Asmik Grigorian, Anna Netrebko, Brian Jagde, Saioa Hernández, Ermonela Jaho, Lisette Oropesa, Jakub Józef Orliński & Nadine Sierra Lead Teatro Real de Madrid’s 2025-26 Season

The Teatro Real de Madrid has announced its 2025-26 season. Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “Otello,” starring Brian Jadge, Jorge de León, and Angelo Villari in the title role. The cast includes Igor Golovatenko, Artur Ruciński, Gabriele Viviani, Airam Hernández, Asmik Grigorian, and Maria Agresta. Nicola Luisotti and Giuseppe Mentuccia conduct the production by David Alden. Performance Dates: Sept. {…}

Feb 3, 2025

Aleksandra Kurzak, Anna Netrebko, Nino Machaidze, Roberto Alagna & Anna Pirozzi Lead Festival Puccini’s 2025 Season

The Festival Puccini has announced its 2025 season featuring five of the composer’s most famous works. “Tosca” will open the festival with a star-studded cast. Aleksandra Kurzak, Carmen Giannattasio, Eleonora Buratto, and Valentina Boi will alternate the title role alongside Roberto Alagna, Michael Fabiano, Francesco Meli, Luca Salsi, Mikolaj Zalasinski, and Ivan Inverardi. Giorgio Croci conducts Alfonso Signorini’s production. Performance {…}

Jan 15, 2025

ORF III to Broadcast ‘Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci’ Featuring Jonas Kaufmann & Elīna Garanča

On Feb. 9, ORF III is set to present “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” from the Wiener Staatsoper. The broadcast will feature superstars Jonas Kaufmann and Elīna Garanča in the double bill. Jonas Kaufmann sings the role of Canio in “Pagliacci” alongside a cast that includes Maria Agresta, Adam Plachetka, Jörg Schneider, and Stefan Astakhov. Meanwhile, Elīna Garanča stars as Santuzza {…}

Oct 8, 2024

Anna Pirozzi Steps into Gran Teatre del Liceu’s ‘La Forza del Destino’

The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced a new cast change for its production of “La Forza del Destino.” The company said that soprano Maria Agresta has withdrawn from her debut in the role of Donna Leonora in “La Forza del Destino’, as she does not yet feel ready to take it on. As a result, soprano Anna Pirozzi will {…}

Oct 2, 2024

Teatro Real 2024-25 Review: Adriana Lecouvreur (Cast B)

(Photo credit: Javier del Real) And I’m back to report on the second cast for the Teatro Real de Madrid’s “Adriana Lecouvreur.” You can check my thoughts on Cast A here. The Italian soprano Maria Agresta performed the titular role, Adriana. Her voice has developed into a pure lyric soprano, as a result of incorporating heavy roles in later years. {…}

Sep 24, 2024

CD Review: Jonas Kaufmann’s ‘Puccini: Love Affairs’

“Puccini: Love Affairs” is Sony Classical’s response to the marketing of the centenary of the Lucchese composer’s death. Sadly, instead of a complete opera recording, it is yet another compilation (in the fullest sense!) of familiar duets, and an aria from “Tosca” and “La Bohème” each. Jonas Kaufmann – its titular singer – represents the main selling point. The German {…}

Jul 19, 2024

Jonas Kaufmann Announces New Puccini Album with Anna Netrebko, Sonya Yoncheva & Asmik Grigorian

Jonas Kaufmann has announced his new album entitled “Puccini: Love Affairs.” The new record will be released on Sept. 13 by Sony Classical and will feature several duets from the composer. In a statement, Kaufmann said, “For my latest album, I had the pleasure of collaborating with some of today’s leading sopranos to celebrate Puccini’s centenary year. What really appealed {…}

Jun 17, 2024

Opernhaus Zürich 2023-24 Review: I vespri siciliani

(Photo: ) Giuseppe Verdi’s “I vespri siciliani” recounts the story of a historical revolution: the uprising of the Sicilian people against their French rulers in 1282, leading to the liberation of the island from their occupation. The political narrative is intertwined with the personal lives of the main characters. Duchess Elena, whose brother was killed by the French, seeks vengeance {…}

May 24, 2024

Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Sondra Radvanovsky, Asmik Grigorian & Francesco Meli Lead Teatro San Carlo’s 2024-25 Season

The Teatro San Carlo announced its 2024-25 season. The season opens with Dvořák’s “Rusalka” in a new production by Dmitri Tcherniakov. Dan Ettinger conducts a cast that includes Asmik Grigorian, Adam Smith, Ekaterina Gubanova, Anita Rachvelishvili, and Gábor Bretz. Performance Dates: Nov. 20-Dec. 7, 2024 Verdi’s “Don Carlo” will be conducted by Henrik Nánási and will star Piero Pretti, Gabriele Viviani, Ildar {…}

May 15, 2024

Erika Grimaldi, John Osborn, Sara Blanch & Gregory Kunde Lead Teatro Regio di Torino’s 2024-25 Season

The Teatro Regio di Torino has announced its 2024-25 season. “Manon” Renato Palumbo conducts Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut” with Arnaud Bernard directing. The cast will include Erika Grimaldi, Dinara Alieva, Andeka Gorrotxategui, Carlo Ventre, Carlo Lepore, and Alessandro Luongo. Performance Dates: Oct. 1-26, 2024 Massenet’s “Manon” wil star Ekaterina Bakanova, Martina Russomanno, Bjorn Burger Maxim Lisiin, Atalla Ayan, Andrei Danilov, Roberto {…}

Apr 19, 2024

Nadine Sierra, Saioa Hernández, Piotr Beczała, Sonya Yoncheva, Xabier Anduaga & Juan Diego Flórez Lead Gran Teatre del Liceu’s 2024-25 Season

The Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera Josep Pons conducts Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” with Alexei Botnarciuc, Daniel Kirch, Sara Jakubiak, Ángeles Blancas, and Pavel Černoch. Àlex Ollé conducts. Performance Date: Sept. 25-Oct. 7, 2024 Maria Agresta and Saioa Hernández star in Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” with Artur Ruciński, Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Brian {…}

maria agresta