(Photo: Agnese Zeltina Latvian National Opera) Latvian National Opera’s new production of Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” was no simple reflection on the poet’s failed love affairs, in which the Muse/Nicklausse attempts to convince Hoffmann to forsake love’s attraction in favor of poetry. Rather, the director, Aik Karapetian, had an intriguing and very different reading in mind that turned it into {…}
This week the Salzburg Festival opens a new production of “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” with an all-star cast that includes some of the best performers of the work. Among them is Kathryn Lewek, who will be taking on the challenge of portraying all four heroines, something that has always been seen as rare and complex. In preparation for the roles, Lewek {…}
The Palm Beach Opera has announced its 2024 season featuring three beloved masterworks. In a statement said PBO’s General and Artistic Director David Walker, “After the incredible success of our 2023 Season, which surpassed revenue goals and welcomed many first-time audiences, we are thrilled to follow up with such a powerhouse season. Featuring three of the most illustrious and significant {…}
(Credit: ©Gemma Escribano) After having performed all over the world at the Teatro Regio di Parma, Donizetti Opera Festival, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Teatro San Carlo, Teatro Massimo di Palermo, Teatro Regio di Torino, and Royal Opera Muscat, among many others, there can be no doubt that Marko Mimica is one of opera’s rising stars. And this month, the bass-baritone will {…}
After struggling with the general rise in COVID infections, the Palau de Les Arts managed to lift its curtain to present “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” on the 23rd of January, after cancelling the original premiere date of January 20th. Expectations were high, as this production used one of the most complete critical editions (by M. Kaye & J.C. Keck), which contains {…}
(Credit: Hungarian State Opera) The Hungarian State Opera has announced an upcoming run of Offenbach’s “Les contes d’Hoffmann.” These performances of the famed Offenbach work will be the first at the opera house in 25 years. The opera will have two casts, and soprano Klára Kolonits will perform the four heroines alongside Péter Kálmán as four villains, Viktória Mester in {…}
(Credit: Studioline Photography) The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced that soprano Elena Sancho Pereg will perform the role of Stella in the upcoming production of Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” on Jan. 18, 19, 25, 28 & 31, 2021. Soprano Adriana González must spend 10 days in preventive isolation, in accordance with the COVID-19 regulations. González will perform the role {…}
(Credit: Guergana Damianova / Opera de Paris) Attending a French opera in Paris is always a remarkable experience; in this case, as the conductor and most of the cast were French you get a special taste of French style and diction that is difficult to find anywhere else. On this occasion, the Paris Opera mounted Robert Carsen’s famed production of {…}
The French Institute / Alliance Française (FIAF) will present an HD screening of Robert Carson’s production of Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffman,” performed at the Paris Opera during the 2016/17 season. The screening, a co-presentation with American Friends of The Paris Opera & Ballet in celebration of the company’s 350th anniversary, will be introduced by conductor Joseph Colaneri. Starring Ramón Vargas, the {…}