This weekend sees two world premieres continue their first runs. It will also include a major role debut for a rising star tenor, one acclaimed production, and one rarely-performed work. Les Bienveillantes – Opera Vlaanderen, Belgium Peter Rundel conducts Hector Parra’s new opera in a production by Calixto Bieto. The work stars Peter Tantsits, Rachel Harnisch, Natascha Petrinsky, and Günter {…}
The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its 2019-20 season, which will include six new productions and dozens of revivals with some of opera’s greatest stars. New Productions The first new production of the season will be Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino.” The production will be directed by Frank Castorf and will star Russell Thomas and Marcelo Alvarez as Don Alvaro. {…}
The Bilbao Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring five productions, two company premieres, and a number of debuts by some of the biggest stars. Here is a look at what you can expect next season. Jessica Pratt opens the season with her acclaimed interpretation of Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor.” The soprano is joined by Ismael Jordi, Juan Jesús Rodriguez, and {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced its 2019-20 season with numerous new productions, revivals, rarely performed works and concerts by some of the biggest stars in the world. Franc Aleu makes his operatic debut directing a new production of Puccini’s “Turandot” with Irene Theorin in the title role alongside Jorge de Leon and Ermonela Jaho as Liù. Lise Linstrom {…}
On March 7, 2019, the Metropolitan Opera was celebrating a historical evening. It was the final performance of Sonja Frisell’s legendary production of “Aida,” which has been around for 31 years. Yet for all the publicity that attracted a rapturous audience, the historical evening was business as usual and an anticlimax. The performance featured no tribute or any type of {…}
Jorge de León heroically stepped in for an afternoon performance of “Madama Butterfly” on Jan. 13, 2019. The Spanish tenor, who performed in the premiere performance the night before, was forced to take over for an ailing Rame Lahaj. The Gran Teatre del Liceu announced that Lahaj was unable to perform due to faringitis. De León recently revealed that he {…}
As January continues, many of the opera companies are back in session with a number of revivals and new productions on offer. The focus of this weekend’s major choices will be numerous repertory standards. Arabella – Théâtre des Champs Elysées, France Anja Harteros sings her signature role alongside a cast that includes Kurt Rydl, Doris Soffel, Hanna-Elisabeth Müller, and Michael Volle. {…}
Jorge de León will sing Radamès in “Aida” at the Metropolitan Opera replacing Aleksandrs Antonenko. The Met press office announced that De León will sing the role on Feb. 28, March 4, and March 7. Antonenko was set to reprise the role he performed in the fall. He returns to the Met in March for a revival of “Samson et Dalila.” {…}
Jorge de León will jump into a production of “Madama Butterfly” at the Wiener Staatsoper on Dec. 3, 2018 The tenor will step in for Andrea Carè, who is ill. De León recently concluded a production of “Manon Lescaut’ at the Staatsoper Hamburg and will perform the role of Pinkerton in “Madama Butterfly” at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in {…}
Three major CDs and DVDs will get releases this week. There is one re-release while the two DVD releases will showcase new productions that were acclaimed when the opened. Here is a look at what you need to get this week! Le Nozze di Figaro From the Berlin State Opera, Accentus Music will release a production of Mozart’s classic gem with {…}
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 {…}
