The Metropolitan Opera has announced its next two weeks of weekly streams which will kick off with an entire week dedicated to opera’s greatest rivalries. Then the company will pay tribute to one of the greatest stars of the last few decades. Here is a look. Week 43– Epic Rivalries Monday, January 4 – Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur Starring Anna Netrebko, Anita {…}
This review belongs to the opening night on the 10th December “La Cenerentola” is one of Rossini’s most enduring works and has remained a fixture of the standard repertory since since its premiere in 1817. Based on the iconic Cinderella fairy tale, it has brought out the best in directors over the ages and singers who revel in Rossini’s joyous {…}
The 16th annual OPERA NEWS awards have been announced. Editor in Chief F. Paul Driscoll announced the recipients who will include mezzo-soprano Janet Baker, mezzo-soprano and artistic director Cecilia Bartoli and tenor, producer and activist Lawrence Brownlee. This year the annual awards ceremony will be held virtually on April 18, 2021 with a special musical tribute. In a statement, Driscoll said, “This year {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced the 2020-21 season encore radio broadcast. The company will broadcast encore recordings starting Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. with Mary Jo Heath hosting and Ira Siff as a commentator for the broadcasts. The broadcasts will also include dynamic intermission features, live backstage interviews with artists, and the ever-popular Opera Quiz. The broadcasts begin with Prokofiev’s “War {…}
This week’s streaming options include two celebrations of legendary artists, a sweet double bill, two powerful modern works, an iconic diva in her signature role, a star-studded Strauss masterpiece, lots of Bel Canto, and a hotly anticipated recital. Without further ado, let’s jump in. Beniamino Gigli, 100 Years at the Met – Teatro Grattacielo (NOW) Nov. 26 marks the 100th {…}
This week audiences can experience dueling tenors, two Christmas albums, two baroque albums, two choral albums, and a pianist interpreting operatic favorites. Here is what you can stream this week. Amici e Rivali Michael Spyres and Lawrence Brownlee celebrate the art of the trailblazing star singers of Rossini’s time in a new album for Erato. The recording showcases arias, duets, {…}
On Nov. 13, 2020, renowned tenors Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres are set to release their new album “Amici e Rivali” on Erato. The selections draw from seven of Rossini’s operas, with an approach that not only celebrates his music but pays homage to the artists of the composer’s time who interpreted these works, such as Andrea Nozzi, Giovanni David, {…}
(Credit: Dominic M. Mercier) Opera Philadelphia is set to stream “Cycles of My Being,” by composer and multi-instrumentalist Tyshawn Sorey. The piece, which features lyrics by poet Terrance Hayes, will be streamed in a new film presentation featuring tenor Lawrence Brownlee on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, on the Opera Philadelphia Channel. Sorey and Brownlee will be joined by violinist Randall {…}
Lawrence Brownlee will take a starring role this fall in the debut of the Opera Philadelphia Channel, a global platform that will bring a robust 2020-2021 season into opera lovers’ homes via their television screens and streaming devices. The tenor will take center stage in the first performance created for the channel, “Lawrence Brownlee & Friends in Philadelphia.” The recital and {…}
On Sept. 18, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg died at the age of 87. Ginsburg was known as a fearless leader who fought for gender equality and women’s rights and served on the Sumpreme Court for 27 years. She was also a lover of opera and frequently attended performances. She even made her operatic debut in 2016 in a {…}
With opera companies returning in full force digitally, this week’s selections will highlight a mix of repertory staples with some unique and experimental new works. Before we kick off our list, don’t forget to check out important discussions taking place regarding issues of race and equality in opera with such programs as Karen Slack’s “KikiKonversations,” Kenneth Overton’s “Black Opera Live,” and Mark {…}
