This article was written by David & Francisco Salazar The Met Opera is very consistent at bringing the best stars from around the world to perform on its legendary stage. And year after year, the audience is gifted with potent operatic performances. This year was no different and today, we enthuse about the 10 singers that remain stuck with us. {…}
Another big season at the Metropolitan Opera has come and gone. The 2018-19 was a rather fascinating one from a repertory perspective, offering up a wide range of music from some of the greatest composers. The year wound up being a mixed bag of sorts from a quality standpoint with the best performances arguably taking place once the calendar turned {…}
San Francisco Opera’s 2019 Summer Season opens with Bizet’s “Carmen” with an all-star cast. The production by Francesca Zambello is set to star American mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges in her first professional performances of the title role and American tenor Matthew Polenzani in his role debut as Don José. They are joined by Romanian soprano Anita Hartig, who makes her San {…}
On the evening of April 26, 2019, guests excitedly filed into the Metropolitan Opera’s grand auditorium, eager to experience Verdi’s masterpiece “Rigoletto.” Returning to the stage for its second run of performances this season with a new principal cast, Michael Mayer’s production sets the tragic opera in Las Vegas in the 1960s. With the audience seated and Maestro Nicola Luisotti standing ready {…}
The Berlin Philharmonic has announced its 2019-2020 season featuring numerous guests including Marlis Petersen as the Artist in Residence. Here is a look at the starry Lineup. The season opens with Kirill Petrenko conducting Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Marlis Petersen, Elisabeth Kulman, and Benjamin Bruns. The concert will also include Alban Berg’s “Lulu Suite.” Performance Dates: August 23-31, 2019 John {…}
(Credit: Richard Termine / Met Opera) Mozart’s “La Clemenza di Tito” is undeniably one of his greatest operas. The work certainly has its dramatic challenges, but it is hard to look at the score and find one piece that misses the mark. Every single musical number is vibrant, full of life, and unique in its own way. Not even the {…}
Mozart’s “La Clemenza di Tito” has only had 45 performances to date at the Metropolitan Opera. Compared to other major works by the iconic composer, that number is rather low. The opera actually had its Met premiere on Oct. 18, 1984. It’s history with the company has been marked by a wide range of major stars in the three main {…}
The Baden-Baden Festival has announced its 2019-20 season with a number of great performers and concerts. For this article, we have only concentrated on vocal and opera events. here is a look. Fall Festival John Neumeier directs Gluck’s “Orfeo et Eurydice” with Alessandro de Marchi conducting. Performance Dates: Sept. 27-19, 2019 Dorothee Mields sings a program centered on Der Orpheus-Mythos {…}
On Sunday, February 24, 2019, tenor Matthew Polenzani took to Carnegie Hall for a sold-out recital of song cycles from Schubert, Beethoven, Brahms, and Janacek. Accompanied by Julius Drake, this evening’s recital featured not only a finely-crafted program, but experienced artists who burned with a passionate fire. Some Schubert To Start First on the evening’s program was a selection of {…}
Bryan Hymel has withdrawn from upcoming performances as the Duke in Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Hymel has canceled due to personal reasons. As a result, Francesco Demuro will sing the Duke in the March 6, 9, 15, and 20 performances, while Matthew Polenzani will perform on April 26, May 1, and 4; tenor Stephen Costello will sing {…}
Matthew Poelnzani has canceled the opening night performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Iolanta.” The tenor announced via social media that he was ill and therefore would have to cancel. “I am sorry to let you know that I have to cancel tonight’s performance of Iolanta at the Met due to illness,” he said. “I wish all of my colleagues a beautiful opening and {…}