The Arena di Verona has announced that it will present a new production of “Rigoletto” for its 2023 season. The new production will be an homage to the Italian neorealist cinema of the 50s. It will be directed by Antonio Albanese, who has previously directed at the Teatro alla Scala di Milano, Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, Teatro Petruzzelli di Bari, {…}
Luca Salsi has retired the role of Amonasro in “Aida.” The baritone took to social media on Jan. 24 and said, “today will be the last performance of ‘Aida’ at Wiener Staatsoper. Today I will play Amonasro for the last time. What a great Theater and what an unsurpassed cast to bid farewell to this role!” Salsi has performed the {…}
(Credit: Mart Sohl/ Metropolitan Opera ) Fathom Events is set to present encore screenings of Verdi’s “La Traviata” from the Metropolitan Opera on Feb. 15, 2023. The opera stars Nadine Sierra, Stephen Costello, and Luca Salsi with Daniele Callegari conducting Michael Mayer’s production. Renée Fleming hosts the performance. The encore screening will take place at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. {…}
ORF III is set to present Verdi’s “Aida” from the Wiener Staatsoper. The recording, which will continue the Staatsoper’s close cooperation with ORF III, will be presented on Jan. 29, 2023. The star-studded cast is led by Anna Netrebko in the title role, Elīna Garanča in her highly-anticipated role debut as Amneris, and Jonas Kaufmann as Radamès. The cast will {…}
After a bumpy 2021, which still had numerous COVID cancelations, 2022 saw opera companies almost return to normalcy. There were setbacks like cyberattacks, a war that has destroyed a country, and companies losing funds from government agencies. But in all, it also showed how opera companies could unite through benefit concerts and through sheer artistry. And after releasing our favorite {…}
The Metropolitan Opera will reprise Verdi’s “Aida” in a staging by Sonja Frisell, which will mark the last time the production will be seen on the Met stage. The production, which premiered in 1988, has been performed over 240 times and features production designer Gianni Quaranta’s sets. The revival will be performed 15 times from Dec. 3, 2022 through April {…}
Verdi’s La Traviata returns to the Metropolitan Opera with three casts. The opera, performed eight times from Oct. 25 to Nov. 19, 2022, will star Stephen Costello, Lucas Salsi, and Nadine Sierra. Maestro Daniele Callegari conducts the production by Michael Mayer. Then between Jan. 5 and 26, 2023, Ermonela Jaho will sing her acclaimed interpretation alongside Ismael Jordi and Amartuvshin {…}
(Credit: KarenAlmond/Metropolitan Opera) A “shabby little shocker.” That’s how musicologist Joseph Kerman described Puccini’s “Tosca.” Shabby? No. A little shocker? No. It’s a big shocker. Perhaps we’ve become inured to how dark and violent “Tosca” is with scenes of rape, murder, torture, and suicide. There was no mistaking the grittiness of Puccini’s fast-paced thriller at the Metropolitan Opera. The October {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for Puccini’s “Tosca.” The company said that for the performances of Puccini’s “Tosca” on Oct. 4, 8, 11, and 15, the role of Scarpia will be sung by Luca Salsi. For the performances on Oct. 19, 24, 27, 31, and November 4, the role will be sung by George Gagnidze. Both baritones {…}
The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma has announced its 2022-23 Season. Emma Dante conducts Poulenc’s “Dialogues des Carmelites” with Michele Mariotti conducting. Corinne Winters stars alongside Anna Caterina Antonacci, Ewa Vesin, Ekaterina Gubanova, and Jean-François Lapointe. The opera will be transmitted live on Rai Cultura and Rai5. Performance Dates: Nov. 27-Dec. 6, 2022 Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore” will be conducted by Francesco {…}
The Teatro San Carlo has announced its 2022-23 season. Here is a look at the performances. Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “Don Carlo” starring Matthew Polezani, Ernesto Petti, Ailyn Perez, Michele Pertusi, Elina Garanca, and Alexander Tsymbalyuk. Juraj Valcuha conducts the production by Claus Guth. Performance Dates: Nov. 26-Dec. 6, 2022 Lorezno Passarini conducts concert performances of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” {…}