Welcome back as we explore the latest CD and DVD releases from around the opera world. This week audiences get to hear a Verdi album from a leading soprano as well as a “Carmen” from one of the great interpreters of today. There is also a re-release by one of the foremost popera tenors of our time. Bizet: Carmen Aigul {…}
Welcome back as we explore the latest CD and DVD releases from around the opera world. This week audiences will get another “Maria Stuarda” recording and a new recording of “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.” There are also a number oratorios and world premiere recordings. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Deutsche Grammophon and C Major Entertainment release Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” {…}
The Canadian Opera Company has announced its 2026-27 season. Verdi’s “La Traviata” opens the season with a cast that includes Kathryn Lewek, Lucia Cesaroni, Long Long, Luke Norvell, Russell Braun, and Reginald Smith, Jr. Paolo Carignani conducts Arin Arbus’ production. Performance Dates: Sept. 18-Oct. 17, 2026 Laurence Kilsby, Joel Alison, Daniel Okulitch, Lauren Fagan, Martina Myskohlid, and Tracy Dahl lead {…}
Welcome back as we explore the latest CD and DVD releases from around the opera world. This week, audiences get to hear a new ending to Puccini’s “Turandot” and various solo recitals from rising stars. Turandot: Christopher Tin Finale Christopher Tin’s new finale for “Turandot” is released featuring soprano Christine Goerke in the title role, while heldentenor Clay Hilley sings {…}
(Photo: Jean-Louis Fernandez) I first heard Samoan tenor Pene Pati a year ago in Munich in “La bohème,” an opera I’ve seen so often that I make every effort to avoid it. But this time was different; I was completely disarmed by this beautiful lyric tenor’s voice, his charm and his authenticity. Endowed with brilliant high notes, a beautiful timbre, {…}
(Photo: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera’s 2025–26 Live in HD season is set to present Strauss’s “Arabella” on Nov. 22. The opera will star soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Arabella, opposite bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny as Mandryka. Soprano Louise Alder sings the role of Zdenka while soprano Julie Roset takes on the role of Fiakermilli. The cast also includes {…}
(Photo: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) It’s been 11 years since the Metropolitan Opera presented Strauss’ “Arabella,” one of the composer’s most beautiful and charming works, and his last collaboration with Hofmannsthal. The work has been championed by many great sopranos and baritones throughout history. While originally scheduled for Lise Davidsen, the Met was able to find a soprano in {…}
(Credit: Photo: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to present Strauss’ “Arabella” for the first time since 2014. The company will present Otto Schenk’s 1983 production, with sets designed by Günther Schneider-Siemssen, costumes by Milena Canonero, and lighting by Gil Wechsler. The work will star Soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen in the title role and Tomasz Konieczny as {…}
The Palau de la Música de Valencia has announced its 2025-26 season. Magdalena Lucjan, Stefanie Iranyi, Benjamin Bruns, and Franz-Josef Selig star in Mozart’s Requiem with Alexander Liebreich. The concert also includes Lutosławski’s Musique funèbre. Performance Date: Nov. 7, 2025 Jordi Bernàcer conducts Verdi’s Requiem with Carmen Solís, Ana Ibarra, Sergio Escobar, and Marko Mimica. Performance Date: Nov. 14, 2025 {…}
The Opéra Grand Avignon has announced its 2025-26 season. Opera Débora Waldman conducts a production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” by Frédéric Roels. The opera will star Armando Noguera, Gabrielle Philiponet, Lianghua Gong, Mischa Schelomianski, Anaïk Morel, Tomislav Lavoie, Aimery Lefèvre, and Eduarda Melo. Performance Dates: Oct. 10-14, 2025 Mauro Borgioni, Marie Théoleyre, Floriane Hasler, Anna Rheinold, Furio Zanasi, and Salvo Vitale {…}
(Photo Credit: Jean-Baptiste Millot) In a striking counterpart to the shadowy, midnight Strozzi program just days prior, this afternoon concert at the Former Minorite Church of St. Salvator bathed the music of Luzzasco Luzzaschi in broad daylight—both literally and figuratively. Sunlight streamed through the high clerestory windows, casting a warm glow over the three elegantly dressed sopranos and onto the {…}
