Max Emanuel Cencic, Carlo Vistoli, Malena Ernman & Marina Viotti Lead Bayreuth Baroque’s 2025 Season

The Bayreuth Baroque has announced its 2025 season. Francesco Cavalli’s “Pompeo Magno” is set to be presented with Leonardo García Alarcón conducting and Max Emanuel Cencic directing. The opera will star Max Emanuel Cencic, Mariana Florès, Valerio Contaldo, Artur Plinta, Nicolò Balducci, Sophie Junker, Victor Sicard, Pierre-Antoine Chaumien, Valer Sabadus Scipione, Stefan Sbonnik, Dominique Visse, Kacper Szelążek, and Marcel Beekman. Performance {…}

Dec 3, 2024

Lisette Oropesa, Asmik Grigorian, Jonas Kaufmann, Diana Damrau, Cecilia Bartoli & Sabine Devieilhe Lead Salzburg Festival’s 2025 Season

The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2025 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Opera Bas Wiegers conducts Michael Jarrell’s “Kassandra” with actress Dagmar Manzel and the Ensemble Modern. Performance Date: July 23, 2025 Salvatore Sciarrino’s “Macbeth” will be conducted by Vimbayi Kaziboni. Cody Quattlebaum, Alice Rossi, Leonardo Cortellazzi, Iris van Wijnen, and Davide Giangregorio. Performance Date: July 25, {…}

Oct 29, 2024

Lisette Oropesa, Nahuel di Pierro, Saimir Pirgu & Marina Viotti Lead New CD/DVD Releases

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. It’s a star-studded lineup of releases with Zarzuela, bel canto, modern works, and experimental albums by leading opera singers. Mis Amores son las Flores Lisette Oropesa releases her latest album dedicated to Zarzuela. In a statement, the soprano said, “I’m so happy to {…}

Aug 5, 2024

Marina Viotti Signs with Naïve Records

Marina Viotti has signed with Naïve Records. Viotti was recently awarded a French Victoire de la Musique in 2023 and is highly recognized for her unrivaled, intense, and wide musical universe, inside and beyond the pure classical repertoire. Her debut album for the label will be out on Oct. 11 and will see her perform music by Dowland as well {…}

Jun 27, 2024

Théâtre des Champs-Elysées 2023-24 Review: L’Olimpiade

(Photo: Vincent Pontet) Paris is gearing up for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games, and a variety of Olympic-themed events are taking place throughout the city. In this context, Antonio Vivaldi’s opera “L’Olimpiade” is a must-see, with the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées showcasing a new production by Emmanuel Daumas. Belgian soprano Jodie Devos, who recently passed away untimely, was originally scheduled to {…}

Apr 20, 2024

Marina Viotti & Gabriel Bianco to Present Recital at LIFE Victoria

Mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti and guitarist Gabriel Bianco will join forces for a concert at LIFE Victoria in Barcelona. The performance, slated for April 22, 2024, will include works by Fauré, Piazzola, Almarán, Massenet, Barbara, Machín, de Falla, and Brel. The showcase will focus on Spanish songs from around the world. In addition to this performance, Viotti will perform in a {…}

Mar 19, 2024

Pretty Yende, Anna Netrebko, Philippe Jaroussky, Natalie Dessay & Benjamin Bernheim Lead Théâtre des Champs-Élysées’ 2024-25 Season

The Théâtre des Champs-Élysées has announced its 2024-25 season. Here are the vocal performances. Opera in Production Bach’s “Passion selon Saint” will be conducted by Leonardo García Alarcón and directed by Sasha Waltz. The cast will include Sophie Junker, Georg Nigl, Christian Immler, Benno Schachtner, Valerio Contaldo, and Mark Milhofer. Performance Dates: Nov. 4 & 5, 2024 Poulenc’s “Dialogues des {…}

Dec 6, 2023

Teatro Real de Madrid 2023-24 Review: Rigoletto

(Credit: Javier del Real) A woman’s whimper, a stifled scream, echoes in the dark. She flees into the theatre, amidst the stalls, chased by a few men in ominous rabbit masks. She seeks refuge on stage, terrified in front of the bright red curtain, the pack hunts her down, overpowers her. The trombones attack the prelude, with haunting repeated notes, {…}

Oct 20, 2023

Gran Teatre del Liceu to Celebrate Victoria de Los Angeles’ Centenary

(Credit: Allan Warren) The Gran Teatre del Liceu is set to celebrate Victoria de Los Angeles’ centenary. The company will hold a gala on Nov. 7, 2023 which will revisit the core repertoire of the undisputed soprano. The gala, which is curated by Marc Busquets, artistic director of LIFE Victoria Barcelona, will feature soloists Maria Agresta, Louise Alder, Dame Sarah {…}

Sep 14, 2023

Natalie Dessay, Adriana González, Marina Viotti & Simon Keenlyside Lead LIFE Victoria’s 2023-24 Season

LIFE Victoria has announced its 2023-24 season celebrating Victoria de Los Angeles’ centenary. Natalia Labourdette, Laurence Kilsby, and Kunal Lahiry perform alongside LIFE New Artists Milan Perišić and Quimey Urquiaga. Performance Date: Oct. 3, 2023 Siobhan Stagg and Kunal Lahiry perform alongside LIFE New Artists Inés López and Jesús López Blanco. The program includes music by Ravel, Duparc, Fauré, Canteloube, {…}

Sep 5, 2023

Les Talens Lyriques’ 2023-24 Season to Feature the World Premiere of Salieri’s Opera ‘Kubla Khan’ (‘Cublai, Gran Kan De Tartari’)

©Sandrine Expilly The world premiere of Antonio Salieri’s opera “Kubla Khan” (“Cublai, Gran Kan De Tartari”) is among the many highlights of Christophe Rousset and Les Talens Lyriques’ 2023-24 season. Here is the full rundown of what audiences can expect this year. Starting off, sopranos Marie Lys and Judith van Wanroij perform “Ave Maris Stella” with Christophe Rousset at the {…}