Mozart’s “La Clemenza di Tito” has only had 45 performances to date at the Metropolitan Opera. Compared to other major works by the iconic composer, that number is rather low. The opera actually had its Met premiere on Oct. 18, 1984. It’s history with the company has been marked by a wide range of major stars in the three main {…}
Even before the curtain rose on this Los Angeles Opera production of Mozart’s “La Clemenza di Tito” which I saw on March 7th, 2019, I was excited by what I had read in the program booklet. LA Opera Music Director James Conlon’s article, “Clemency, Forgiveness and Love” with its emphasis on Titus’s closing message that “I know everything, absolve everyone {…}
When people talk about classical music, there are usually three composers that they immediately identify as central pillars – Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. Mozart, born on Jan. 27, 1756, is probably the most renowned of the three in popular culture. He was a famed child prodigy, performing for European royalty by the age of five. His career rocketed and he {…}
Two new CDs and DVDs will be released this week. The first is a world premiere recording from one of last year’s biggest hits and another of an acclaimed new production of one of Mozart’s masterpieces. Here is a look! The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs Mason Bates and Mark Campbell’s “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs” gets its world premiere recording {…}
Mozart’s “La Clemenza di Tito” was composed and premiered on Sept. 6, 1791, around the time when he also finished his final opera “Die Zauberflöte,” before passing away at the age of 35. “La Clemenza di Tito” was produced to celebrate Leopold II’s coronation as King of Bohemia, an event which sought to ease tensions in the country between the {…}
It’s been a summer of debuts for Russell Thomas and he is about to make yet another one on Thursday, July 27, when he takes on the title role in “La Clemenza di Tito” at the Salzburg Festival. This will be Thomas’ first time singing at the festival in a role that he has previously conquered. The American tenor took {…}
Vesselina Kasarova has had a career filled with many successes all around the world. Her repertoire has been extensive and she has collaborated with many of the great conductors and artists of her generation. To commemorate her birthday on July 18, let’s take a look at some of the recordings and roles that have defined her career and have made her {…}
Opera in cinemas seems to be a major trend all around the world and the Glyndebourne Festival will continue its acclaimed transmissions. The season gets off to a start on June 8, 2017, with the 2014 production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” starring acclaimed tenor Michael Fabiano and Bolshoi star Venera Gimadieva. The series continues on July 10, 2017, with the {…}
Valencia’s Palau de les Arts has announced its 2017-18 season which will feature nine operas. The first of the bunch will be Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” starting on October 11 and running for five performances. The opera will feature a new production by Emilio López. Liana Aleksanyan plays the doomed heroine. Gluck’s “Le Cinesi” follows up with a performance on Nov. {…}
Last week Operawire took a look at some of the 10 must see summer operas in the United States. It featured a range of repertoire and some very intriguing new stars. This week we look at the European Festivals and see where the big stars will be and what they will be performing. The following is a list of OperaWire’s 10 {…}
The Opera Ballet Vlaanderen has officially revealed its schedule for the 2017-18 season. The company kicks things off in Gent and Antwerp on Sept. 15 with a production of “Das Wunder der Heliane” by Korngold. The opera gets four performances at Opera Gent and five at Opera Antwerpen with Alexander Joel conducting a cast that includes Ian Storey as the {…}
