“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 Roberto Benigni’s “La {…}
“To see the elephants. The lights. The action. I was sold. I didn’t understand why I had to go to school because I knew what I wanted right away. I thought it was the most amazing magical night ever.” That was mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught’s description of her first ever experience at the Arena di Verona as a 13-year-old. The Dundalk, {…}
Will Bartlett Sher’s production of Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” become one of the Metropolitan Opera’s more beloved productions now that eight seasons have passed since it debuted? It is hard to say considering that the final work of Hoffmann remains a mystery that was completed after his death. To recap, the Cologne-born Offenbach died before he completed the score for {…}
“Les Contes d’Hoffmann,” or “The Tales of Hoffmann,” has always been a Metropolitan Opera favorite, receiving performances in every single decade since it 1913 debut at the big house. The opera returns this season, opening on Sept. 26 for nine performances featuring star tenor Vittorio Grigolo in the lead role and one which he has performed previously at the house {…}
Sony Classical will be releasing the Royal Opera House’s “Les Contes D’Hoffmann.” The production stars Vittorio Grigolo in the title role as well as Sonya Yoncheva as Antonia. Kate Lindsey, Thomas Hampson, Christine Rice, and Sofia Fomina also star in the production, which was conducted by Evelino Pido. When the production opened last fall, critics were ecstatic and said, “Vittorio Grigolo {…}
On April 21, 2017, the Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) will debut Jacques Offenbach’s “The Tales of Hoffmann.” Kicking off his twentieth season with the company, HOT’s very own Artistic Director, Henry Akina, will run the production. Maestro Vincent de Kort will conduct the production and join Akina once again after the duo recently collaborated on HOT’s acclaimed production of “Siren {…}
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 {…}
The Easter and Passover holidays seem to have frozen up the opera world this weekend with only a handful of performances featured around the country. It’s a major turnaround from last weekend when a dozen companies were putting on a show. The Metropolitan Opera continues its unstoppable season with three performances. Friday is the final hurrah for Willy Decker’s production {…}
Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolo are major favorites right now in the opera world, the two joining forces for a beloved run of “Roméo et Juliette” in New York this past winter before continuing their run of strong performances together in Los Angeles Opera’s production of “Les Contes d’Hoffmann.” Now the duo will give fans more reasons to love them {…}
Diana Damrau is no longer singing all four heroines in Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” in Los Angeles this week. The soprano was originally slated to take on all four characters, a feat that is growing rarer and rarer these days, but recent casting details established that the German soprano will only take on Antonia and Stella in her LA Debut. {…}
Vittorio Grigolo is one of the most acclaimed tenors of his generation and has already been hailed as the successor to Luciano Pavarotti, his greatest qualities including his rampant energy and charisma on stage. On Feb. 19 Grigolo celebrates his 40th birthday and as a result OperaWire takes a look at some his most acclaimed roles The Duke in “Rigoletto” Vittorio Grigolo {…}