Every Friday, Polina Lyapustina delivers a short essay on some of the most essential topics in the industry with the intent of establishing a dialogue about the opera world and its future. After going from constantly looking for updates on the pandemic to seamless freedom of attending events, we could easily miss that October is already here. October means the summer is {…}
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced a date change for its final performance of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The company noted that the final showcase of the run scheduled for Dec. 19 has been changed to Dec. 22, 2021. The new production is set to open on Dec. 9, 2021 and will be directed by Chiara Muti. Francesco Ivan Ciampa will conduct {…}
On July 21, CueTV will present Monteverdi’s “Il ritorno di Ulisse in patria” from the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. The stream will be presented at 8 p.m. CET and will showcase Robert Carsen’s latest production. The opera stars Charles Workman, Anicio Zorzi Giustiniani, Delphine Galou, John Daszak, Francesco Milanese, Marina De Liso, Eleonora Bellocci, Gianluca Margheri, Guido Loconsolo, Arianna Vendittelli, Konstantin {…}
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is set to stream Giordano’s “Siberia.” The production by Roberto Andò and led by Sonya Yoncheva will be streamed on CueTV on July 7, 2021. Gianandrea Noseda will conduct the rarely performed work with a cast that also stars Giorgi Sturua, George Petean, Caterina Piva, and Giorgio Misseri. “Siberia” made its world premiere at the Teatro {…}
Daniele Gatti has been named Music Director of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Alexander Pereira announced the news during a press conference which also announced the 2021-22 season. Gatti will succeed Zubin Mehta who will continue with the Maggio Musicale as Music Director Emeritus. Pereira noted that both Mehta and Gatti will conduct the same number of productions and that a {…}
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced a concert performance of Puccini’s “Tosca.” The theater announced that Saioa Hernández will sing the title role alongside Francesco Meli as Cavaradossi and Luca Salsi as Scarpia. Zubin Mehta will conduct the performance on May 19, 2021. The performance will be held in honor of Mehta’s 85th birthday. The performance will reunite Hernández, Meli, {…}
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced the cancelation of its upcoming production of “Don Giovanni.” The company announced that due to restrictions, “Don Giovanni” will no longer close the 83 edition of the Maggio Festival. Riccardo Muti was set to conduct the production on July 21, 23, 26, 28, and 30, 2021. Audiences can begin to get refunds starting April {…}
On March 25, María José Siri made history at the Ópera de las Palmas in Spain by becoming the first woman to give an encore at the opera house. The soprano was not only taking on her first performances in the role of “Adriana Lecouvreur” but was also making her house debut at the prestigious Spanish theater. The production was {…}
(Credit: Maggio Musicale Fiorentino official website) The cabinet of Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has adopted a new decree that will allow limited reopenings in the yellow zones of the country’s COVID-19 color-code system. The decree only applies to the low risk yellow zones. Theaters and opera houses will be allowed to reopen with a maximum of 50% capacity or {…}
The Maggio Musicale di Fiorentino is set to reopen on April 26. The theater will reopen to the public with a concert conducted by Daniele Gatti on April 26 and will be followed by the premiere of “Adriana Lecouvreur” on April 27, 2021. Gatti will conduct an all-Stravinsky program while “Adriana Lecouvreur” will star Maria Jose Siri, Martin Muehle, Nicola {…}
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of “Rigoletto.” The Italian company revealed that Javier Camarena will take over the role of the Duke of Mantua replacing René Barbera. The Mexican tenor joins a cast that includes Enkeleda Kamani as Gilda and Leo Nucci in his legendary portrayal of Rigoletto. Camarena previously performed the role {…}