Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko & Plácido Domingo Headline Bayerische Staatsoper’s 2019-20 Season

The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2019-20 season, which is undeniably one of the biggest there is. It includes eight new productions to go along with a plethora of revivals. New Productions Jonas Kaufmann and Marlis Petersen headline a new production of Korngold’s “Die Tote Stadt” with Simon Stone directing. Kirill Petrenko conducts the production which also stars Andrzej Filonczyk, Jennifer Johnston, {…}

Mar 7, 2019

Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann & Pretty Yende Highlight Opera De Paris 2019-20 Season

The Opéra National de Paris has announced its 2019-20 seasons which will feature a total of 19 operas and the entire Ring Cycle in an all-new production. Bellini’s “I Puritani” opens the season in a production by Laurent Pelly. Elsa Dreisig takes the leading role with Javier Camarena and Francesco Demuro sharing the role of Arturo. Riccardo Frizza conducts the {…}

Mar 1, 2019

Metropolitan Opera Reveals 2020-21 ‘Aida’ Cast

The Metropolitan Opera has announced the cast for its 2020-21 opening night production of Verdi’s “Aida.” In a New York Times articles, Peter Gelb announced that Anna Netrebko, Anita Rachvelishvili, Piotr Beczala, and Ludovic Tézier will star in the leading roles of “Aida.” The general manager also noted that the new production by Michael Mayer “will be as epic and grand as {…}

Feb 12, 2019

CD / DVD Releases – Week of Feb. 11

This week, five CDs and DVDs are set for release with three starring major sopranos; the other is an award-winning documentary that became a box office hit. Here is a look at what audiences should expect this week. Mio Caro Handel German soprano Simone Kermes’ new album is dedicated to Handel and features popular arias such as “Ombra mai fu,” “Piangerò {…}

Dec 28, 2018

Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – International (12/28-30)

It’s all about the New Year this weekend. So we chose five concerts that we believe you cannot miss. We wish you all a happy New Year and hope you enjoy the holidays. 350th Anniversary Gala, Opéra De Paris, France The Opéra de Paris rings in the New Years with a gala celebrating the company’s 350th anniversary. Sonya Yoncheva, {…}

Nov 20, 2018

Opéra National de Paris 2018–19 Review: Simon Boccanegra

During its 350th anniversary season, the Opéra National de Paris presented a new production of one of the most difficult and controversial Verdi’s operas, “Simon Boccanegra.” With a solid cast and no boundaries of interpretation, Calixto Bieito decided to tell a recklessly modernized story, with characters seemed prohibited from interacting with one another and simply had to ignore each other {…}

Nov 16, 2018

Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – International (11/16-18)

The weekend is here and many productions have just opened. This week, we see a number of standard pieces being performed in new productions as well as some rarely performed contemporary works. We also leave the opera genre to showcase a major Zarzuela being performed in Spain. Here is a look. Satyagraha – Vlaanderen Opera, Belgium Rihab Chaieb and Peter Tantsits {…}

Oct 11, 2018

Aida Garifullina Celebrates Deutsche Grammophon’s 120th Anniversary

Aida Garifullina made history last night alongside Ludovic Tezier and Toby Spence performing at the Forbidden City to celebrate Deutsche Grammophon’s 120th anniversary. Long Yu conducted the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” with the Wiener Singakademie and the Shanghai Spring Children’s Choir. The concert was the first classical concert in the city in 20 years and also included Daniil {…}

Jun 8, 2018

Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – International (6/8-10): Klaus Florian Vogt, Francesco Meli & Elza Van Heever To Star This Weekend

This will be a weekend of new productions, closing nights, and role debuts. Two major stars return to signature roles while one rising star takes on her first Wagner role. Then there are two bel canto favorites and some verismo. Here is a look. Ernani – Opera de Marseille, France Francesco Meli takes on the title role in Verdi’s early work {…}

Mar 23, 2018

Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – International (3/23-25): Anja Harteros & Joseph Calleja Headline New Productions

Let the Holiday season begin as many of the world’s festivals begin their Easter celebrations. Here is a breakdown of the performances you should see this weekend. Tosca – Salzburg East Festival, Austria The Easter Festival begins in Salzburg with a new production of “Tosca” starring the extraordinary Anja Harteros alongside Aleksandrs Antonenko and Ludovic Tézier. Christian Thielemann conducts the new {…}

Mar 20, 2018

Anna Netrebko, Nina Stemme, Angela Gheorghiu & Jonas Kaufmann Headline Royal Opera’s 2018-19 Season

The Royal Opera has announced its 2018-19 season, which is set to include five new productions, classic revivals, and operas that span the entire breadth of the repertory. New Productions The Royal Opera will begin its season with a cycle of works for families over the next few Seasons, beginning with a new production of Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” by director/designer {…}

Ludovic tezier