It’s late September in New York and a major European director is staging a unique new work at a historic venue. And it stars Jonas Kaufmann, making his return to the Big Apple for the first time in two years. Described by director Claus Guth as a “highly emotional trip” in a recent interview with OperaWire, “Doppelgänger” is gracing the {…}
Welcome back to this week’s look at the newest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. Among the major options are three DVD releases, a world premiere, and a film album by the world’s most famous tenor. Here’s the rundown. Oklahoma Chandos Records releases a recording of Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s beloved musical, “Oklahoma” led by acclaimed conductor John Wilson. The {…}
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 {…}
This week audiences can hear a world premiere recording as well as rarely performed works. There are also two complete opera recordings. Richard Flury: Four Song-Cycles Stephanie Buhmann and Margaret Singer perform Richard Flury’s song cycles in a new album for Toccata Classics. The output of Richard Flury, one of Switzerland’s most prolific composers, ranges from operas and ballets to {…}
Jonas Kaufmann has canceled his July 25 recital at the Bayerische Staatsoper. In an official press statement issued by the company, Kaufmann said, “Since I was really hoping to be able to sing the recital on Tuesday, I met Helmut Deutsch yesterday to go through the program. Unfortunately, I had to realize that I’m not yet able to sing for a {…}
The Arena di Verona has announced the program for Jonas Kaufmann’s gala performance on August 20, 2023. The program will showcase Kaufmann alongside frequent collaborators Sonya Yoncheva and Ludovic Tezier. Jochen Rieder conducts the evening. The concert will include excerpts from Puccini’s “Tosca,” Verdi’s “Otello,” Giordano’s “Andrea Chenier,” Lehar’s “Giuditta” Bizet’s “Carmen, “Leoncavallo’s “Mattinata” Curtis’ “Non ti scordar di me,” {…}
Jonas Kaufmann has canceled his upcoming performances in Paris and Aix-en-Provence. The tenor took to social media and said, “For several months, I have been struggling with coughing and excessive mucus during my performances. This viscous secretion led to increased irritation when singing and to fatigue of the respiratory muscles. Various attempts to solve this issue were unfortunately unsuccessful, resulting {…}
(Credit: Jonas Kaufmann , Sony Classical) Legendary mezzo-soprano Brigitte Fassbaender is reacting to Jonas Kaufmann’s appointment as the Intendant of the Tiroler Festspiele Erl. In an interview with the APA, she said Kaufmann “hardly meets the criteria” and added, “I would have liked Bernd Loebe’s theater knowledge to continue.” Fassbaender also noted that she believed that the appointment of Kaufmann {…}
Jonas Kaufmann has released the first single to his upcoming album “The Sound of Movies.” The lead single is “Conquest of Paradise” from the 1992 film “1492: Conquest of Paradise” by Ridley Scott. The song was originally recorded by Greek composer Vangelis and achieved success in many territories upon its release in 1992 including Flanders, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. {…}
(Photo Credit: andre uspensky) Russian Mezzo-Soprano Aigul Akhmetshina is being hailed as one of the most exciting opera singers in a generation. Called “The New Netrebko” by renowned critic David Mellor, she sings with a rare, coloratura mezzo voice. A luminary of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme, she debuted at just 21-years-old at the Royal Opera House in the {…}
(Credit: Sony Music) Jonas Kaufmann has withdrawn from the remaining performances of Massenet’s “Werther” at the Royal Opera House. The company said that for the July 1 performance Francesco Demuro will sing the title role while on July 4, Ioan Hotea will take on the opera. Demuro made his Covent Garden debut in 2011 in “Gianni Schicchi” and has since {…}