It has not been the easiest time for soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams. Her debut at Paris Opera has been, to say the least, controversial. On the one hand, she is pushing for redefinitions of what art is and how we should face the standard operatic repertoire. On the other hand, the audience’s reaction has been, in her own words, “passionate.” {…}
(Credit: Sunny Martini) From the second bar of Richard Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde,” in the hands of conductor Jordan De Souza, it was clear Seattle Opera’s production (which opened Saturday night and runs through Oct. 29) would be sonically something special. It turned out to be special in several ways, in fact. In that second bar, the famous “Tristan chord”—which {…}
The Santa Fe Opera has announced its 2023 season and revealed its 19th world premiere slated for 2024. The company noted that in 2024, the company has commissioned a new opera by two of America’s most exciting talents, composer Gregory Spears and former US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winner Tracy K. Smith titled “The Righteous.” The 2023 Season The Santa Fe Opera’s 66th Festival {…}
The Seattle Opera has announced its 2022-23 season featuring a number of debuts, new productions, and a world premiere. Salome Jicia and Amitati Pati star in Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore” with Rodion Pogossov and Luca Pisaroni. Stephen Lawless directs the production with Giampaolo Bisanti conducting. Performance Dates: August 6-20, 2022 Stefan Vinke, May Elizabeth Williams, and Alexandra LoBianco take on the {…}
This is it. Next week will bring us into the traditional fall opera season where most opera companies would have initially started to open up their initial productions. In Europe, this trend will continue. In North America, it won’t. So the streaming will continue in unique and diverse formats. This week’s recommendations are no different. As always, don’t forget to {…}
(Credit: Sony Classical/Baden-Baden/Tatiana Vlasova) The Konzerthaus Dortmund in Germany has unveiled its 2020-21 season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be on vocal or operatic performances. The season opens with Haydn’s “Die Schöpfung” with soloists Robin Johannsen, David Fischer, and Florian Boesch. The Collegium Vocale Gent and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is led by Philippe Herreweghe. Performance Date: {…}
The Welsh National Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring six productions on the main stage. Here is a look at what to expect. Autumn 2020 The season opens with a revival of Janáček and Preissová’s “Jenůfa” starring Amanda Majeski in the title role. She is joined by a cast that includes Peter Berger, Helena Zubanovich, Ed Lyon and Rhodri {…}
(Credit: Baus-La Monnaie /Catherine Ashmore- Royal Opera House/Javier del Rey-Teatro Real) This weekend will feature two productions of the epic “Don Carlo” in two different versions, a world premiere, a soprano taking on four roles in one opera, a Janacek work, and a star couple in one of Massenet’s greatest works. Here is what we recommend for the weekend. Macbeth {…}
Florentine Opera has announced its 2019-20 season, which will include three operas and an artist showcase. The first opera of the season will be Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” featuring the debuts of Calvin Griffin in the title role, Abigail Levis as Cherubino, and Alisa Calvin as the Countess, Ariana Douglas as Susanna, and Alexander Dobson as the Count. Shawna Lucey directs {…}
The Cincinnati Opera has announced its 100th anniversary season which will feature five operas. Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” will open the season with Aaron Blake, Rodion Pogossov, and Isabel Leonard headlining the cast. Renato Balsadonna conducts. Performance Dates: June 18 & 20, 2020 The season continues with the world premiere of “Fierce,” an opera by librettist Sheila Williams and composer {…}