Weekend Preview – International (7/28-30): Jonas Kaufmann, Elina Garanca, Tamara Wilson & Diana Damrau Headline Festivals

Festival season continues with some of the greatest stars headlining major productions around the world. Find out what you can see this weekend. Austria At the Salzburg Festival, “Il Ritorno d’Ulisse,” “L’Incoronazion di Poppea” and “La Clemenza di Tito,” starring Russell Thomas and Golda Schultz, headline the weekend. Meanwhile at the Bregenz Festival, Bizet’s “Carmen” will showcased on Friday, Saturday, {…}

Jul 27, 2017

Joyce DiDonato, Jonas Kaufmann & Matthias Goerne Among ECHO KLASSIK Award Winners

The annual ECHO KLASSIK Awards have announced their 54 awards in 22 categories. This year’s coveted Female and Male singer of the year awards went to Joyce DiDonato and Matthias Goerne. Other winners included Jonas Kaufmann, whose album “Dolce Vita” topped the charts in terms of sales and will be honored in the category of “Bestseller of the Year 2017.” {…}

Jul 25, 2017

Bayerische Staatsoper 2016-17 Review – La Forza Del Destino: Jonas Kaufmann, Anja Harteros Dominate In A Personal Narrative Encapsulated In A Far Larger Context

Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” has had an uneven performance history despite containing some of the composer’s most memorable music, not least its well-known overture, made famous through concert performances, and the emotionally charged duets that characterize the work. The problem, however, stems not from its music, but from its sprawling structure and the complex tensions that drive the narrative. {…}

Jul 21, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (7/21-23): Sonya Yoncheva, Placido Domingo & Jonas Kaufmann Headline Opera Festivals

Many of the great opera houses around the world are now closed but festival season is beginning with many of the most renowned singers headlining new productions. Argentina Robert Carsen’s “Der Rosenkavalier” continues its run at the Teatro Colón. Austria The Salzburg Festival kicks off with the final performance of Opera Camp, Jedermann. At the Bregenzer Festival Rossini’s “Moses in Eygpt” {…}

Jul 10, 2017

9 Operas You Didn’t Know Jonas Kaufmann Performed In His Career

These days Jonas Kaufmann is probably the most in-demand tenor in the entire world. His sumptuous technique and polished interpretations have made him one of the most engaging and exciting artists working on the opera stage today. While many recognize the tenor, born on July 10, 1969, for his spinto and dramatic repertoire (Wagner and later Verdi for example), Kaufmann {…}

Jun 29, 2017

Royal Opera House Review 2016-17 – Otello: Jonas Kaufmann Cements His Legacy As One of History’s Great Otellos

Jonas Kaufmann has been hailed as the greatest tenors alive and is one of the most exciting performers currently working today. So it was no surprise that he would one day take the iconic role of Verdi’s “Otello.” There were many doubters regarding his availability (or ability) to master the role, especially after many high-profile cancellations due to illness. However, {…}

Jun 23, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (6/24-26): Jonas Kaufmann, Olga Peretyatko, Nina Stemme & Piotr Beczala Headline The Weekend

The opera season continues in full swing as many of the top stars continue runs of important operas around the world. Austria The Vienna State Opera kicks off its weekend with Strauss’ “Elektra” starring Waltraud Meier, Nina Stemme, Regine Hangler, Herbert Lippert and Alan Held. It follows on Saturday with Debussy “Pelléas et Mélisande” with Franz-Josef Selig, Bernarda Fink, Adrian Eröd, Simon {…}

Jun 22, 2017

Sony Classical Announces New Jonas Kaufmann CD

Sony Classical has announced a new album for Jonas Kaufmann. The company posted a picture of Kaufmann with a sentence stating, “His new album coming this autumn!” ⠀ No further details were given. The tenor is currently performing the title role of Verdi’s “Otello” in a highly anticipated production by Keith Warner. Maria Agresta and Marc Vratogna are performing alongside {…}

Jun 19, 2017

Artist Of The Week: Jonas Kaufmann Reaches For Mount Everest In Highly Anticipated ‘Otello’

Jonas Kaufmann is quite frankly the most famous tenor in the world. Ever since his breakout, audiences have followed Kaufmann’s career transition from the lyric repertoire to the most dramatic pieces in the tenor fach. And this week Kaufmann adds what most consider the Mount Everest of all tenor roles, “Otello.” It is considered the most difficult role by tenors {…}

Jun 19, 2017

Royal Opera House 2016-17 Preview: Jonas Kaufmann Follows Footsteps of Plácido Domingo, James McCracken, Jon Vickers in ‘Otello’

When Jonas Kaufmann takes the stage on Wed. June 21, 2017, for his first ever “Otello” in Verdi’s masterwork, he will follow in a long line of major tenors that have dominated the opera at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The opera first premiered with the ROH on Oct. 17, 1955, in a production starring Ramon Vinay in his {…}

Jun 16, 2017

Social Media Beat (Week 6/9-15): Anna Netrebko & Jonas Kaufmann Prepare Role Debuts

This week was a busy week for singers. Not only were many performing at festivals but a few were preparing new roles that are set to premiere in the next few weeks! Check it out. Nino Machaidze shared pictures of her current Gilda at the San Francisco Opera with Quinn Kelsey. Operawire will be at one of the performances later {…}