(Credit: Bernd Uhlig) “Aida,” as we know, was supposed to be Giuseppe Verdi’s last opera. At least, he thought so. Along with his powerful “Requiem,” and all its operatic overtones, his very final work to come, the moving and gentle “Quattro Pezzi Sacri” – “Aida” was supposedly the prolific master’s operatic swan song. But, well, that is certainly not what {…}
(Photo: © Monika Rittershaus) “Don Giovanni” is an opera of seductions and escapes, moral wreckage and divine retribution, a shimmering mosaic of comedy, tragedy, farce, and existential dread. Yet “the mother of all operas” is also a uniquely treacherous work—at once alluring and intractable, irresistibly open yet elusive. Music’s sublimity rarely fails to connect with audiences, even in a less-than-stellar {…}
The new Robert Icke staging of “Don Giovanni” might upset more than a few spirits. The scenic proposal is certainly disruptive, and its insistence on intervening digitally in the opera’s soundscape is the most acute symptom of “directivitis” (the terrible disease that has afflicted opera directors for the last seven decades). However, I really had a great time watching “Don {…}
(Credit: Javier del Real) There are very few times when an operatic miracle of artistic excellence happens inside an opera house. But attending the performance of soprano Yolanda Auyanet as Maria Stuarda on the night of December 19th was one of those. She is no stranger to the Teatro Real theatre and bel canto repertoire, including her performances of Il Pirata {…}
(Photo Credit: SF/Matthias Horn) “Le Nozze di Figaro” in Salzburg is always a big challenge; it is Mozart’s city. The festival public is not conservative per se, but it does have high standards for Mozart, and will not willingly countenance simplistic approaches to the opera that would diminish Mozart and Da Ponte’s powerful message in name of some moralism. But {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta) The Handel and Haydn Society has announced its 2022-23 season featuring important vocal performances. The season opens an all-Bach program at Symphony Hall. Bernard Labadie conducts The Glories of Bach with featured soloist soprano Lauren Snouffer, countertenor Cody Bowers, tenor Andrew Haji, and bass Michael Sumuel. Performance Dates: Oct. 7 & 9, 2022 Raphaël Pichon will return {…}
(Credit: Teatro Real official website) The Teatro Real has announced the cancelation of the performance of Puccini’s “La bohème” scheduled for Jan. 2, 2022, due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the house. The Teatro Real completely reshuffled the cast for the performance on Dec. 29, 2021, in an attempt to present the opera despite a growing number of COVID-19 cases. {…}
(Credit: Teatro Real official website) The Teatro Real in Madrid was forced to change a big part of the cast for the Dec. 29 presentation of Puccini’s “La bohème.” Per Platea Magazine, only two singers from the formerly announced cast have appeared onstage – Krzysztof Baczyk in the role of Colline, and Joan Martín-Royo as Schaunard. The company announced that {…}
(Credit: Bayerische Staatsoper official website / Deutsche Oper am Rhein official website / Yan Bleney) Opéra National de Paris has announced an upcoming production of Mozart and Da Ponte’s “Don Giovanni.” The opera opens on Feb. 1, and runs through March 11, 2022, for a total of 13 performances. The famed work will be headlined by Christian Van Horn in {…}
(Credits: Dario Acosta / © Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Classical / Angela Gheorghiu official website / Michael Cooper / Kasskara/DG / Chris Singer) The Royal Opera House Covent Garden has announced full details of its exciting 2021-22 season, which will star some of the world’s greatest performers. The Royal Opera House Live Cinema Season and digital program will be announced {…}
(Credit: David Elofer) The Opéra National de Paris has announced the cast change for the role of Mimì in the Puccini, Giacosa and Illica’s opera “La bohème,” according to the official statement on the company’s website. Per the statement, soprano Marina Costa-Jackson has withdrawn from the production due to maternity leave and Ekaterina Siurina will thus perform in her stead {…}