In Italy, Verdi and Puccini are the great representatives of Italian opera. In Germany, it’s Wagner and Strauss. In France? It’s hard to argue against anyone but Massenet. But what’s curious about the great composer’s output is that while he was rather bounteous in his creation, only a handful of operas actually became major staples. “Manon,” “Werther,” “Thaïs.” You could {…}
Little could Met audiences know about the full fledged lyricism of Petr Nekoranec when he took on the spieltenor role of the Doyen in the company’s premiere production of “Cendrillon” in 2018. Certainly, the Doyen has earned his keep in the eclectic repertoire of Jules Massenet and the long tradition of French opéra comique; it remains, however, a somewhat ungrateful {…}
Russian tenor Dmitry Korchak’s second solo album for Decca, a compilation of romantic French arias, provides an insightful interpretation of French style, dazzling high notes ,and impressive piannismi and diminuedo phrasing. The album presents, with the exception of the less popular Bizet’s aria “À la voix d’un amant fidele,” a selection of the most renowned lyrical and romantic French arias. {…}
The Opéra National de Paris is teaming up with France.TV to showcase its new production of Massenet’s “Manon.” The production starred Pretty Yende and Benjamin Bernheim as Manon and Des Grieux. Roberto Tagliavini and Ludovic Tézier also appeared withthe production conducted by Dan Ettinger and directed by Vincent Huguet. The showcase struggled to make it to the stage in late {…}
(Credit: Steven Pisano) I have always been partial to small and regional opera companies as they struggled to hold the flag high for the art of opera, often in the unlikeliest places. First, it seemed to me those small companies mirrored what was the norm in Europe, with so many of the small towns with their own opera theater and {…}
(Credit: Opéra National de Paris) The performance of Massenet’s “Manon,” which was scheduled for today, Feb. 26 at the Opéra National de Paris, has been abruptly canceled due to the technical reasons, according to the official statement on the company’s website. The cast for the opera, which was written by Meilhac and Gille, included Amina Edris in the title role, {…}
AVA will showcase a unique recital entitled “Forgotten Opera Excerpts by Jules Massenet” on May 3 and 5, 2020 at the Helen Corning Warden Theater. Pianist and Music Director Audrey Saint-Gil will lead the evening with resident artists performing select duets and arias. The performers include Aubry Ballarò, Claire de Monteil, Yihan Duan, Emily Margevich, Renée Richardson, Alice Chung, Chelsea Laggan, {…}
(Credit: Zemsky/Green Artists Management) The Opéra National de Paris has announced that Sofia Fomina has withdrawn from the title role in Massenet’s “Manon” due to the personal reasons. As a result, Amina Edris will take over the opera written by Meilhac and Gille’s opera on performances scheduled for March 7, 13, 22 & 28, 2020. Edris recently performed the role {…}
(Photo Source: Tact International Art Management) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced a major cast change for its upcoming performances of “Thaïs,” according to its official website. Andrei Danilov will replace previously scheduled tenor Paolo Fanale in the role of Nicias for the both concert performances of the famed Massenet opera on April 8 and April 12. Danilov has recently {…}
PBS will present the Live in HD broadcast of “Manon” from the Metropolitan Opera on Jan. 5, 2020 as it kicks off the 2019-20 Great Performances Series. The broadcast will kick off at 12 p.m. EDT and features Lisette Oropesa in the title role with Michael Fabiano as her lover Chevalier des Grieux. Artur Rucinski, Brett Polegato, Kwangchul Youn, and {…}
(Photo: Clive Barda) Massenet’s “Don Quichotte” may not be an opera you would usually associate with Wexford. Judged a success at its premier in Monte Carlo in 1910, in which Chaliapin featured in the title role, it has since struggled to establish itself as part of the mainstream repertoire. It can, therefore, hardly be deemed a forgotten or rarely performed {…}