In modern Italy, where the operatic art is literally falling apart at both institutional and performing levels, the audience still carries the memory of seeing the greatest operatic performances in history, and is eager to hear anyone who could put all the precious pieces together again. So, there was no surprise to see the hall of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino filled {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced its 2021-22 season. It all kicks off with a new production of Verdi’s “Macbeth” starring Luca Salsi, Sondra Radvanovsky, Joshua Guerrero and Christian Van Horn. Enrique Mazzola conducts the production by Sir David McVicar. Performance Dates: Sept. 17- Oct. 9, 2021 Enrique Mazzola will conduct “L’Elisir d’Amore” in a production by Daniel Slater. {…}
The Salzburg Whitsun Festival has announced a cast change for its “Tosca” performance. The festival announced that Anja Harteros and Bryn Terfel have been forced to cancel their participation in the festival and as a result, Anna Netrebko and Luca Salsi have agreed to perform the title role and Scarpia on short notice. Netrebko and Salsi will appear alongside Jonas {…}
The Teatro Municipale di Piacenza has announced it will reopen on May 16. The theater will reopen with Verdi’s Requiem conducted by Plácido Domingo. The concert will be dedicated to the victims of COVID-19 and will mark the first time Domingo performs in Piacenza since 1972 when he sang “Lucia di Lammermoor.” The concert will also feature Maria José Siri, {…}
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced a concert performance of Puccini’s “Tosca.” The theater announced that Saioa Hernández will sing the title role alongside Francesco Meli as Cavaradossi and Luca Salsi as Scarpia. Zubin Mehta will conduct the performance on May 19, 2021. The performance will be held in honor of Mehta’s 85th birthday. The performance will reunite Hernández, Meli, {…}
(Credits: Javier del Real / Piotr Beczała official website) The Wiener Staatsoper has unveiled a completely new cast for Puccini’s “Tosca.” The third and the final run of the opera was originally scheduled between May 3 and May 14 2021 with Massimo Giordano as Mario Cavaradossi, Luca Salsi as Scarpia, and Anja Harteros in the title role. However, as the {…}
Opera’s biggest superstars (past and present) are featuring in this week’s edition. There are some new works, recitals, and some classical masterpieces on offer. And a notable Latin American composer, Daniel Catán, also gets his due. Here are the top 10 operas to stream this week. La Hija de Rappaccini – Chicago Opera Theater (Streaming Now) We did note that {…}
The Teatro La Fenice has confirmed that it will reopen on April 26. The theater confirmed that following the government’s new decree it will open to a limited audience following all regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The concert “Verdi e la Fenice,” which was originally set to be performed for streaming on April 24 will be postponed to {…}
This week three of today’s biggest divas release new albums or DVDs. There are also a number of solo projects including a debut album by one of the most exciting baritones of his generation. Here is a look. Winterreise Joyce DiDonato releases her acclaimed version of Schubert’s “Winterreise.” The mezzo noted that the piece is one of “the masterpieces: those {…}
On April 26, the Italian region of Veneta will become a yellow zone allowing theaters in the area to reopen. The Teatro La Fenice announced that if confirmed, it will reopen its theater to the public for its upcoming Verdi e la Fenice concert to the public. In a statement superintendent, Fortunato Ortombina said, “We are waiting for definite confirmation for {…}
There are a lot of unique experiences to be had via streaming in the opera world this week and we’re excited to share our top 10 choices. A star soprano. Rising opera stars. The future of opera. A new work filmed in a major museum. Lots of Verdi and Mozart. All of these and more are on offer. So let’s {…}