The old Irish proverb “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t” is particularly applicable to Barcelona-born director Àlex Ollé. Without insinuating any untoward obsession with Satan, in the past ten years Ollé has had numerous dramaturgical dalliances with the Prince of Darkness. First was the cutesy “[email protected]” in collaboration with Fura dels Baus co-director Carlos Padrissa. In {…}
Christian Van Horn is one of today’s rising stars in the opera world, the bass making major role debuts and opening new productions at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Canadian Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera. This year, he became the third bass-baritone to win the Richard Tucker Award and the first of his voice type since 2003. Van Horn’s {…}
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, born on August 28, 1749, is one of the great German writers in history. Unsurprisingly, his literary prowess has inspired a wide range of operatic works, many of which are staples of the canon. Here is a survey of operas based on the works of Goethe. Faust Goethe’s masterwork is undeniably the source of many operas. {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment is Christopher Nolan’s “Batman {…}
“Mefistofele” is Arrigo Boito’s only fully completed opera, and as such, it is a prized jewel. The work, which premiered on March 5, 1868 at La Scala, is a faithful adaptation of Goethe’s “Faust.” Whereas most adaptations of the work focus on the first part of the work, Boito adapts both sections, including the the Helen of Troy sequence. As {…}
The Chorégies d’Orange has announced its 2018 season which will include two productions and recitals, among other things. Everything kicks off on May 25, 2018 with “Pop the Opera,” a concert featuring hundreds of artists from around the aria, performing famous excerpts from the world of opera. There will also be pop tunes and film music, giving the experience a {…}
San Francisco Opera is striking up a partnership with KQED Public Television to bring opera into the homes of Bay Area residents with two telecasts that will feature Verdi’s “Atilla” and Boito’s “Mefistofele.” The former performance will be aired on Thursday, August 3, 2017 on KQED 9 while the latter comes three weeks later, with the viewing experience taking place on Thursday, {…}
Conductor Daniele Rustioni is poised to change things up at the Opera de Lyon in coming seasons. The Italian maestro was presented as the newly minted Music Director of the company at a private reception in New York on Thursday at the Bar Boulud on Broadway. Along with him was Lyon Opera’s own General Director Serge Dorny to reveal the {…}