Plácido Domingo, Jonas Kaufmann, Anja Harteros, Angela Gheorghiu, Dmitri Hvorostovsky Headline Vienna State Opera’s Star-Studded Streaming Slate for June 2020

(Credit: Gregor Hohenberg / Marius Baragan / Pavel Vaan & Leonid Semenyuk) The Vienna State Opera has announced its streaming slate for the month of June. Here is a rundown of the opera performances audiences can check on the company’s official website. June 1 – Die Frau Ohne Schatten Performance of Oct. 18, 2019 starring Stephen Gould, Camilla Nylund, Mihoko {…}

Feb 5, 2020

Wiener Staatsoper 2019-20 Review: Fidelio Urfassung – Leonore

(Photo Credit: Wiener Staatsoper GmbH/Michael Pöhn) Ludwig van Beethoven’s only opera “Fidelio” is usually characterized as an operatic work of extraordinary musical and dramatic values. Well-known for its mammoth Overture to Leonore No. 3, and originally entitled “Leonore, or the Triumph of Marital Love,” it carries a powerful message of a brave woman who risks her own life in order {…}

Jan 31, 2020

Anna Netrebko, Jennifer Davis & Adriana Gonzalez Lead Top 7 Operas to See This Weekend – International

(Credit: Bayerische Staatsoper) This weekend is all about new productions, role debuts and rarely performed works. Here are seven productions we recommend this weekend. Leonore – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Tomáš Netopil conducts a new production by Amélie Niermeyer of Beethoven’s only opera. The cast includes Jennifer Davis in her Vienna debut, Katrin Röver, Benjamin Bruns, Falk Struckmann, Thomas Johannes Mayer, {…}

Jan 27, 2020

Watch ‘Fidelio’ Live Stream From Vienna State Opera

On Feb. 1, 2020, the Vienna State Opera will continue its live streaming series by featuring Beethoven’s “Fidelio.” The iconic opera will feature Jennifer Davis as Leonore with Benjamin Bruns as Florestan. Other cast members include Tobias Kehrer, Thomas Johannes Mayer, Chen Reiss, and Jörg Schneider. Tomás Netopil will conduct a production that will be directed by Amélie Niermeyer. The {…}

Jan 22, 2020

Michael Fabiano, Elza Van Den Heever & Sondra Radvanovsky Headline San Francisco Opera’s 2020-21 Season

(Credit: Courtesy of San Francisco Opera) The San Francisco Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring a number of new productions and stars. Here is a look. Productions The first production of the season will be Beethoven’s “Fidelio” celebrating the composer’s 250th anniversary. The new production will be directed by Matthew Ozawa with Music Director Designate Eun Sun Kim conducting {…}

Aug 22, 2019

David Butt Philip, Hiromi Omura & Jessica Pratt Lead Opera Australia’s Melbourne 2020 Season

Opera Australia has announced its 2020 Melbourne program, which will include staged operas, concert performances, and musicals. Operas Graeme Murphy will direct an “innovative and visually stunning” new production of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” It will showcase how “the digital screens can be used to enhance the storytelling and opera experience,” says Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini in the press release. Japanese soprano Hiromi Omura {…}

Jan 22, 2019

Nadine Sierra, Brian Jagde & Franco Fagioli Headline San Francisco Opera’s 2019-20 Season

The San Francisco Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring seven new productions and two new revivals. There will also be a notable company premiere with many rising and established stars taking the stage. Main Stage The 2019–20 season opens with Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” in a new production by Jean-Louis Grinda. The opera returns after a 31-year absence with {…}

Aug 29, 2018

Jennifer Davis Withdraws from Wexford Festival Opera’s “Il bravo”

Wexford Festival Opera has announced that soprano Jennifer Davis has withdrawn from their performances of Saverio Mercadante’s opera, “Il bravo.” David Agler, artistic director of the festival, says, “Since Ms Davis was initially engaged to sing the role in Wexford, her voice has developed, and the role is no longer suitable vocally. She would not want to sing the role {…}

Jun 9, 2018

Royal Opera House 2017-2018 Review – Lohengrin: Christine Goerke Shines Among Solid Cast As Half-Awoken Myths Stay in the (Wartime) Trenches of Reality

Its preludes are themselves landmarks of beauty – but Wagner’s 1850 opera “Lohengrin” is a prelude to his future epics. Rooted in Arthurian legend, taking the son of King Parsifal as its hero, and featuring prayers to the pagan gods Wotan and Freia, it is another battle between the divine and the mortal. In mythical medieval Brabant, Count Friedrich von {…}

Jun 8, 2018

Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – International (6/8-10): Klaus Florian Vogt, Francesco Meli & Elza Van Heever To Star This Weekend

This will be a weekend of new productions, closing nights, and role debuts. Two major stars return to signature roles while one rising star takes on her first Wagner role. Then there are two bel canto favorites and some verismo. Here is a look. Ernani – Opera de Marseille, France Francesco Meli takes on the title role in Verdi’s early work {…}

Jun 4, 2018

Artist Of The Week: Jennifer Davis Ready For Wagner In ‘Lohengrin’

Singing Wagner is never an easy feat and he is a composer many singers train years to take on. His music is known for its length and for its technical challenges and in many cases, it is extremely taxing. This week Jennifer Davis takes a major step in her career singing her highest profile assignment to date – Elsa in “Lohengrin.” {…}