(Photo credit: ©EnricoNawrath) In preparation for the new “Parsifal” at Bayreuth last year, one may have harbored preconceived doubts as to the very idea regarding the use of Augmented Reality eyeglasses. After attending this year’s performances, the doubts lingered; and although this production may not be considered a negative adventure per se, one may not view this experiment as a {…}
(Fotos von Bernd Uhlig, Kontakt: [email protected]) It does seem that the 2021 Deutsche Oper Berlin’s Ring has been somewhat of a success over the last few years. And this is good for opera. A major achievement, this as other cycles, after the centennial Patrice Chéreau staging have created negative stirrings, indeed vivid contestations largely due to mistaken stage-director conceptions ingrained {…}
(Photo credit: Bernd Uhlig) The man who gave the opera world its most dazzling 21st century “Parsifal,” Stefan Herheim, continues his quest to interrogate the Romantic text that is Richard Wagner’s “Ring of the Nibelungen.” Inspired refreshing of a 150-year-old work of art can provide new insights and flashes of illumination. But conceptual pyrotechnics can just as easily destroy its {…}
(Photo by Bernd Uhlig) I’m back in Berlin, a city I favor and enjoy so much, ready for yet another Ring cycle at Deutsche Oper, a large, comfortable 1850-seat theatre boldly designed in the Modernist style and simply ideal for large-scale productions. And none comes much larger than those penned by Giacomo Meyerbeer, Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner Therefore, with {…}
On Sept. 17, Oper Köln will kick off its 2023-24 season with the premiere of R. Strauss and Von Hoffmansthal’s “Die Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman Without a Shadow).” Considered exceptionally demanding, and requiring a massive orchestra, the opera is a fairy tale that Strauss believed was his most important work. The story relates the tale of an ethereal Empress {…}
Photo credit: ROH Salome © Tristram Kenton David McVicar’s production of Richard Strauss’ “Salome”, designed by Es Devlin, was first seen in 2008, and is receiving its fourth revival at Covent Garden with Bárbara Lluch at the helm. It opened the night following the death of Queen Elizabeth II – “Don Giovanni” the night before was cancelled in the circumstances {…}
(Credit: Det Kongelige Bibliotek) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced the upcoming premiere Rued Langgaard’s “Antikrist.” The opera is set to open on Jan. 30, and will last until Feb. 11, 2022, for a total of four performances. The opera will star Thomas Lehman as the Satan, Jonas Grundner-Culemann as Voice of God, Valeriia Savinskaia in the role of Echo {…}
Oper Graz has announced a cast change for its “Tosca” performance on August 24. The company announced that the Hawaiian baritone Jordan Shanahan will sing Scarpia at the Kasematten Graz, replacing Sir Bryn Terfel who is indisposed. The baritone will join Kristine Opolais and Jonas Kaufmann with conductor Marcus Merkel leading the Grazer Philharmoniker. Shanahan made his debut at Oper Graz {…}
Credit: Uwe Arens/Dario Acosta/Tatyana Vlasova The Staatstheater Wiesbaden has announced its 2020-21 season featuring eight new productions, the Ring Cycle and a number of important revivals. Here is a look. Premieres Konrad Junghänel conducts a new production of Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” with Tilo Nest directing. Ioan Hotea and Antonio Garés share the role of the count while Silvia {…}