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 {…}
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, {…}
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 {…}
Joseph Calleja has withdrawn from his upcoming performances of “Parsifal” at the Bayreuth Festival.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 {…}
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 {…}
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 {…}
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” {…}
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 {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced a cast change for Puccini’s “Tosca.” The company said that Vittorio Grigolo will sing the role of Cavaradossi, replacing Joseph Calleja, who has laryngitis. Grigolo recently performed the role of Cavaradossi in Zurich and also sang productions of “La Bohème” in Vienna and “Il Trovatore” at the Liceu. He is set to perform {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has announced its 2023 season. The season will open with Pablo Heras-Casado conducting a new production of “Parsifal” with Joseph Calleja making his role debut in the title role, Ekaterina Semenchuk as Kundry, and Georg Zeppenfeld as Gurnemanz. The company also noted that “Tannhäuser” will be conducted by Nathalie Stutzmann. Meanwhile, the company announced that it will {…}
(Credit: © Marc Brenner) “La Gioconda,” or “‘The Ballad singer” to give the opera its usual English translation, actually translates to, “The Happy Woman.” Irony overload, indeed, for an opera infused with sin, bitter revenge, betrayal, adultery, suicide, murder, cruelty and the Roman Inquisition. “La Gioconda” is a bit of a bizarre opera, by any standards. Encapsulating passion, violence and ultimately tragedy it {…}
