Lise Davidsen has announced that she is pregnant with twins and will therefore withdraw from her performances following the Metropolitan Opera’s “Fidelio” production. In a statement, she said, “Unfortunately I have to cancel my shows for this year – after the middle of March – and I’m sorry for disappointing people who have already bought tickets. I’m cancelling for a {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to perform Beethoven’s “Fidelio” reviving its Jürgen Flimm production. Last revived in 2017, the production features set designer Robert Israel, costume designer Florence von Gerkan, and lighting designer Duane Schuler. The cast will include Lise Davidsen in her Metropolitan Opera role debut as Leonora. The soprano has performed the role to {…}
Anna Netrebko has canceled her role debut in “Ariadne auf Naxos” at the Wiener Staatsoper. The soprano released a statement noting, “I am regrettably obliged to withdraw from my January performances in ‘Ariadne auf Naxos’ at the Wiener Staatsoper, which would have marked my role debut. Ill health this month compromised the preparation time required before starting rehearsals just after {…}
The Verbier Festival has announced its 2025 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. The Verbier Festival Orchestra and Barbara Hannigan perform works by Berlioz, Haydn, Copland, Rodgers, and Bill Elliot. Performance Date: July 17, 2025 Thomas Hampson and Ksenija Sidorova perform works by Schubert and Weill. Performance Date: July 20, 2025 The VF Academy Atelier Lyrique and {…}
(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 {…}