Javier Camarena has made Met Opera history singing the first solo encore in a Live in HD performance. During the final performance of Donizetti’s “La Fille du Regiment” at the Metropolitan Opera, Camarena repeated the final part of “A Mes Ami.” In total he sang 18 high Cs in the performance. With this final performance, Camarena encored during all seven {…}
The Met Opera’s Live in HD series continues this Saturday, March 2, 2019 with a performance of Donizetti’s comic gem “La Fille du Régiment.” The broadcast, which kicks off 12:55 p.m. Eastern time, will feature Pretty Yende as the titular heroine Marie. Starring as Tonio and tasked with singing nine high C’s will be tenor Javier Camarena. Other cast members {…}
Of Donizetti’s major comedies, “La Fille du Régiment” is a unique work. Debuting on Feb. 11, 1840, this is one of the few French-language operas by Donizetti in the standard repertory. It was also his first opera set to French text. It has remained a fixture of the standard repertory over the years. There is an Italian-language version, but it {…}
This review was written as a collaboration between David & Francisco Salazar for the performance on Feb. 7, 2019. Over the course of five months the Metropolitan Opera has shown everything from Verismo, French, Classical, Contemporary, Russian, Hungarian and German opera; there has also been a solid abundance of Verdi opera. What has sorely been missing are works that have {…}
Kathleen Turner is set to join the cast of Donizetti’s “La Fille du Régiment” at the Metropolitan Opera. The Metropolitan Opera announced that Turner will perform the non-singing role of the Duchess of Krakenthorp. Turner will perform alongside Pretty Yende in the role of Marie, and Javier Camarena as Tonio. Meanwhile, Stephanie Blythe will play the Marquise of Berkenfield, with Alessandro Cornelio {…}
It was 2009 and Andriana Chuchman was a Young Artist at the Ryan Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Then she landed a massive experience to do something she had never done – take on the title role in a major opera in a professional setting. The Edmonton Opera was looking for someone to take on the role of {…}
Every year, Metropolitan Opera audiences get pumped for a few things. But not many carry as much excitement as the Live in HD series. Every year the Met chooses a handful (or two) performances to showcase around the globe on the silver screen. Those are usually high profile presentations of new productions with opera’s greatest stars. And as you might {…}
Donizetti’s “La Fille du Régiment” isn’t anywhere near his greatest opera. And yet it remains a modern favorite. Part of the major charm comes from the melodic invention that he employs. He threw caution to the winds for much of this French work and just had a ton of fun. Other reasons for its popularity could be more specific in {…}
Juan Diego Flórez is one of the greatest tenors in the world. Of that there can be no doubt. Born on Jan. 13, the tenor has gone on to establish himself at every major opera house in the world in an ever-evolving repertoire that ranges from Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini all the way to the great French composers such as {…}
Luciano Pavarotti is one of the greatest tenors of all-time, his artistry leaving a massive legacy behind him. The tenor, born on Oct 12, 1935 in Modena, will always be remembered for his charming disposition which was matched by the color of his voice. His ability to transcend the opera stage and reach millions around the world with a variety {…}
Natalie Dessay may have retired from the opera stage, but her art continues to live on. And while she admits to never having felt comfortable on the stage, her performances show otherwise. Born on April 19, 1965, OperaWire takes a look at some of her unforgettable roles on stage. Olympia in ‘Les Contes d’Hoffmann’ The role of Olympia was perhaps the {…}