OPERA America will present soprano Lisette Oropesa in conversation with Chief Programs Officer Jamelah Rimawi at the National Opera Center in Manhattan. Oropesa, who will be appearing at the Metropolitan Opera as Violetta in Verdi’s “La traviata” this spring, will reflect on her career, artistry, and creative process. Set for March 25, 2026 at 7 p.m., the event will be {…}
(Credit: Javier del Real | Teatro Real) In recent years, Madrid’s Teatro Real has programmed many “operas in concert.” Sometimes they’re well-known, such as “Orfeo ed Euridice,” “Idomeneo,” or “Die Fledermaus” that I attended at the venerable theatre over the last three seasons. On occasion, they present more obscure works, such as Verdi’s early opera “I masnadieri”(1847). In the past, {…}
Lisette Oropesa made history during the Feb. 10, 2026 performance of “I Masnadieri” at the Teatro Real. Following her cabaletta “Carlo vive? O caro accento, melodia di paradiso,” the soprano received a rousing ovation that led to an encore of the aria. The moment marks the third time the soprano gives an encore in an opera at the Teatro Real. {…}
Soprano Lisette Oropesa is set to be the featured performer of Palm Beach Opera‘s 2026 Gala. The event is set for on March 2, 2026 at The Breakers Palm Beach and features the famed soprano alongside pianist Michael Borowitz. Oropesa is currently in the midst of a run of “I Puritani” at the Metropolitan Opera, where she will return later {…}
(Photo: Ken Howard / Met Opera) Less is more! That was what Sandro Sequi did well in his traditional 1976 production of “I Puritani” at the Metropolitan Opera. Originally staged for Joan Sutherland, the production was a vehicle for the great divas of the Bel Canto repertoire. And while it was admittedly a product of its time, the last three {…}
(Photo: Paola Kudacki / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera’s 2025–26 Live in HD season will continue with Bellini’s “I Puritani” on Jan. 10, 2026. The company will showcase the first new production of this opera in nearly 50 years and will feature soprano Lisette Oropesa as Elvira, opposite tenor Lawrence Brownlee as Arturo. They will be joined by baritone Artur {…}
It is time to wrap up the year and look back at our favorite moments and performers. After releasing our favorite performances of 2025 and showcasing our rising stars of the year, it’s time for OperaWire’s annual tradition of naming our top singers of the year, honoring the opera stars that had major, and in some cases, career-defining, years. So without further ado {…}
The Arena di Verona has announced its 2026 season. The season will open with a new production of Verdi’s “La Traviata.” Michele Spotti and Francesco Ivan Ciampa conduct the new production starring Martina Russomanno, Gilda Fiume and Rosa Feola. The casts also include Yusif Eyvazov, Galeano Salas, Francesco Meli, René Barbera, Adam Smith, Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Mihai Damian, Youngjun Park, Ludovic {…}
(Credit: Paola Kudacki / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to present a new production of Bellini’s “I Puritani.” This will make the first new staging of the opera in 50 years with Charles Edwards directing the new production. Edwards known for his stage and set designs and previously created scenery for four Met productions by David McVicar. Lisette {…}
The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2026 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Franck Ollu conducts Pascal Dusapin and Rita de Letteriis’s “Passion” starring Sarah Aristidou, Georg Nigl, and Schola Heidelberg. Performance Date: July 23, 2026 Asmik Grigorian stars as Bizet’s “Carmen” alongside Jonathan Tetelman, Kristina Mkhitaryan, and Davide Luciano. Teodor Currentzis conducts the production by Gabriela {…}
(Photo credits: Harris, Lainez, & Placek) Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute is set to present its SongStudio from Jan. 12–18. The program explores the future of the vocal recital through intensive workshops with eight emerging vocalists and eight collaborative pianists from around the world. Together with leading artists, collaborative pianists, and coaches, the participants will spend the week receiving instruction {…}