The Tiroler Festspiele Erl has announced a cast change for its Jan. 4, 2025 performance of “I Puritani.” The company said, “the second concert performance of Vincenzo Bellini’s opera ‘I Puritani’ will also feature a different singer than planned in the role of Elvira – and one of the most sought-after sopranos has once again been able to step in. {…}
(Photo: After having opened the season with his production of “Adriana Lecouvreur,” David McVicar returned to Teatro Real for his new production of “Maria Stuarda,” co-produced with Teatre del Liceu, Donizetti Opera Festival-Bergamo and Finland National Opera. McVicar is one of the greatest directors of this generation and his productions are shown at major opera houses around the world. He {…}
With Bellini’s “I Puritani” one steps into the heartland of Italian bel canto: The ensembles are mesmerizingly beautiful, the vocal lines infinitely refined, and the orchestration – with its mood painting role – proves a proto-dramatic foundation to the unfolding of the Romantic intrigue, prone to inspiring the operatic vocabulary of subsequent generations, and of Verdi in particular. Needless to {…}
The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2025 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Opera Bas Wiegers conducts Michael Jarrell’s “Kassandra” with actress Dagmar Manzel and the Ensemble Modern. Performance Date: July 23, 2025 Salvatore Sciarrino’s “Macbeth” will be conducted by Vimbayi Kaziboni. Cody Quattlebaum, Alice Rossi, Leonardo Cortellazzi, Iris van Wijnen, and Davide Giangregorio. Performance Date: July 25, {…}
Lisette Oropesa is set to present a concert on Nov. 6 at the ABAO Bilbao Opera. The Soprano will perform at the Sociedad Filarmónica de Bilbao, in a recital alongside pianist Alessandro Praticò, who will debut at the ABAO Bilbao Opera. The soprano will perform music by Ravel, Delibes, Massenet, Bizet, Meyerbeer, Donizetti, Mercandante, and Verdi. In a statement on social {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. It’s a star-studded lineup of releases with Zarzuela, bel canto, modern works, and experimental albums by leading opera singers. Mis Amores son las Flores Lisette Oropesa releases her latest album dedicated to Zarzuela. In a statement, the soprano said, “I’m so happy to {…}
The Festspielhaus Baden-Baden has announced its 2025 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Camilla Nylund, Andreas Schager, and Pietari Inkinen perform an evening of Wagner, Strauss, Kálmán, Lehar, Performance Dates: Jan. 12, 2025 Zum Rahmenprogramm des Festivals Gianandrea Noseda, Hanna-Elisabeth Müller, and Philharmonia Zürich lead an all-Strauss program. Performance Dates: Feb. 22, 2025 Andris Nelsons conducts Mahler’s {…}
(Photo: Arts Fotografía) Palau de Les Arts opened the season with Massenet’s “Manon,” in a production from the Paris Opera, and two international stars in the main roles: Lisette Oropesa and Charles Castronovo. Vincent Huguet directed the Paris Opera production. He set the action in Paris around 1920, in the Charleston era, and introduced the revolutionary artist Josephine Baker (who {…}
The Opera Awards which took place at the Bayerische Staatsoper on Oct. 2 has announced its 2024 winners. The top prize of Opera Company went to the Komische Oper Berlin while Simone Young took home the coveted Conductor of the Year award. Lisette Oropesa won the Female Singer of the Year while Benjamin Bernheim was awarded the Male Singer of {…}
(Credit: Teatro dell’Opera di Roma/Teatro alla Scala/Paris Opera) Over the past years, many coloratura and lyric sopranos have risen to fame and created unforgettable portrayals of the repertoire. But few have left as big an impact as Lisette Oropesa. The American soprano has been hailed for her interpretative depth and her incredible acting. She has become a mainstay at such {…}
The International Opera Awards has revealed its 2024 awards. The awards ceremony is set to place at the Bayerische Staatsoper on Oct. 2, 2024.BBC Radio 3’s Petroc Trelawny will again host the awards ceremony. There will also be performances featuring opera stars and singers from the Bayerische Staatsoper Young Artists programme. Here is a rundown of all the categories: CONDUCTOR – Thomas {…}