The weekend is here and many productions have just opened. This week, we see a number of standard pieces being performed in new productions as well as some rarely performed contemporary works. We also leave the opera genre to showcase a major Zarzuela being performed in Spain. Here is a look. Satyagraha – Vlaanderen Opera, Belgium Rihab Chaieb and Peter Tantsits {…}
The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma has announced its 2018-19 season featuring numerous new productions and a number of up and coming singers. New Productions The season opens with a new production of Verdi’s beloved “Rigoletto.” Daniele Gatti conducts the new production by Daniele Abbado. Ismael Jordi, Roberto Frontali, Lisette Oropesa, Riccardo Zanellato and Alisa Kolosova lead the illustrious cast of performers. Performance Dates: Dec. 2-18, 2018 Maria Agresta {…}
The word “Bohemian” – much like the popular terms “retro,” “Goth,” or “vintage” – is yet another label that has offered countless inferences over a plethora of different times. The “Bohème” clique of Puccini, undercut by the whimsy and exuberance of Italian verismo, would contrast with a play rendition of its source, Henri Murger’s “Scènes de la Vie de Bohème.” {…}
The week sees a number of high profile releases including a world premiere, an exciting role debut, a rarely performed gem, and an innovative production from one of the world’s greatest filmmakers. L’Invisible The world premiere recording of Albert Reimann’s new opera “L’Invisible” will be released by Oehms Classics from the Deutsche Oper Berlin. The new CD, which was recorded from {…}
Opera Zürich has announced its 2018-19 season slate, which is among the largest in the world. It will feature a whopping 12 new productions, among a glut of exciting revivals. Let’s dive in. Premieres Gisbert Näther’s “Konrad oder das Kind aus der Konservenbüchse” gets a new production by Claudia Blersch. Ann-Katrin Stöcker conducts two cast which will include Irène Friedli, Katharina Peetz, Flurin {…}
Sony Classical has announced the release of Verdi’s “Otello” from the Royal Opera House. The production, which premiered last summer at the Royal Opera, stars Jonas Kaufmann in his role debut, Maria Agresta, and Marco Vratogna. Antonio Pappano conducted the production, which was directed by Keith Warner. When the production premiered OperaWire noted, “Jonas Kaufmann Cements His Legacy As One {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced its 2018-19 season with a number of the greatest stars performing in new productions. The season will also include two important recitals from two of the world’s greatest sopranos. Recitals & Concerts Anna Netrebko returns to Chicago for the first time since 2013 when she performed “La Bohème.” This time she performs some {…}
Maria Agresta has canceled her performances of “Il Trovatore.” The Met announced that due to illness the soprano was unable to perform. As a result Jennifer Rowley will sing the role of Leonora. Rowley is due one performance of “Tosca” on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018, and was covering “Il Trovatore.” Last season the soprano had a break out at the {…}
With the New Year’s Eve just a day away, opera audiences are in for a treat with three gala concerts being streamed featuring some of the world’s biggest stars. The first major concert that will be streamed on the live in the concert hall series and in cinemas will be the Berlin Philharmonic’s annual silver concert gala. The evening will feature {…}
It’s the final the week of the year and that means many companies are off. But there are many New Year’s Galas to keep track of. Here are just a few! Die Fledermaus – Vienna State Opera, Austria The Vienna State Opera continues its tradition as it rings the New Year with its classic production of “Die Fledermaus” with Michael Schade {…}
Occasionally music history has strange coincidences where a famous composer is unable to finish his final work. This is particularly strange when the final work has something to do with death. Consider Mozart who died writing a requiem. Likewise, Giacomo Puccini succumbed to lung cancer before completing “Turandot.” The last piece he wrote was the funeral march for the slave {…}