(Photos: Clive Barda) With a running time of about one hour 20 minutes, Rossini’s “Adina” is a little too short to justify presenting on its own, especially if the intention is to charge full ticket prices. But then, if it is going to be staged as part of a double bill, the question arises, with what? It is not as {…}
The Teatro Massimo di Palermo has announced the 2020 season, which will feature a number of new productions, stars, and concert performances. Opera The season opens with Wagner’s “Parsifal” conducted by Omer Meir Wellber and directed by Graham Vick. The work stars Daniel Kirch in the title role, Eva Maria Westbroek, Evgeny Nikitin, John Relyea, and Thomas Gazheli. Performance Dates: Jan. {…}
This week features three major releases. Among them will be solo album debuts and one very intriguing world premiere that should spark the interest of contemporary opera lovers. P R I S I M Composer and sound artist Ellen Reid’s opera “p r i s m” is set to be released by Decca Gold. The opera, with a libretto by Roxie Perkins, was commissioned {…}
The weekend is here and there are five star-studded operas that we think you cannot miss. Here is a look at our recommendations. Adriana Lecouvreur – Salzburg Festival, Austria Anna Netrebko brings her signature role in Cilea’s masterpiece to Salzburg for the first time with Anita Rachvelishvili. When the two divas performed the opera at the Metropolitan Opera, OperaWire noted {…}
(Credit Robert Workman) First performed at Glyndebourne in 1954 and revived now twice, both in 2016 and 2019, Rossini’s “Il barbiere di Siviglia” has consistently proven to be just the right dose of comic relief within a well-rounded opera season. With the production featuring Director Annabel Arden’s 2016 dreams coming to life again in 2019, at the hands of revival {…}
Five new DVDs are set for release this week. They include four rarely performed works and one of the most popular operas in the repertoire. Here is a look. Das Wunder Der Heliane Naxos is set to release Korngold’s rarely performed opus, which was recorded at the Deutsche Oper Berlin’s 2018 festival season. The acclaimed performance stars American soprano Sara Jakubiak, {…}
Prima Classic has announced Levy Sekgapane’s first solo album. The new album, entitled “Giovin Fiamma,” will represent the second album for the start-up company and will showcase the tenor in arias by Rossini. The recording will be dedicated to arias from “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” “Zelmira,” “Otello,” “La Donna del Lago,” “La Cenerentola,” “L’Italiana in Algeri,” and “Semiramide” among others. {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2019-20 season, which is undeniably one of the biggest there is. It includes eight new productions to go along with a plethora of revivals. New Productions Jonas Kaufmann and Marlis Petersen headline a new production of Korngold’s “Die Tote Stadt” with Simon Stone directing. Kirill Petrenko conducts the production which also stars Andrzej Filonczyk, Jennifer Johnston, {…}
Is it possible to create a first-rate theatrical experience when staging an opera in which the composer has not yet found his feet? The question is asked in response to the Donizetti Opera Festival’s decision to mount a production of “Enrico di Borgogna,” the composer’s second complete opera and the first of his works to be given a staging premiered {…}
This weekend, it’s all about new productions. From South America to Europe, three of Verdi’s greatest opera are getting new productions. Meanwhile, Saint-Saëns’ masterpiece is getting a rare performance while the Festival Donizetti is in full swing. Check it out. La Traviata – Teatro Municipal Enrique Buenaventura, Colombia Federico Figueroa directs a new production of “La Traviata” in Cali starring Gabriela {…}
It’s a Rossini-filled week with the Rossini Opera Festival opening and Australia also opening a Rossini production. The weekend also sees two of today’s biggest divas performing. Find out what’s in store. Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov – Teatro Colón, Argentina Anna Netrebko makes her debut at the Teatro Colón in Argentina alongside her husband Yusif Eyvazov. The concert will {…}