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Joseph Calleja has withdrawn from his upcoming performances of “Parsifal” at the Bayreuth Festival.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 {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced its 2022-23 season featuring two world premieres and classic works with international stars. Here is a look at the new season. Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” will star Carlos Chausson, Alessandro Corbelli, Andrzej Filonczyk, Carles Pachón, Xabier Anduaga, Iván Ayón-Rivas, Sara Blanch, and Serena Sáenz. Josep Pons conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 21-Oct. 9, 2022 “La {…}
Following Anna Netrebko’s withdrawal from the 175-anniversary gala, the Gran Teatre del Liceu has found new artists to take over. The company announced that on April 3, Sondra Radvanovsky, Lisette Oropesa, Iréne Theorin, Ludovic Tézier, and Joseph Calleja will headline the evening. Valentina Carrasco will direct the gala which will be conducted by Marco Armiliato and will feature Act two {…}