Angelica Antonini, Núria Rial, Andrzej Filończyk, Mark Padmore Star in National Forum of Music’s 2026-27 Season

The National Forum of Music announces its 2026-27 season. This article feature classical voice works only. Mark Padmore performs Bach’s “Ich habe genug” at the Krzyżowa-Music festival. Performance Date: Aug. 30, 2026 Thomas Guggeis conducts a concert version of Saint-Saëns’ “Samson et Dalila” starring Brian Jagde and Anita Rachvelishvili in the title roles. They are joined by Kostas Smoriginas, Peter {…}

Mar 20, 2026

Wratislavia Cantans Unveils 2026 Program

The Wratislavia Cantans announces its 2026 season. This article only features vocal events. Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Samson et Dalila” stars Brian Jagde, Anita Rachvelishvili, and Kostas Smoriginas. They are joined by the NFM Choir led by Lionel Sow and the NFM Wrocław Philharmonic. Thomas Guggeis conducts. Performance Date: September 3, 2026 Angelica Antonini performs with Il Giardino Armonico under the baton of {…}

Dec 9, 2025

Ravenna Festival Review 2025: Alcina

(Photo: Zani-Casadio) Is it a wise decision to perform two independent works by the same composer on consecutive nights, using a very similar cast, the same stage director, the same basic set, similar or in some cases the same costumes with the same musical director and orchestra? Well, this is exactly what the Ravenna Festival decided to do for its stagings {…}

Nov 27, 2025

Ravenna Festival 2025 Review: Orlando

(Photo: Zani-Casadi) For the November installment of the Ravenna Festival, it was decided to present a Händel trilogy, comprising two fully staged operas, “Orlando” and “Alcina,” and a concert performance of his oratorio “The Messiah.” First up was the composer’s 1733 composition, “Orlando,” written to a libretto by Carlo Sigismondo Capece, which premiered at London’s King’s Theatre and ran for {…}

Sep 8, 2022

Innsbruck Early Music Festival 2022 Review: Cesti Competition

(Photo: Die Fotografen) The Innsbruck Early Music Festival’s Cesti Competition, now in its 13th year, continues to cement its standing as a prestige international singing competition for baroque specialists. The final, which took place in Innsbruck’s Haus der Musik in front of an enthusiastic audience, consisted of 10 singers from six countries, comprising two countertenors, five sopranos, two tenors and {…}

Sep 26, 2021

Vicenza In Lirica 2021 Review: Mitridate, Re di Ponto

(Photo: Federico Balestro) Vicenza’s Teatro Olimpico opened its doors for the first time in 1585. Almost 450 years later Palladio’s masterpiece, the first stone-built indoor theatre in the world and now a UNESCO world heritage site, is still a functioning theatre, and the primary venue for Vicenza in Lirica’s annual music festival. The theatre’s design is based on the theatres {…}

Aug 11, 2021

Q & A: Soprano Martina Licari on Her Forthcoming Role Debut as Ismene at Vicenza In Lirica & How COVID Disrupted her Early Success

(Photo: Antonio Curti) The winner of the 2021 Tulio Serafin Opera Singing Competition, Martina Licari, is due to make her role debut as Ismene in two performances of Mozart’s “Mitridate, re di Ponto” at this season’s Vicenza in Lirica, starting 28th August, running until 12th September. Having graduated from the conservatory in Palermo in 2018, the young soprano appeared to {…}

Jun 17, 2021

Tullio Serafin Competition Winners Announced

The Tullio Serafin Competition has announced its winners. The winners who will perform in a production of Mozart’s “Mitridate” are Nina Solodovnikova, Darija Auguštan, Franko Klisović, Martina Licari, and Gloria Giurgola. Meanwhile, the Critics award in memory of “Lukas Franceschini” was Martina Licari and the Premio Fondazione Renata Tebaldi went to Martina Licari and Darija Auguštan. Finally the Concorso Lirico Internazionale Ottavio Ziino award {…}

martina licari