(Photo: Stefan Brion) The Renaissance in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries largely excluded music. As a movement inspired by classical examples, it had no ancient musical forms to revive since no classical music had survived in any form. Claudio Monteverdi is often regarded as the father of the musical Renaissance. Over fifty years, he structured the madrigal form, {…}
(Photo Credit: DR Stefan Brion) The works of André de Grétry are seldom performed, nowadays. There is a reason why. Despite all their great merits and genre innovations, Grétry’s operas are always at risk of looking mundane, or even less than ordinary, if not played by inspiring artists. “Zémire et Azor” is no exception to such an axiom. On the {…}
The Opéra Orchestre national Montpellier Occitanie has announced its 2023-24 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. The season opens with “Concert de rentrée” conducted by Chloé Dufresne and starring Manon Lamaison, Felix Gygli, and Noëlle Gény. Performance Date: Sept. 23, 2023 Francesco Angelico conducts the Gala Lyrique with Franciska Éry directing. Yunuet Laguna, Oreste Cosimo, and Gëzim Myshketa are the soloists in {…}
This week audiences will get to see a Rossini work, a debut album and a rarely performed work. Boulder Bach Festival Sono Luminus releases Boulder Bach Festival which includes works by J.S. Bach and his admired older contemporary Johann Christoph Bach that were recorded immediately following the festival week at the conclusion of the Boulder Bach Festival’s 41st year. The {…}
The Opéra national du Capitole, Toulouse has announced its 2023-24 season featuring seven productions and recitals. Opera Victorien Vanoosten conducts Bizet’s “Les pêcheurs de perles” with Thomas Lebrun Mise directing. The cast includes Anne-Catherine Gillet, Mathias Vidal, Alexandre Duhamel, and Jean-Fernand Setti. Performance Dates: Sept. 26-Oct. 8, 2023 Andris Poga conducts Mussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov” in a production by Olivier Py. The {…}
The year is about to end but before it does, here are two new releases that you can’t miss. What’s more, they are rarely performed operas. Titon et l’Aurore Naxos releases Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville’s opera with Reinoud van Mechelen, Gwendoline Blondeel, Emmanuelle de Negri, Marc Mauillon, Julie Roset, and Renato Dolcini. Les Arts Florissants is led by William Christie {…}
(Credits: © Aymeric Giraudel / Fabien Monthubert / © Simon Fowler) Opéra de Rouen Normandie, France has announced its 2021-22 season. For the purpose of this article, we will only focus on the operatic and vocal performances. Here is the full slate. Opera and Musicals Verdi‘s “Il Trovatore” opens the season with Lionel Lhote as Count di Luna, Brigitta Kele {…}
(Credits: © Marine Cessat-Begler / OnP / Deutsche Oper Berlin official website / IMG Artists official website) Opéra de Dijon in France has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is a look at the operatic and vocal performances. Opera Verdi‘s “Macbeth” stars Dario Russo, Carlo Allemano, Yoann Le Lan, Alexandra Zabala as Lady Macbeth, and Stephen Gaertner in the title role. {…}
(Credit: EPV / Christian Millet) Opéra Royal de Versailles has announced its 2021-22 season, featuring number of rarely performed operas and vocal works. Here is the full slate. Opera André Grétry’s opera “Richard Cœur de Lion” features Rémy Mathieu as Blondel and Pierre Derhet in the title role. The cast will be rounded out by Melody Louledjian, Marie Perbost Antonio, {…}
(Credit: Javier del Real/Salva Lopez) The Théâtre des Champs-Elysées has announced its 2021-22 season featuring some of the biggest stars in the world, staged operas, and concert operas. Staged Opera Debussy’s “Pelléas et Mélisande“ will be conducted by François-Xavier Roth and directed by Eric Ruf. Patricia Petibon, Stanislas de Barbeyrac, Sir Simon Keenlyside, Jean Teitgen, and Lucile Richardot star. Performance {…}
(Credit: Opera Online) Opéra de Rouen Normandie has announced the cancellation of April performances due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic concerns. Among the affected performances are the recital of Lea Desandre on April 7, as well as the presentations of Gérard Pesson’s opera “Trois Contes” on April 8 & 9. The opera was set to star Camille Merckx, Marc Mauillon, {…}