(Photo ©2024 Camilla Greenwell) In a recent interview with director Damiano Michieletto at the Venice production of “The Tales of Hoffmann,” he said: “At its heart it is a journey into fantasy. It is opera fantastique, after all!” One definition of the French word fantastique is: a term for a literary and cinematic genre and mode that is characterized by {…}
The Opéra Royal de Wallonie in Liège has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “La Traviata” with Giampaolo Bisanti conducting a production by Thaddeus Strassberger. Irina Lungu, Dmitry Korchak, and Simone Piazzola star. Performance Dates: Sept. 13-24, 2024 Leoš Janáček’s “Kát’a Kabanová” will star Anush Hovhannisyan, Anton Rositskiy, Nino Surguladze, Sergei Skorokhodov, Jana Kurucová, Dmitry Cheblykov, {…}
Boston Baroque has announced a cast change for its “Don Giovanni.” The company revealed that Michelle Bradley has withdrawn from the showcase due to personal reasons. In her stead, Julie Boulianne will take over as Donna Elvira; this marks her debut with Boston Baroque. Boulianne has performed with such companies as the Vienna State Opera, Theater an der Wien, Opéra {…}
(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 {…}
France’s Opéra National de Lorraine has announced its 2023-24 season featuring opera and concerts. Opera Marta Gardolińska conducts Mozart’s “Idomeneo“ in a new production by Lorenzo Ponte. Atalla Ayan sings the title role alongside Héloïse Mas, Siobhan Stagg, Amanda Woodbury, and Léo Vermot-Desroches. Performance Dates: Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2023 Lucio Gallo, Vuvu Mpofu, Anicio Zorzi Giustiniani, and Germán Olvera star in Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale.” {…}
The Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal has announced its 2023-24 season. The season opens with Camilla Tilling, Rose Naggar-Tremblay, Ladislav Elgr, Matthew Rose, and Jean-Willy Kunz. Rafael Payare conducts a program that includes Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass and Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.” Performance Dates: Sept. 12-14, 2023 Gemma New conducts Colin Currie and OSM Chorus in Nicole Lizée’s “Blurr is the {…}
(Credit: Anna Barbera) The Washington Concert Opera is set to open its new season with Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux.” The opera, which will be shown at the Lisner Auditorium on Dec. 4, 2022, is arguably the best opera from Donizetti’s dramatic “Tudor trilogy” and focuses on the Earl of Essex during his service to Queen Elizabeth. The cast will showcase René {…}
The Washington Concert Opera has announced its 2022-23 season. The company will celebrate the Bel Canto tradition with Donizetti and Verdi with the theme “Stories Through Sound.” The season will open with the WCO Gala at the French Embassy. Performance Date: Oct 12, 2022 The first mainstage production will be Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux” starring René Barbera in the title role, {…}
(Credits: Art Song Foundation of Canada official website / Brent Calis / Denis Rouvre / Julien Faugère) The Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal has announced its 2020 fall season. Per an official statement on the company’s website, the number of spectators who can be admitted into the concert hall will strictly obey the health rules of the Public Health of Quebec. {…}
The Opéra de Montréal has announced its 2020-21 season with five productions highlighting the season. The season opens with Verdi’s “La Traviata” starring Marie-Josée Lord in the title role, Rame Lahaj as Alfredo, and Jean-François Lapointe as Germont. Jordan De Souza conducts Alain Gauthier’s production. Performance Dates: Sept. 26-Oct. 1, 2020 Marianne Fiset sings the title role in Janáček’s “Jenůfa” with Samuel {…}
(Photo: Paola Kudacki / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera revealed its 2020-21 season on Wednesday afternoon. Among the major announcements were the company’s schedule for its ever-popular Live in HD slate. Here is a look at the list of performances that will be broadcast to audiences around the world. Aida (Oct. 10, 2020): Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Michael Mayer’s new production {…}