Kristine Opolais, Vida Miknevičiūtė, Tuomas Pursio & Stefan Pop Lead Finnish National Opera’s 2024-25 Season

The Finnish National Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. Premieres Leevi Madetoja’s “The Ostrobothnians”, which is known as Finland’s “national opera” will be directed by director Paavo Westerberg. The cast will include Jukka Rasilainen, Ville Rusanen, Jussi Vänttinen, Johanna Lehesvuori, Maria Turunen, Iida Antola, Päivi Nisula, Tuomas Pursio, Aarne Pelkonen, Ilkka Hämäläinen and Mika Pohjonen. The Orchestra of the Finnish National {…}

Mar 15, 2024

Erin Morley, David Butt Philip, Pretty Yende, Maria Agresta & Maria Bengtsson Lead Semperoper Dresden’s 2024-25 Season

The Semperoper Dresden has announced its 2024-25 season. Premieres Arrigo Boito’s “Mefistofele” is conducted by Andrea Battistoni and directed by Eva-Maria Höckmayr. The production will star Krzysztof Bączyk, Bekhzod Davronov, Marjukka Tepponen, and Martina Gedeck. Performance Dates: Sept. 28-Oct. 24, 2024 Richard Strauss’s “Intermezzo” will be conducted by Patrick Hahn and directed by Axel Ranisch. The cast will include Maria {…}

Dec 28, 2023

Metropolitan Opera Announces Cast Change for ‘La Bohème’

The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its production of Puccini’s “La Bohème.” The company noted that Joseph Calleja will not perform the role of Rodolfo on Jan. 4, 8, and 13, 2024. In his stead, Stephen Costello will sing the role, which he has already performed this season. This season Costello is set to perform with the {…}

Sep 12, 2023

Federica Lombardi & Anita Hartig Lead Metropolitan Opera’s ‘La Bohème’

The Metropolitan Opera is set to revive Puccini’s “La Bohème” for 18 performances in the fall and winter. The opera, which is set to run between Oct. 10 and Jan. 13, will first star Federica Lombardi in the lead role alongside Matthew Polenzani, Olga Kulchynska, and Adam Plachetka. The cast also includes Sean Michael Plumb in his Met role debut as {…}

Aug 10, 2023

Elīna Garanča, Lise Davidsen, Joseph Calleja Headline Broadstage’s 2023-24 Season

The Broadstage has announced its 2023-24 season. Here is a rundown of the classical vocal performances. Lise Davidsen makes her company debut in a recital alongside James Baillieu as part of the Celebrity Opera Recital Series. Performance Date: Sept. 17, 2023 The second of three performances in the Celebrity Opera Recital Series will feature Joseph Calleja. Performance Date: Nov. 11, {…}

Jul 19, 2023

CD Review: Joseph Calleja’s ‘Ave Maria’

It has been a while since Decca released a solo recital with Joseph Calleja. “The Magic of Manotvani,” some sort of a crossover, dates from 2020 while his last properly operatic release, “Verdi,” goes all the way back to 2018. Yet the British label has all but forgotten about its spearhead tenor who, with “Ave Maria,” makes a beautifully toned but no less {…}

Jul 10, 2023

Joseph Calleja Withdraws from Bayreuth Festival’s ‘Parsifal’

Joseph Calleja has withdrawn from his upcoming performances of “Parsifal” at the Bayreuth Festival. In a statement, Calleja said, “Due to a persistent throat infection, I was advised by my doctor to withdraw from the current production of Parsifal here in Bayreuth. Goes without saying that this was a very hard decision to take, and I am so sorry for {…}

Apr 17, 2023

Joseph Calleja Cancels Munich Performances due to Surgery

Joseph Calleja has canceled his upcoming performances of Verdi’s “La Traviata” due to surgery. The tenor said via social media, “It is with great regret that I will have to renounce to my performances as Alfredo at the Bayerischer Staatsoper in Munich. This is due to some minor surgery I need to address chronic Gastroesophageal reflux disease that has worsened {…}

Apr 11, 2023

Joseph Calleja & Christiane Karg Lead New CD/DVD Releases

This week audiences will get a chance to discover modern masterpieces, baroque works, and a new album from one of the great tenors of his generation. Mahler Symphony No. 2 PENTATONE releases the Czech Philharmonic and Chief Conductor and Music Director, Semyon Bychkov’s interpretation of Maher’s Symphony No. 2 “The Resurrection.” They are joined by soprano Christiane Karg, alto Elisabeth {…}

Apr 7, 2023

Sondra Radvanovsky, Federica Lombardi, Carmen Giannattasio & Asmik Grigorian Lead Deutsche Oper Berlin’s 2023-24 Season

The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its 2023-24 season featuring six new productions. Premieres Puccini’s “Il Trittico” is set to be directed by Pınar Karabulut and conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles. “Il Tabarro” will star Misha Kiria, Jonathan Tetelman, Mikhail Pirogov, Carmen Giannattasio, and Maria Motolygina. Meanwhile “Suor Angelica” will star Mané Galoyan, Violeta Urmana, and Annika Schlicht. Finally, “Gianni Schicchi” {…}

Mar 16, 2023

Ewa Płonka, Lucas Meachem, Sasha Cooke, Lawrence Brownlee, Denyce Graves & Angela Meade Lead The Dallas Opera 2023-24 Season

The Dallas Opera (TDO) has announced its 2023-24 Season, featuring a world premiere production of “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.” Kicking off the season, opening with Puccini’s “Tosca” starring Ewa Płonka in the title role, Joseph Calleja as Cavaradossi, Gihoon Kim as Scarpia, Andrew Potter as Angelotti, Thomas Cilluffo as Spoletta, and Darren Drone as Sacristan in this Andrew {…}

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