Premiering on February 16, 1892, at the Vienna State Opera, “Werther” is adapted from the novel “The Sorrows of Young Werther,” written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Although the work would be later staged at the Opera-Comique in Paris, it was first rejected due to its serious tone and sullen protagonist. It wasn’t until the success of “Manon” that Massenet {…}
Massenet composed legions of operas. But “Manon” remains the most renowned of his works, presenting frequently all around the world to this very day. The opera had its world premiere on Jan. 19, 1884, and has never left the stage. Based on the Abbé Prévost’s famed novel from 1731, the opera takes liberties with the material, though the core of {…}
“The voice must be heard.” For the last two years, this has been the calling card for the Metropolitan Opera’s marketing department, a call to just come and listen to opera as it is intended to be. An invitation to experience something that can’t be experienced anywhere. For many, that tagline has been particularly emblematic of the vocal wizardry that {…}
This Saturday afternoon, Ailyn Pérez becomes just the sixth soprano in Metropolitan Opera history to take on the role of Massenet’s “Thaïs.” The opera doesn’t have a particularly massive history, sung just 73 times with the company in 100 years, the first performance coming all the way back in February 1917. Here is a look at all the other major {…}
When you come right down to it – French Grand Opera – is very grand. A large canvas, huge sets, wide-ranging costumes, display of various kinds, sweeping music, on occasion, and musical textures that vary and offer range of interest – plus human beings, who, set into this panorama – resume their rightful size: ordinary. What? We control our own {…}
It will be a fun week for Ellie Dehn. A few months ago, soprano Nadine Sierra was slated to be the artist to lead the San Francisco Opera’s new production of “Manon.” But Sierra pulled out of the role and Dehn was called upon to take the torch of one of the hardest roles in the lyric soprano repertoire. It {…}
Francisco Araiza, born on Oct. 4, 1950, is one of the greatest Mexican tenors of all time. He pioneered a path for many singers from Latin America, including such stars as Ramón Vargas and Javier Camarena. He had a tremendously diverse repertoire, stretching from Mozart and Rossini, all the way to Wagner, from whom he took on lead roles in {…}
Opera Santa Barbara kicks off its 2017-18 season with Massenet’s “Manon” on Nov. 3, 2017, with an additional showcase two days later on Nov. 5. Acclaimed soprano Sarah Coburn will star in the title role while tenor Harold Meers will appear as her lover Des Grieux. The cast will also include baritone Alex DeSocio as Lescaut, bass-baritone Colin Ramsey as {…}
No more Nadine Sierra at San Francisco Opera next season. Instead, soprano Ellie Dehn will replace the recent Richard Tucker Award winner in next season’s production of “Manon.” The official announcement was made on Monday, indicating that Dehn would sing all six performances of the run which kicks off on Nov. 5, 2017 and ends on Nov. 22, 2017. According {…}
Jules Massenet and Gabriel Fauré were born on the same day three years apart. May 12, 1842, brought us the former and three years later, his impressionist counterpart was born. The two were prominent French composers of their time, though one is better known for his orchestral works and the other for his opera. Fauré did compose two operas and {…}
The Bilbao Opera has announced its 2017-18 Season with five operas. The season begins on Oct. 21 with Verdi’s “I Masnadieri” starring Carmen Giannattasio in her Bilbao debut. It also marks the first time in 12 seasons since the opera was last performed in Bilbao and will be presented in a production by Leo Muscato that first at the Teatro Regio {…}