Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide 2017 For Opera Lovers: Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Plácido Domingo & Maria Callas CD/DVDs Among Major Highlights

It’s the holiday season and that means gift buying and making difficult choices. As a result, OperaWire has lightened the task as we chose albums from some of our favorite artists and our key recommendations from the hundreds of releases from 2017. Maria Callas If you are going to spend money this year, Maria Callas: The Live Recordings is OperaWire’s {…}

Jul 17, 2017

CD/DVD Releases – Week of July 17: Elina Garanca, Krassimira Stoyanova & Klaus Florian Vogt Lead New Releases

Three high profile releases are coming out this week. The first comes from one of the biggest mezzo-sopranos in a role debut while the other comes from one of the most revered summer festivals while the third comes from Salzburg in a rare Strauss work. Both releases will come from the yellow label Deutsche Grammophon. La Favorite Elina Garanca has {…}

Jul 7, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (7/7-9): Michael Fabiano, Paul Appleby & Anja Harteros Headline Productions

The weekend is on the lighter side as many of the big company’s have closed their season. However, the festival season is beginning with Aix- en-Provence in full swing. Check it out. Austria The Prague Summer Nights Festival moves to Vienna to perform at the Mozarteum. The festival closes out with a performance of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” on Friday and {…}

Jun 2, 2017

Weekend Preview- International (6/2-4): Joyce DiDonato Continues Her Tour In Barcelona

You’ve been working hard all week, so kick off your shoes and take a look at some of our weekend opera recommendations, from all around the globe. Austria The Vienna State Opera starts off the weekend by presenting Beethoven’s “Fidelio.” It will be followed by Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier” featuring Linda Watson as the Marschallin and Peter Rose as Baron Ochs. {…}

May 16, 2017

Best of Metropolitan Opera 2016-17: Plácido Domingo & The 10 Best Male Performances

This article is a joint collaboration between David & Francisco Salazar. Yesterday we gave you the finest female performers of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2016-17 season. Now we turn toward the men that truly brought down the house. Remember that these picks are mere favorites based purely on personal preference. Since there were so many incredible performers this season, here is {…}

May 4, 2017

Metropolitan Opera 50th Anniversary Celebration: Stories From The New House Told By Opera’s Greatest Stars

For 50 years, the Metropolitan Opera has made its home in Lincoln Center, creating numerous cathartic and revelatory memories for both audiences and artists alike. In speaking with some of the world’s greatest artists that have performed at the Met, OperaWire has been granted the opportunity to hear some unique, enriching and entertaining stories and experiences that have taken place {…}

Mar 26, 2017

Metropolitan Opera Review 2016-17 – Fidelio: Beethoven’s Ode to Women Celebrated With Stunning Cast & Production

I preface this by stating that this review is for the performance on March 24, 2017. I would also like to recognize that this is just one, performance of a seven-performance run. In an ideal situation, I would attend every performance and write a detailed review of the overall work. As it stands, I can only go on my perspective of one performance. 2017 has been the year of {…}

Mar 17, 2017

The Lyrical Heldentenor – Klaus Florian Vogt On A Different Wagnerian Approach & ‘Fidelio’s’ Rigidity

The Wagner tenor is a rare breed, often defined by a thick and granular quality that can easily cut through the orchestra, all while singing the most difficult music in the operatic canon. When we think of Wagnerian voices, we think dark and heavy, not light and delicate. Unless of course, we are talking about Klaus Florian Vogt. Arguably the {…}

Mar 13, 2017

Artist Of The Week: Klaus Florian Vogt Returns To The Metropolitan Opera After A Decade

Klaus Florian Vogt is regarded as one of the most sought-after Wagnerian tenors his generations. He has marveled audiences with his intense lyricism and his commitment to each role he portrays. This week he returns to the Metropolitan Opera for the first time since 2006 when he made his debut in the title role of Wagner’s “Lohengrin.” This time Met {…}

Mar 13, 2017

CD/DVD Releases -Week of March 12: New Releases From Jose Cura and Klaus Florian Vogt

This week audiences will have an opportunity to experience rarities from the Bel Canto and baroque era as well as hear one of the supreme Wagnerian tenors. Take a look. Lohengrin Klaus Florian Vogt is known as one of the supreme interpreters of “Lohengrin” and thanks to the Royal Concertgebouw, audiences will get another chance to hear his interpretation in {…}

Feb 3, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (2/3- 2/5): Anna Netrebko And Roberto Alagna Headline A New Production Of ‘Il Trovatore’

The weekend kicks off with numerous companies performing some of Verdi’s timeless classics. There will also be Mozart, Wagner and some rare gems by Weill and Heggie. Check out what’s playing near you! Austria At the Vienna State Opera Puccini’s “Tosca” kicks off with Sae-Kyung Rim in the title role alongside Aleksandrs Antonenko and Marco Vratogna. On Saturday the company will {…}