Jonas Kaufmann, Sonya Yoncheva, Diana Damrau, Rolando Villazon, Asmik Grigorian, Ludovic Tézier, Jonathan Tetelman, Serena Sáenz & Sondra Radvanovsky Lead Bayerische Staatsoper’s 2025-26 Season

The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2025-26 season. Premieres Maurizio Benini conducts Verdi’s “Rigoletto” in a new production by Barbara Wysocka. Bekhzod Davronov, Igor Golovatenko, Ludovic Tézier, Serena Sáenz, Nadine Sierra, Riccardo Fassi, and Elmina Hasan star. Performance Dates: March 7-24, 2026 & July 28 & 31, 2026 Lotte de Beer directs a new production of Gounod’s “Faust” with Jonathan {…}

Jan 29, 2025

Wiener Staatsoper Announces Cast Change for ‘Der Rosenkavalier’

(Credit: Official Website) The Wiener Staatsoper has found its replacement for “Der Rosenkavalier.” The company said that Krassimira Stoyanova will sing the Marschallin, replacing Lise Davidsen who is pregnant and has canceled all performances after March until 2026. Stoyanova is known for her Marschallin, having performed it at the Wiener Staatsoper, the Salzburg Festival, and the Teatro alla Scala. Critics {…}

Oct 29, 2024

Teatro alla Scala 2023-2024 Review: Der Rosenkavalier

(Photo: Brescia e Amisano © Teatro all Scala) Austrian writer Hugo von Hofmannsthal confessed that he drew inspiration for “Der Rosenkavalier’s” libretto from Molière’s comedies, weaving them together with the roles of Italian commedia dell’arte. He wrote, “The characters were there, performing right in front of us: the Buffoon, the Old Man, the Young Man, the Lady, the Cherubino… Each {…}

Oct 2, 2023

Anna Netrebko, Luca Salsi, Francesco Meli & Ludovic Tézier Lead ‘O Sole Nostro’ Gala

The Wiener Konzerthaus is set to present a gala entitled “O Sole Nostro” on Nov. 11, 2023. The gala will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Ristorante Sole and the concert will benefit the St. Anna children’s cancer research. The evening will showcase some of the greatest opera singers in the world including Anna Netrebko, Antonino Siragusa, Boris Pinkhasovich, Camilla Nylund, Clemens Unterreiner, Dmitry Korchak, Fabio Armiliato, {…}

Jun 4, 2023

Elina Garanca & Krassimira Stoyanova Lead Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria’s 2023-24 Season

The Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria has announced its 2023-24 season. Here are the vocal performances. Karel Mark Chichon conducts Verdi’s Requiem with soloists Krassimira Stoyanova, Dmytro Popov, Rihards Macanovskis, and Olesya Petrova. Performance Dates: Sept. 21, 2023 Elina Garanca, José Antonio López, María José Moreno, and Ismael Jordi lead “Luisa Fernanda” with Karel Mark Chichon. Performance Date: Oct. 20, 2023 Karel Mark {…}

May 29, 2023

Anna Netrebko, Elīna Garanča, Sonya Yoncheva, Jonas Kaufmann & Luca Salsi Lead Teatro alla Scala’s 2023-24 Season

The Teatro alla Scala has announced ts 2023-24 season. The season opens with Verdi’s “Don Carlo” which will star René Pape, Francesco Meli, Luca Salsi, Ain Anger, Anna Netrebko, and Elīna Garanča. Riccardo Chailly conducts a production by Lluis Pasqual. Maria Jose Siri and Ekaterina Semenchuk perform the final two performances. Performance Dates: Dec. 7, 2023-Jan. 2, 2024 Sonya Yoncheva {…}

Apr 24, 2023

Michael Spyres & Chevalier Lead New CD/DVD Releases

This week audiences will get a chance to hear a soundtrack from an anticipated film and the new album from one of the most interesting tenors in the industry. Ariadne auf Naxos Dynamic releases Strauss’ work in a production by Matthias Hartmann. The Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is led by Daniele Gatti and production from Florence stars Krassimira Stoyanova {…}

Apr 5, 2023

Krassimira Stoyanova, Aimee Berwick, Mariola Cantarero, Luvuyo Mbundu, Stacey Alleaume Headline OperaVision’s April 2023 Slate

OperaVision has announced its April 2023 slate. First up, the company will showcase “Aida” from the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.” The production stars Krassimira Stoyanova, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Gregory Kunde, and Vladimir Stoyanov in a production by Davide Livermore. Michele Mariotti conducts. Streaming Date: April 7, 2023 Next up is Birmingham Opera Company’s “The Decision.” The opera stars Aimee Berwick, Paksie {…}

Jan 30, 2023

Krassimira Stoyanova Lead Teatro dell’Opera di Roma’s ‘Aida’

The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma is set to open a new production of Verdi’s “Aida” on Jan. 31, 2023. The production is set to be directed by Davide Livermore and conducted by Music Director Michele Mariotti. In a statement, Mariotti said, “the immense score of ‘Aida’ can be read naturally as an intimate drama even before a glorious and patriotic {…}

Nov 16, 2022

CD Review: Opera Rara’s ‘Zingari’

After last year’s release of Donizetti’s “Il Paria” it is now the turn of Leoncavallo’s “Zingari” to be featured in a flawlessly produced recording by Opera Rara and its artistic director, Carlo Rizzi, at the helm of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. “Zingari” is the British label’s second dive into the veristic treasure-trove of Leoncavallo’s musical oeuvre and, as such, a {…}

Nov 14, 2022

Teatro Real 2022-23 Review: Aida (First Cast)

Last week, I provided my thoughts on the other cast of this production of “Aida,” starring soprano Anna Netrebko. But I also had a chance to experience the opera on Nov. 6 with the opening night cast. While the star of that original cast was the lead soprano, here it turned out to be someone else. Star of the Night {…}