This week a new production of Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda” is set to open at the famed Salzburg Easter Festival. The opera, which is rarely performed, required six of the greatest voices and the festival lined up a star cast including rising star Eve-Maud Hubeaux, who is set to portray her first Laura. Over the past years, the mezzo has become {…}
Saioa Hernández has canceled her performance of “la Giocona” at Les Choregies d’Orange Festival. The soprano took to social media and said, “for personal reasons I have been forced to give up my participation in the Les Choregies d’Orange Festival, in the only performance of La Gioconda scheduled for August 6th, 2022. I’m sorry not being able to meet the {…}
(Credit: © Marc Brenner) “La Gioconda,” or “‘The Ballad singer” to give the opera its usual English translation, actually translates to, “The Happy Woman.” Irony overload, indeed, for an opera infused with sin, bitter revenge, betrayal, adultery, suicide, murder, cruelty and the Roman Inquisition. “La Gioconda” is a bit of a bizarre opera, by any standards. Encapsulating passion, violence and ultimately tragedy it {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has announced a cast change for its production of Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda.” The company noted via social media, “due to a sudden illness tenor Fabio Sartori has to withdraw from La Gioconda’s production. La Scala thanks Stefano La Colla to accepted on short notice to take the role of Enzo Grimaldi.” La Colla is an Italian {…}
(Credit: Chorégies d’Orange official website) Les Chorégies d’Orange Festival has announced its 2022 slate, featuring two operas and international stars. For the purpose of this article we will focus on vocal performances only. Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore” spotlights René Barbera as Nemorino, Andrzej Filończyk as Belcore, Erwin Schrott as Dulcamara, Anna Nalbandiants as Giannetta, and Pretty Yende as Adina. Giacomo Sagripanti {…}
The Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse has announced that Roberto Scandiuzzi will sing the role of Alvise in the company’s upcoming production of “La Gioconda.” The bass will replace Marco Spotti, who was forced to withdraw from the production due to illness. Scandiuzzi is a well-known bass whose repertoire ranges from Verdi to the French and Russian repertoire. He is {…}
The Théâtre Capitole de Toulouse has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda.” The French company announced that Varduhi Abrahayman will no longer perform the role of Laura. As a result, Judit Kutasi will take over. Kutasi has performed “La Gioconda” at the Deutsche Oper Berlin in the role of La Cieca and Laura. She {…}
(Credits: Michael Cooper / Dario Acosta / Sonya Yoncheva official website / © Gregor Hohenberg / Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Music Entertainment) The Teatro alla Scala in Milan has announced its 2021-22 season, featuring some of the greatest performers in the world. Here is the full slate. Operas Anna Netrebko and Luca Salsi open the season in Verdi‘s “Macbeth” in {…}
On May 6, 2021, the Sofia Opera will celebrate the 80th birthday of soprano Ghena Dimitrova and 70th birthday of tenor Rumen Doykov with a filmed version of their 1999 production of Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda.” Directed by Plamen Kartaloff and conducted by Georgi Notev, the cast featured Dimitrova, Doykov, Nicola Ghiuselev, Stefka Mineva, Zhivko Pranchev, and Elena Chavdarova. Dimitrova first {…}
(Credit: © Dario Acosta) The Teatro alla Scala has announced that celebrated Russian soprano Anna Netrebko will return to the stage on Oct. 21, 2020, following a recovery from COVID-19-induced hospitalization. Netrebko will perform a program that includes “Ritorna vincitor” from “Aida,” and “Tu che le vanità” from “Don Carlo” by Verdi; “Suicidio!” from Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda;” “Poveri fiori” from {…}
The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced two cast changes for its “La Gioconda” concerts. The company announced that George Gagnidze will replace Roman Burdenko as Barnaba and Iréne Theorin will replace Irina Churilova in the title role. Theorin has performed the role of “La Gioconda” at the Gran Teatre del Liceu and is well known for her German repertoire. She has {…}