The ABAO 2022-23 season opened with an offering of the critical edition of Bellini’s “I Puritani” by Fabrizio della Seta. It featured Bel Canto expert Jessica Pratt and promising tenors Xavier Anduaga in the award-winning production by Emilio Sagi. Sagi’s “Puritani” has been already appeared in several theatres around the world, its last revival was at the Opera de Oviedo {…}
The ABAO Bilbao Opera is set to open its 71st season with Bellini’s “I Puritani.” The production, which is set to run between Oct. 15 and 24 for four performances, will feature an all-star headed by Jessica Pratt and Xabier Anduaga. Andrzej Filończyk, Manuel Fuentes, Alejandro López, Josu Cabrero, and Laura Vila round out the cast. Giacomo Sagripanti is set {…}
Opera Australia has announced its 2023 season which will mark the 13th and final season of Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini’s tenure. Sydney Summer Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” will be conducted by Guillaume Tourniaire in Sir David McVicar’s production. The opera will star Ukranian baritone Andrei Kymach in the titular role, Israeli bass Yuri Kissin as Leporello, and Sophie Salvesani as Donna {…}
Opera is going through a transition with companies trying to modernize works in order to bring younger audiences and bring the art form into the modern world. In some cases, it works and in other cases, it becomes a mere distraction that puts a concept up front and places the work and its music in the background. For the Teatro {…}
The Teatro San Carlo di Napoli is set to present a revival of Filippo Crivelli’s classic production of Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.” The production, which premiered in 1998 features set designs by Lele Luzzati and costumes by Santuzza Cali. Riccardo Frizza wll conduct the work and said, “conducting what is perhaps the best-loved opera buffa in the repertoire is {…}
The Teatro San Carlo has announced a cast change for its production of “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.” The company noted that Aleksandra Kurzak will no longer sing the role of Rosina and will be replaced by Jessica Pratt. The change comes as Kurzak is at the Royal Opera House replacing Anita Rachvelishvili and Ermonela Jaho in productions of “Cavalleria Rusticana” {…}
The Teatro San Carlo has announced its 2022-23 season. Here is a look at the performances. Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “Don Carlo” starring Matthew Polezani, Ernesto Petti, Ailyn Perez, Michele Pertusi, Elina Garanca, and Alexander Tsymbalyuk. Juraj Valcuha conducts the production by Claus Guth. Performance Dates: Nov. 26-Dec. 6, 2022 Lorezno Passarini conducts concert performances of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” {…}
(Credit: Eaolovega) Jessica Pratt has canceled her participation in the production of “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” at the Ópera de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. The soprano took to social media and said, “Unfortunately I have suffered from a bad infection post-Covid and while I am making progress every day I am not yet able to sing and have to {…}
The Rai Orchestra in Torino has announced its 2022-23 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances set for the season. Fabio Luisi conducts Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with soloists Valentina Farcas and Wiebke Lehmkuhl. Performance Date: Oct. 19 & 20, 2022 Fabio Luisi conducts soloists Uliana Alexyuk Valetina Stadler, Nicky Spence, and Tomas Tomasson in Beethoven’s Symphony No. {…}
The Maggio Musicale has announced cast changes for its production of “Ariadne auf Naxos.” The company noted that for the second and third performances on June 10 and 13, Daniele Macciantelli will replace Jacoub Eisa in the role of Truffaldin. Meanwhile, the role of Zerbinetta will be sung by Gloria Rehm on June 10 replacing Jessica Pratt, who was forced {…}
The Teatro Real de Madrid has announced its 2022-23 season featuring nine company premieres. Opera Philip Glass’ “Orphée” opens the season with Jordi Francés conducting Rafael Villalobos’ production. The chamber work stars María Rey-Joly, Isabella Gaudí, Sylvia Schwartz, Natalia Labourdette, Mikeldi Atxalandabaso, Juan Antonio Sanabria, Edward Nelson, Karina Demurova, Pablo García-López, and Emmanuel Faraldo. Performance Dates: Sept. 21-25, 2022 Nicola Luisotti, Diego García Rodríguez, {…}