is a special presentation of the film “Moonstruck,” (1987) starring Academy Award-winner Cher, with costars Nicolas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello, {…}
The Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal has announced its 2023-24 season. here is a look at the vocal performances. Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads Händel’s “Messiah“ with soloists Magali Simard-Galdès, Rose Naggar-Tremblay, Spencer Britten, and Philippe Sly. Performance Dates: Dec. 19 & 20, 2023 Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts a concert of music by Poulenc, Boulanger, and Amy Beach. Janai Brugger and Karen Cargill are the soloists. Performance Date: Feb. 3, {…}