(Photo Credit: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) On Nov. 16, 2019, the Metropolitan Opera premiered this season’s production of Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro.” Amidst the modern set of Richard Eyre’s production, the stellar cast of artists brought no shortage of laughter while delivering a musically splendid performance. Making his conducting debut with the company was Antonello Manacorda who was {…}
The Metropolitan Opera will revive Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” this Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. The famed worked has appeared at the Met 494 times to date with the first performance coming in 1894. This season’s revival will feature 15 total performances divided up between two conductors. Antonello Manacorda, in his company debut, will get the first slew of shows {…}
October is at an end and opera season is in full force. This weekend features a plethora of fascinating options across the country, making it truly challenging to single out a few specific performances. And despite the high quality all around, we zeroed in on a few showcases that we feel really rise to the top. Here are our top {…}
(Credit: Metropolitan Opera) The Opéra de Montréal and the Orchestre Métropolitain are set to come together for their first co-production with Beethoven’s “Fidelio.” The concert version of the famed opera, which is set to take place on Oct. 25 and 27 at the Maison Symphonique, will feature maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin at the podium; the famed conductor was recently awarded a {…}
The Vienna State Opera will showcase “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” as part of its live streaming service on Sept. 15, 2019. The performance will feature Dmitry Korchak, Luca Pisaroni, Olga Peretyatko, and Gaëlle Arquez. Frédéric Chaslin conducts a production by Andrei Serban. Of the opening performance, OperaWire’s review noted, “Overall this “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” was an enjoyable evening with a standout {…}
(Credits: Wiener Staatsoper / Michael Pöhn) “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” is one of the touchstone French operas, especially for tenors. It features a role most tenors look to sing because of the acting possibilities and the rich music that Offenbach wrote. But it is also a challenging evening that requires stamina from its leading man, as well as a solid cast {…}
(Credit: Royal Opera House) How one experiences Barrie Kosky’s “Carmen,” which is currently being presented at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, really depends on your relationship to the work itself. Those who have never seen the opera might actually find themselves riveted by Kosky’s conception and execution. Those who hate it might find this a breath of fresh air. {…}
(Credit: Bill Cooper / Royal Opera House) The Royal Opera House will live stream the July 2, 2019 performance of Bizet’s “Carmen” via the company’s Facebook and YouTube pages. The showcase is part of BP Big Screens, which allows audiences in the UK the opportunity to experience culture for free. The performance on July 2 will feature Aigul Akhmetshina in {…}
May 1, 1786. That is the day that, for many, the greatest opera of all-time had its very first performance. “Le Nozze di Figaro” has held the stage ever since, performed by all the great interpreters all over the world. The work has also developed a healthy discography over the ages both on audio and visual media, making it impossible {…}
The 14th annual OPERA NEWS Awards were held on April 7, 2019, with a star-studded gala that honored five major figures of the opera world. The evening began with a cocktail hour before guests and honorees were brought to the main hall of the Plaza Hall to get the ceremony underway. OPERA NEWS editor F. Paul Driscoll kicked off the proceedings by {…}
The Zurich Opera has announced its 2019-20 season which will feature a whopping 11 opera premieres and 17 opera revivals. Premieres “The Makropulos Case” will be the first offering of the season with Evelyn Herlitzius starring as Emilia Marty. Other cast members will include Sam Furness, Kevin Conners, Deniz Uzun, Scott Hendricks, and Spencer Lang, among others. Dmitri Tcherniakov will direct while {…}