(Foto: Monika Rittershaus / Courtesy of Opernhaus Zürich) George Frideric Händel composed “Agrippina” during his Italian tour, a work that marked a pivotal moment in his career. It solidified his grasp of Italian opera, represented his first genuine operatic triumph, and remains the earliest of his operas for which the complete score has survived intact. The libretto, written by Cardinal {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week audiences will get to hear ambitious vocal projects that include multiple world premieres, rarities, and homages to historical artists. Schubert/Beatles The New York Festival of Song releases Schubert/Beatles on NYFOS Records featuring baritone Theo Hoffman, pianists Steven Blier and Kunal Lahiry, {…}
The Handel and Haydn Society is set to celebrate the holiday season with performances of Händel’s “Messiah” at Symphony Hall. The performances are set to take place on Nov. 24, 25, and 26 with newly appointed Artistic Director Jonathan Cohen leading the H+H Orchestra and Chorus. The performances will mark Cohen’s first time conducting “Messiah” with H+H and he noted, {…}
(Credit: © Marc Brenner/Royal Opera House) In “Alcina” seeing isn’t believing. Handel’s tale of an enchanted island, which sees the titular sorceress’ captives transfigured into birds, beasts, and shrubbery, speaks of the pleasures and dangers of illusion. First premiered on the current site of the Royal Opera House back in 1735, the opera speaks to a host of 18th-century preoccupations {…}
(Credit: Luigi Caputo) The Salzburg Whitsun Festival has announced its 2022 slate, focusing on the Spanish city of Seville. “There are said to be 153 operas set in and around Seville. It is a city which unites a unique mixture of proud ancient cultures which has generated and inspired incredibly varied music and enchants visitors with its stunningly bright light, {…}
The Theater Basel has announced its 2021-22 season. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on opera productions only. Here is a look: Mozart‘s singspiel “Die Zauberflöte” will open the season. The opera stars Kai Kluge and Alex Banfield in the role of Tamino, Kali Hardwick as Pamina, Rainelle Krause as Die Königin der Nacht, and Patrick Zielke {…}
This week audiences can stream and see rarely performed works and world premieres. Blueprints I Composer, vocalist, and producer Lisa Bielawa releases a new digital-only album featuring ten world premiere recordings of Bielawa’s compositions. The album was recorded entirely in the performers’ homes, with guidance from engineer Mick Rossi. The recording features Lisa Bielawa, pianist Molly Morkoski, flutist Sarah Carrier, {…}
The Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg hosts Mozart Week annually on or around Mozart’s birthday (Jan. 27) in celebration of the composer’s contributions to the world of music. The lineup for Mozart Week 2020, which will be held Jan. 23 – Feb. 2, has been announced. For the purposes of this article, we will highlight vocal performances and anything else opera-related. The {…}