(Credit: Karen Almond) The Metropolitan Opera re-opened its doors on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, with a new production of “Dead Man Walking” by Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally. The production kicks off a major initiative for the company. Last year, the Met announced that due to the success of contemporary works, including “The Hours,” it would invest more potently on {…}
(Photo credit: Chris Singer) Joyce DiDonato is set to lead a series of public master classes at Carnegie Hall on Oct. 22-24, 2023. This year’s selected performers include soprano Jazmine Saunders, mezzo-soprano Karen Mathilde Heier Hovd, countertenor Agustín Pennino, and tenor Travon D. Walker. They will be accompanied by pianists Joel Harder and Justina Lee, who will also provide the artists with support and {…}
(Photo credit: Marco Borrelli & Simon Pauly) The Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg has announced its 2023-24 season starring Joyce DiDonato and Michael Spyres. “Don Giovanni in the Underworld” is presented by the Choir of the Opéra national du Rhin. Performance Dates: September 16-21, 2023 Ernst van Tiel conducts the Strasbourg Philharmonic Choir in “Amadeus Live.” Performance Dates: October 13-14, 2023 {…}
The Metropolitan Opera is set to open its 2023-24 season with the company premiere of Jake Heggie’s “Dead Man Walking.” The opera opens on Sept. 26 and will be performed nine times. Ivo van Hove directs the production with a cast that includes Joyce DiDonato as Sister Helen, Ryan McKinny as Joseph De Rocher, Latonia Moore as Sister Rose, and Susan Graham {…}
It’s that time of the year again! The 2023-24 season is about to begin and audiences are getting ready to choose performances as they head back to the opera. With so much to choose from, OperaWire is breaking down 10 opera productions that are must-sees for all opera lovers from around the world. Aida – Berlin State Opera – Opens {…}
Credit: Metropolitan Opera The Metropolitan Opera has announced the schedule for its Summer HD Festival. Ten free opera screenings will be projected on the façade of the opera house in Lincoln Center Plaza on Aug. 26-Sept. 4. First up is a special presentation of the film “Moonstruck,” (1987) starring Academy Award-winner Cher, with costars Nicolas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello, {…}
This week audiences will get rereleases of Maria Callas’ legendary performances as well as DVDs of two modern productions. Man Up / Man Down Sono Luminus releases “Man Up / Man Down,” the debut release from Constellation Men’s Ensemble (CME). Featured on the album are two world premiere recordings, both commissioned by the group for their annual new music weekend, {…}
(Credit: Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra has announced its first international tour in over 20 years. The company revealed that it would perform concerts in London, Paris, and Baden-Baden. “It has been more than 20 years since the Met Orchestra was last on tour in Europe, and I am so delighted to lead these wonderful musicians in programs that {…}
Pierre Boulez, eminent connoisseur of Berlioz and his oeuvre, has famously declared the French Romantic a key intermediary between Beethoven and Wagner, that is, respectively, the symphonic and operatic composers par excellence. His “Roméo et Juliette,” written in 1839, is by no means an exception as it combines, so to speak, the best of both worlds: a symphonic enacting of {…}
This week audiences will get solo recital albums, an opening night performance at La Scala, and Disney classics with one of the great mezzos of her generation. Shara Nova’s Titration Grammy Award-winning choir The Crossing, led by Donald Nally, releases its 30th album “Titration,” on Navona Records. Premiered at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center in Big Sky, Montana in August {…}
The Kansas City Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2023-24 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances for the season. Eduardo Strausser conducts the Kansas City Symphony Chorus in a program of music by Arvo Pärt, Giuseppe Verdi, and Robert Schumann. Performance Dates: Nov. 17-19, 2023 Michael Stern and Joyce DiDonato ring in the New Year with a program {…}