(Credit: Marty Sohl / Metropolitan Opera) On Nov. 12, the Metropolitan Opera revived its production of Puccini’s “Tosca” to celebrate 100 years of the composer’s death. It was the second cast in the season following an acclaimed turn from Aleksandra Kurzak in September. For this evening, the Met put its hopes on what, on paper, looked like an all-star cast {…}
(Photo: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera’s 2024–25 Live in HD season will continue with Puccini’s “Tosca” on Nov. 23. The HD will star Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen in the title role, tenor Freddie De Tommaso in his company debut as Cavaradossi, and baritone Quinn Kelsey as Scarpia. Bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi returns as the Sacristan and Yannick Nézet-Séguinconducts David {…}
(Credit: brsorchestra /Severin Vogl) On Nov. 1 and 3, Lise Davidsen sang the second act of Wagner’s “Tristan and Isolde,” with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. It was the first time the soprano took on the iconic role and was one of the most anticipated moments of the season. Davidsen was joined by Stuart Skelton, Karen Cargill, {…}
(Credits: Hermann und Clärchen Baus) Giacomo Puccini’s “Tosca,” adapted from a play by Victorien Sardou, was famously criticized by American musicologist Joseph Kerman, who dismissed it as a “shabby little shocker” and predicted its swift decline from the operatic canon. Despite this, “Tosca” endures as a favorite among audiences, thanks to Puccini’s brilliant music and masterful orchestration that elevate it {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond/Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to present Puccini’s “Tosca” for 13 performances. The production, which runs between Sept. 25 and Jan. 23, will feature three casts. The opening cast in September–October, will star soprano Aleksandra Kurzak in the title role alongside tenor SeokJong Baek and baritone George Gagnidze. Xian Zhang and Marco Armiliato conduct. OperaWire raved {…}
(Credit: Courtesy of MWA Management) Lise Davidsen is set to headline a new release of Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” for Decca Classics. The recording was made during concert performances with the Oslo Opera on August 22 and 24, 2024. The new release will feature Davidsen alongside Gerald Finley and Stanislas de Barbeyrac. Edward Gardner, the Oslo Opera House’s new music {…}
The Metropolitan Opera is set to open the 2026-27 season with Verdi’s “Macbeth.” In a statement to the Associated Press, the Met noted that Davidsen would star in Verdi’s “Macbeth” opening the 2026-27 season on Sept. 22, 2026, with Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting. The role is one of the many Davidsen will sing at the Met in the next seasons. The {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Yuval Sharon will be directing new productions of “Tristan und Isolde” and “Der Ring des Nibelungen.” Sharon will make his Met debut during the 2025−26 season with a new production of “Tristan und Isolde” (conducted by Nézet-Séguin, with Lise Davidsen as Isolde). Then in 2026-27, he debuts his new Ring cycle with Davidsen as {…}
(Credit: W. Hoesl) Lise Davidsen as the headliner in Tchaikovsky’s “Pique Dame” at the Munich Opera Festival is an apt addition. It is a production full of theatrical effects created by Benedict Andrews with full-screen projections of Lisa in various enticing poses, including cars serving as platforms for singers and chorus-women, a bleacher-filled chorus partially masked, and G-string quasi-strippers. There {…}
Great Performances is set to present the Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2024 on August 23, 2024. The concert, which took place on June 7, 2024, focused on popular works from the 19th and 20th centuries that highlight Europe’s rich musical heritage. The concert took place from Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace Gardens and celebrated the bicentennial of distinguished Czech composer Bedřich {…}
Medici.tv will stream the Vienna Philharmonic’s Summer Night Concert on June 7, 2024. The concert will feature conductor Andris Nelsons and soprano Lise Davidsen, who takes on arias from “Tannhäuser” and “La Forza del Destino.” This year’s program will also focus on popular works from the 19th and 20th centuries that highlight Europe’s rich musical heritage. The bicentennial of the {…}