(Credit: Oleg Rostovstev) Singing a recital in New York City is a rare occasion for an artist of any caliber. So, it is understandable that when a major opera star gets a chance to perform in one of the city’s hallowed halls, their choice of repertory would truly highlight their vocal and interpretative prowess. The idea of programming a recital {…}
This week will see two baroque pieces and two modern works get releases. With one exception, this week’s selections are unique and rare works that span centuries of musical traditions. Orphée et Eurydice The Lyric Opera of Chicago’s famed production of Gluck’s masterpiece comes to DVD with a cast that includes Dmitry Korchak, Andriana Chuchman, and Lauren Snouffer. Harry Bicket {…}
(Credit: Baus-La Monnaie /Catherine Ashmore- Royal Opera House/Javier del Rey-Teatro Real) This weekend will feature two productions of the epic “Don Carlo” in two different versions, a world premiere, a soprano taking on four roles in one opera, a Janacek work, and a star couple in one of Massenet’s greatest works. Here is what we recommend for the weekend. Macbeth {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has announced its 2019-20 season featuring numerous new productions, rare works, and a number of stars. Anna Netrebko opens the Teatro alla Scala in the title role of Puccini’s ‘Tosca” with Luca Salsi in the role of Scarpia. Riccardo Chailly conducts the production by Davide Livermore. Saioa Hernández sings three performances of the title role. Performance {…}
The Palau de La Musica has announced its 2019-20 season featuring guest performers, a number of choral pieces and all stars. Here is a break down of the operatic and vocal performances the season will offer. The season opens with the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge with the Jove de l’Orfeó Català in music by Wylkynson, Byrd, Britten, Lobo, Casals, Harvey, Weir, Villiers Stanford, {…}
La Monnaie du Mont has announced its 2019-20 season showcasing two world premieres, Mozart’s Da Ponte trilogy and two Joan of Arc operas. The season will also see a celebration of Offenbach, as well as a number of recitals from some of the leading artists in opera. The seasons opens with Pascal Dusapin’s “Macbeth Underworld.” The new opera adapted from {…}
Every year the Metropolitan Opera throws in some surprises, whether in repertoire or in casting choices. Sometimes those casting choices are curve-balls that 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 will be pleasant surprises to hear and see in 2019-20. Kate Lindsey {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2019-20 season with five new productions, a New Year’s Eve gala, and a recital. Here is a look at what to expect. New Productions The season opens with Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” in a new production by James Robinson. The production stars Eric Owens and Kevin Short sharing the title role of Porgy and {…}
Lincoln Center Great Performers Has Announced its 2019-20 Season, which will include several vocal performances. Kicking off the Art of the Song series, baritone Christian Gerhaher, the “foremost lieder singer of our time,” is set to perform with pianist Gerold Huber at Alice Tully Hall. The program of this all-Mahler recital includes “Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen,” songs from “Des Knaben {…}
This weekend it was hard to pick five operas to see as there are many great performers and works being shown around the world. As a result, we have chosen eight works both popular and some rarely performed that we believe are must-sees. Here is a look and enjoy! Norma – Teatro Colón, Argentina Anna Pirozzi stars in the Mount {…}
Sir Simon Rattle is retiring from the Berlin Philharmonic. Saturday night at the Waldbuehne, Berlin, was one of the farewell concerts. This one included his wife as guest artist – the superb mezzo-soprano, Magdalena Kozena. Despite the rain that drizzled on the 20,000+ people armed with blankets and ponchos, and its proximity to the concrete tower left over from the {…}
