(Photo: Wiener Staatsoper Michael Poehn) Premiered in 1863, “Les Pêcheurs de perles” is one of Georges Bizet’s earliest operas, composed more than a decade before his masterpiece “Carmen.” Set on the exoticized shores of ancient Ceylon, it combines lush lyricism with themes of friendship, desire, and betrayal. Though initially overshadowed by Bizet’s later success, the opera has gradually earned recognition {…}
Mezzo.TV is set to present a new production of Bizet’s “Les pêcheurs de perles.” The new production will be broadcast on May 29 from the Wiener Staatsoper in a new production by Ersan Mondtag. Daniele Rustioni conducts an all-star that includes Kristina Mkhitaryan as Leila, Juan Diego Flórez as Nadir, Ludovic Tézier as Zurga, and Ivo Stanchev as Nourabad. Mondtag {…}
(Credit: Werner Kmetitsch) The Grand Théâtre de Genève has announced that the performance of Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles” on Dec. 26 will go on without an orchestra in the pit. “For safety reasons related to COVID, the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande has determined that the risk of being present in the orchestra pit is too great, and has {…}
Throughout its history, the $244.4 billion film industry, has relied heavily on historical embellishment for its “narrative spice,” these choices often creating ethical challenges. For example, despite being crowned Best Picture at the 2013 Oscar Awards, the harrowing film “Argo,” a tale about the ersatz American film crew tasked with saving six captive Americans from Iran, is chock-full of historical {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a film section or a film in its entirety and highlight 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 Florian {…}
(Credit: Fay Fox) The Opéra National Du Rhin in France has announced that soprano Joyce El-Khoury’s recital has been canceled due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns and the current lockdown in France. The recital was set to be held on March 26 and El-Khoury was supposed to present a mix of classic, traditional and Lebanese music. The French government imposed a {…}
(Credit: Gran Teatre del Liceu official website) Tenor Celso Albelo will be performing the New Years concert with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Las Palmas. Due to COVID-19 measures in Spain, a total of four performances will be offered on Dec. 26, 27, and 28 2020, with two concerts on Dec. 27. Albelo will be joined on stage by singers Patricia {…}
(Credit: © Pascal Albandopooulos) Opéra National du Rhin has announced that the Slovakian tenor Pavol Breslik has canceled his recital in Strasbourg on Oct. 21, 2020. The opera house stated that the reason for cancelation is the indisposition, not COVID-19 related. The cancelation comes after Breslik pulled out of the last two performances of Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles” on {…}
Staatsoper unter der Linden has announced that tenor Charles Castronovo will fully take over the role of Nadir in Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles” on Oct. 19 and Oct. 24, 2020. He will replace tenor Pavol Breslik in the role. The American tenor already stepped in for the vocal part of the Oct. 17, 2020 performance, while Breslik acted the {…}
The Staatsoper unter der Linden has announced that tenor Charles Castronovo will take over the singing part of the role of Nadir in a performance of Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles,” replacing tenor Pavol Breslik. Breslik will still appear onstage, acting the role of Nadir. Castronovo will join a cast that includes Olga Peretyatko, Alfredo Daza and Paul Gay. Victorien {…}
(Credit: Staatsoper unter der Linden Facebook page) The Staatsoper unter der Linden in Berlin has announced changes to its 2020-21 season. The productions of Verdi’s “Macbeth,” Wagner’s “Tannhäuser,” and Britten’s “The Turn of The Screw” have been canceled, per an official press release. Instead, the opera house will offer three presentations of the gala concert “Viva Verdi!,” on Oct. 4, {…}