(Credit: Marty Sohl / Metropolitan Opera) The operas of Handel are not necessarily standards at the Metropolitan Opera. And to a certain extent, that is understandable. They are rather expansive in runtime with ample casts and a musical style that doesn’t always suit the cavernous hall. But the reality is that these operas, while dating to the 18th century, are {…}
The good news – there is a lot of good opera going around North America throughout the weekend. As such, this weekend’s top picks were not easy to come by or select. But the curation came down to a number of unique new operas and rarely performed gems of old with star-studded casts stretching from the east all the way {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) The LA Philharmonic has announced its 2020-21 season featuring a number of important stars and conductors. For the purposes of this article, we will only highlight vocal performances. The season opens with Grieg’s Piano Concerto and Peer Gynt selections with Gustavo Dudamel conducting Lang Lang. The program also includes John Adams’ Short Ride in {…}
The International Opera Awards have announced the nominees for its 2020 Awards. The annual event, which celebrates achievement in opera around the globe over the 2019 calendar year, recognizes excellence in a wide range of categories that cover performance, design and direction, as well as education and outreach. This year, two opera companies topped the 2020 nominees with three a {…}
(Credit: Rosetta Greek ) In 2017, Kate Lindsey released her first album “Thousands of Miles.” The album was comprised of songs by Kurt Weill and was a cross between classical music and Broadway. It was an experience that helped explore her voice and her technique in ways that she had never expected to and which posed new challenges that made {…}
This week will showcase the release of two second albums, a world premiere recording of a rare work, and a series continuation. Here is a look. Morgen Elsa Dreisig follows her debut album “Miroir(s)” with a recital of songs in collaboration with pianist Jonathan Ware. Taking its title, “Morgen,” from one of Richard Strauss’s best-loved lieder, it interweaves his music {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta/Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Music/Paola Kudacki / Met Opera) The year 2019 offered up its fair share of amazing opera experiences. As the calendar changes to 2020, OperaWire is taking a look at some of the most hotly anticipated performances that the New Year will have to offer for audiences. Without further ado, here are the top 10 {…}
(Credit: Wiener Staatsoper-Michael Pohn / Teatro alla Scala – Marco Brescia & Rudy Amisano) This weekend its all about the opening night of one of the most important theaters in the world. There will also be a historic world premiere in addition to a number of new productions, revivals and debuts that are important to look out for. Les Contes {…}
Alpha Classics has announced mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey’s second album “ARIANNA.” The new album will showcase Lindsey embodying the character of Ariadne, the mythical figure of the abandoned lover whose story has provided potent artistic inspiration for composers from the renaissance period to the present day. The new album will feature three cantatas by Haydn, Handel, and Scarlatti who each provide {…}
(Credit: Bo Huang) On Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2019, the Vienna State Opera will live stream Richard Strauss’ “Ariadne Auf Naxos.” The opera, which will be performed in a production by Sven-Eric Bechtolf, will be conducted by Michael Boder and will star Hans Peter Kammerer, Jochen Schmeckenbecher, Kate Lindsey, Stephen Gould, Hila Fahima, and Adrianne Pieczonka. The stream kicks off at {…}
This week will feature two unique releases from 2018 festivals. Both sets were extremely well-regarded productions when they premiered. Rigoletto C Major releases a new production of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” from the Bregenz Festival. The new release stars Stephen Costello, Vladimir Stoyanov, Mélissa Petit, Miklós Sebestyén, and Katrin Wundsam in a production by Philipp Stölzl. Enrique Mazzola conducts the production which OperaWire {…}