Debussy’s masterwork “Pelléas et Mélisande” is one of the most glorious operas ever written. Its melodies are elusive, but when performed at its maximum expression, it can wrap you up and transport you to a different state in a way only few other operas can. It is truly a masterwork. The Metropolitan Opera produced the work for the first time {…}
Marie-Nicole Lemieux is one of the most sought after contraltos of her generation. She has performed around the world in every major theater including the Teatro alla Scala, Salzburg Festival, Opéra National de Paris, the Teatro Real in Madrid, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, and the Wiener Staatsoper, among others. This week she will finally make her long overdue Metropolitan {…}
The Salzburg Whitun Festival has announced its 2019 season, which also included a special message from its artistic director Cecilia Bartoli. “It is no coincidence that I can realize the idea now, when discussions about the abuse of the bodily integrity of artists have become so topical,” Bartoli stated in a press released. “In the name of art, thousands of {…}
The Théâtre Champes-Élysées has announced its 2018-19 season. Let’s break it down Staged Productions Jérémie Rhorer conducts a new production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” with Deborah Warner directing. Vannina Santoni stars in the title role alongside Saimir Pirgu and Laurent Naouri. Performance Dates: Nov. 28-Dec. 9, 2018 Katie Mitchell directs Strauss’ “Ariadne Auf Naxos” with Camila Nylund and Roberto Sacca. Kate Lindsey and Olga Pudova round out {…}
Every season the Metropolitan Opera has some of the greatest stars in the world. Some return for the first time in years while others are Met veterans. But there are also debuts that are unexpected or important for the house. The 2018-19 season will undoubtedly bring six debuts that all opera goers need to see. Nicole Car -“La Boheme” The {…}
Back in 1973, 32-year-old conductor John Nelson took the stage at Carnegie Hall. He was leading his first-ever performance of Berlioz’s monumental opera “Les Troyens.” Little did he know at that moment that the piece could come to become one of the most important of his entire career. “I was a kid back then,” the conductor told OperaWire in a {…}
Joyce DiDonato’s famed interpretation of Didon in Berlioz’s “Les Troyens” will get a CD release this fall. The new recording, which will be released by Erato features the full uncut score of the Berlioz masterwork, drawn from two concert performances that took place over the Easter weekend in April 2017 in the Strasbourg, France. The performance is led by conductor John Nelson {…}