Jonas Kaufmann and Ludovic Tézier have begun a petition to save culture in Europe. The petition was created in order to support artists who have been left without work and for European nations to preserve the opera world. In the petition Kaufmann and Tézier state, “We, artists, humbly invite those for whom this answer is an immeasurable and intangible truth, {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced its massive 2020-21 season. Here is a rundown. Premieres Philippe Jordan conducts Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly“ in Anthony Minghella’s acclaimed production. The production from 2005 arrived in Vienna with Asmik Grigorian in the title role, Virginie Verrez, Freddie De Tommaso, and Boris Pinkhasovich. In January, Grigorian is joined by Noa Beinart and Marcelo Puente. A third {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper announced its 2020-21 season which includes eight new productions and numerous revivals. Premieres The first new production of the year will be “Die Vögel” by Walter Braunfels, who also penned the libretto. Ingo Metzmacher conducts a production by Frank Castrof that will star Wolfgang Koch, Günter Papendell, Caroline Wettergreen, Emily Pogorelc, Eliza Bloom, and Yajie Zhang, among {…}
The Opernhaus Zürich has announced its 2020-21 season with 13 new productions and a number of international stars. Premiere Michael Volle sings the title role in a new production of Mussorgky’s “Boris Godunov” by Barrie Kosky. Lina Dambrauskaité, Irène Friedli, John Daszak, Konstantin Shushakov, Brindley Sherratt, Edgaras Montvidas, Oksana Volkova, Johannes Martin Kränzle, and Wenwei Zhang also star. Kirill Karabits {…}
This weekend two new productions open with some of the biggest stars in opera while a rarely performed work is set to open in Germany. Don Giovanni – Teatro Mayor, Colombia José Areán conducts Marcelo Lombardero’s production of Mozart and Da Ponte’s masterpiece. Acclaimed bass Nahuel di Pierro stars in the title role with a cast that also includes Hernán {…}
(Credit: Wiener Staatsoper/InArt Management/Marius Baragan/Kristen Hoebermann/Opus Artist) Every year the Metropolitan Opera includes certain elements of surprise in its season planning, whether in repertoire or in casting choices. Sometimes those casting choices are unexpected and include important returns to the stage. This season, OperaWire is spotlighting six major artists that have not performed on the Met stage in years and {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has unveiled its 2020-21 season, which features five new productions and 17 revivals. New Productions Anna Netrebko opens the Metropolitan Opera in a new production of Verdi’s “Aida” directed by Michael Mayer. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the production which also stars Anita Rachvelishvili, Piotr Beczała, Dmitry Belosselskiy and Ludovic Tezier. The production will also showcase Latonia Moore and {…}
The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2020 season celebrating its 100th anniversary with a number of operatic productions from many repertory staples and numerous rarely performed gems. Here is a look at the operatic works to be performed. Opera Franz Welser-Möst is set to conduct a new production of R. Strauss’ “Elektra” with Krzysztof Warlikowski. Aušrine Stundyte sings the title {…}
(Credit: Charles DuPrat / Opera de Paris) “La Traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi is probably one of the most popular operas from this composer and from the opera catalogue in general. Based on the the play “La Dame aux Camelies,” which has been adapted from the novel with the same tittle by Alexandre Dumas (son), was inspired on the life of {…}
(Credit: Courtes of Claudiosgura.com) Ludovic Tézier has canceled performances of Verdi’s “Otello” at the Bayerische Staatsoper. The company announced on Sept. 16, prior to opening night, that the baritone would not be performing in a revival of Verdi’s masterpiece. As a result, Claudio Sgura replaced the baritone on opening and the following two performances scheduled for Sept. 24 and 28, {…}
(Credit: Charles Duprat/ONP) The Opéra de Paris has canceled the Sept. 24 performance of Verdi’s “La Traviata.” The company announced that due to a strike regarding the proposed reform of the pension system, the scheduled performance was canceled. As a result the company is offering ticket-holders the chance to exchange their tickets for another production of the 2019-2020 season depending {…}