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 {…}
Feeling gloomy today? Or perhaps on the ultimate high? It’s all very operatic. The world of this famed art form is full of intense emotions with major characters taking painstaking time to delineate what they are feeling and how intensely. These powerful solo are amazing ways to connect with each of us on a truly immersive and visceral level, allowing {…}
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf was one of the most refined and elegant singers of the 20th century. Born on Dec. 9, 1915, in Jarotschin, the soprano performed her first opera in 1928 and began her formal musical studies at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik in 1934. She was actually set on this path after her father was dismissed from his post as the {…}
Act two of “Le Nozze di Figaro” opens in a modern living room with sleekly designed furniture, surrounding a polar bear skin rug. On the back wall is a very large picture of an elephant crashing into the room. By Act three the same elephant is now standing inside the room. It has grown substantially. It is now a giant {…}
The New Generation Festival has announced its 2019 program, which will take place at the Gardens of the Palazzo Corsini. Per a press release, the 2018 festival was a massive success with audience members from over 25 countries and 800 applications from musicians under the age of 35 from over 78 different countries. The opening night of the festival will {…}
Operantics has announced that its 2019 production will be Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro.” This will be the company’s fifth season and the first time that it stages a production with orchestra. Luke Spicer will work as Music director and conductor for the Mozart classic. The news was announced during the company’s Gala Concert “Opera in the Gallery.” The funds {…}
The San Diego Opera has announced that bass-baritone Evan Hughes, will replace Nicholas Brownlee in the company’s upcoming production of “Le Nozze di Figaro.” Per a press release, Brownlee, who was set to interpret the title role of the Mozart classic, was released due to a scheduling conflict. This will mark Evans’ debut with the company and he will be {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features the 2018 French {…}
Born on June 17, 1967, German soprano Dorothea Röschmann has enjoyed a solid career to date. The soprano studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg before heading to Bremen, Los Angeles, Tel Aviva, and London. Her 1995 Salzburg debut as Susanna in “Le Nozze di Figaro” gave her international repute and since, she has performed all over the {…}
The Florida Grand Opera has announced its 2018-19 season, featuring four productions. The season opens with Puccini’s timeless tale “La Bohème.” Performances will be held in Miami and then in Fort Lauderdale with a cast to be announced at a later moment. Performance Dates: Nov. 3-17, 2018 Mozart’s masterpiece “Le Nozze di Figaro” follows with such famous arias as “Voi {…}
Is “Le Nozze di Figaro” the greatest opera of all time? A fair share of artists certainly uphold this belief of the Mozart and Da Ponte work, which premiered on May 1, 1786. And why not? The work features one glorious piece of music after another in a complex plot featuring some of opera’s most iconic characters. Throw in Mozart’s {…}