Jan. 13, 2022, saw the second performance in the Metropolitan Opera’s run of Puccini’s “La Boheme.” As the perennially-beautiful Zeffirelli production continues to delight, the evening’s cast, led by Maestro Carlo Rizzi, succeeded in bringing their passion and vitality to bear before the audience. Outstanding Leads Fresh from his work with the Berlin Staatsoper, Charles Castronovo was in fine form {…}
(Credit: Teatro Real official website) The Teatro Real has announced the cancelation of the performance of Puccini’s “La bohème” scheduled for Jan. 2, 2022, due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the house. The Teatro Real completely reshuffled the cast for the performance on Dec. 29, 2021, in an attempt to present the opera despite a growing number of COVID-19 cases. {…}
This week audiences will get to celebrate the holiday with a new Christmas album by one of the leading baritones in the world and two rarely performed works by two of the greatest Italian composers. All I Want Baritone Lucas Meachem releases “All I Want,” an EP of five classic Christmas ballads on with Crossover Records. The carols include “All {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) On Nov. 9, 2021, the Metropolitan Opera will revive Franco Zeffirelli’s classic staging of Puccini’s “La Bohème.” The production is the all-time most-performed staging and will celebrate its 40th anniversary of its 1981 premiere. This season the Met will feature South Korean conductor Eun Sun Kim, who became music director of San Francisco Opera {…}
On Sept. 24, 2021, Grammy Award-winning baritone Lucas Meachem will release his first solo album, entitled “Shall We Gather,” on Rubicon Classics. Accompanied by his wife, pianist Irina Meachem, the album consists of 15 art songs that display the rich, national character of America. Among the selections are Gene Scheer’s “American Anthem,” Arthur Falwell’s “Song of the Deathless Voice,” William {…}
(In collaboration with Dejan Vukosavljevic) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2021-22 season featuring new productions and revivals as well as concerts. Here is a look at the new season. Premieres Shostakovich’s “The Nose” will get a new production by Kirill Serebrennikow. Vladimir Jurowski conducts the cast that includes Boris Pinkhasovich, Sergei Leiferkus, Gennady Bezzubenkov, Andrey Popov, Sergey Skorokhodov, Anton Rositskiy, {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced a filmed production of “Pagliacci.” The opera will premiere in August and will be the first time in more than a decade that the Lyric Opera. The work will be performed and filmed in the Lyric Opera House in a semi-staged production. Music Director Enrique Mazzola conducts an all-star conductor including Russell Thomas, {…}
(Credits: Dario Acosta / © Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Classical / Angela Gheorghiu official website / Michael Cooper / Kasskara/DG / Chris Singer) The Royal Opera House Covent Garden has announced full details of its exciting 2021-22 season, which will star some of the world’s greatest performers. The Royal Opera House Live Cinema Season and digital program will be announced {…}
The Festival Napa Valley has announced its 2021 season featuring a number of diverse musical offerings. For the purposes of this article, the focus will be on operatic showcases. The festival opens with Opening Night starring Lisette Oropesa in recital. The concert will be dedicated to the late Ann Getty. Performance Date: July 16, 2021 Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” will be {…}
The Dallas Opera has announced a series of unique upcoming events including a virtual gala and two live showcases set to take place between May 7 through 10, 2021. The company will launch a virtual fundraising gala “VIVA OPERA!” featuring soprano Ailyn Pérez, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, countertenor John Holiday, and baritone Lucas Meachem as they take on excerpts from “The {…}
With the Easter holiday coming at the end of the week, there should be no surprise that there are a lot of Wagnerian offerings in the operatic streaming world. And so Wagner figures prominently on this week’s list. But there’s also a lot more going on that we’re happy to share. So without further ado, here come the top 10 operas {…}