The title role in Puccini’s “Tosca” is quite possibly the biggest diva in all of opera. The role requires stamina, vocal prowess and an incredible singing actress who can convey all the complex emotions the character faces throughout the evening. It’s a role that every soprano dreams of and one that can elevate a career to stardom. It’s a role {…}
Malin Byström made an unexpected return to the Salzburg Festival this past weekend. The Swedish soprano replaced Asmik Grigorian at last minute in the title role of Strauss’ “Salome” when Grigorian canceled due to illness. Byström had previously performed the title role at the Royal Opera House earlier this season to rave reviews and made her role debut at the Dutch National {…}
Oper Frankfurt has announced its 2018-19 season, featuring 14 new productions, a number of revivals and recitals. The season will feature a number of Frankfurt premieres and one world premiere. Here is a look at what to expect. New Productions Peter Eötvös ‘s “Tri sestry” gets its first Frankfurt performances in a new production by Dorothea Kirschbaum. The unique opera, {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper won the award for Opera Company of the Year taking the top prize at The International Opera Awards. Piotr Beczala won the Male Singer of the Year and sent a video from New York, where he is performing at the Metropolitan Opera. Malin Byström won the Female Singer of the Year and thanked her parents in a {…}
The ongoing partnership between the Bay Area’s Classical KDFC and San Francisco Opera will continue on April 1 with a broadcast of Leoš Janáček’s “Jenůfa.” The performance, which was recorded live at the War Memorial Opera House in June 2016, features Finnish soprano Karita Mattila as Kostelnička, Swedish soprano Malin Byström in the title role, American tenor William Burden as {…}
The International Opera Award nominations have bee announced. The organization, which seeks to recognize the best of the industry recognizes 18 categories. This year the nominees for Female Singer are Malin Byström, Carmen Giannattasio, Barbara Hannigan, who recently won the Grammy, Hui He, Ermonela Jaho and Eva-Maria Westbroek. In the Male Singer category, Piotr Beczała is nominated alongside Günther Groissböck, Peter Mattei, Eric Owens, {…}
London is a chilly place. Yet on this particularly evening I leave my coat in the hotel and zip to Covent Garden. No room nor time for extra layers, since attending a performance in the Royal Opera House is a cluttered affair. The long lines for cloakrooms stifle with imperial colognes, and the tight, even if velvet, chairs make Ryanair {…}
Salome is widely considered one of the most challenging roles in the soprano repertoire. It’s not only a vocal tour de force but a chance to showcase a soprano’s dramatic force. This week, Swedish soprano Malin Byström returns to the Royal Opera House making her house role debut as Strauss’ “Salome” after stunning critics and audiences in the role at the {…}
Two new releases highlight the week. The first is a controversial production from the Royal Opera House while the other one comes from a historical production from the Deutsche Oper Berlin. And both should be enticing to any opera lover. William Tell Back in 2015, Damiano Micheletto’s production of “Guillaume Tell” opened to outrage and lots of boos at the {…}
The Royal Opera House’s 2017-18 season is loaded with the world’s greatest opera singers. While every star deserves notice, here are the singers that will likely steal the headlines throughout the season. Michael Fabiano – “La Bohème” & “Rigoletto” The tenor will be featured on opening night and is getting two major productions. His famed portrayal of Rodolfo in “La {…}
For audiences who missed Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” at the Metropolitan Opera, there is another chance on Feb. 19. PBS will broadcast the HD performance originally shown in movie theaters on Oct. 22 starring baritone Simon Keenlyside in the title role with Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi in the pit. The cast is rounded out by Hibla Gerzmava as Donna Anna, Malin Byström {…}