It was a rough Thursday for the Metropolitan Opera as the company reportedly let go of 21 employees. While other publications noted that the number was far higher, the organization holds that only 21 members of the organization were affected by the major cuts of administration employees. “As you know, the Met continues to face economic challenges as it copes {…}
The much-anticipated opening of the Met Opera’s 2017-2018 season is one month away. Beginning this weekend, the company begins warming up its audience with outdoor, HD transmissions of previous productions. As the audience stares at the facade of America’s most beloved opera house, they might also be wondering, “What’s going on while the Met is dark all summer?” Dance Director {…}
Anna Netrebko will be sing two different productions of “Aida” at the Metropolitan Opera in two different seasons. Per Parterre, “A spokesman for Anna Netrebko informs parterre box that the diva is scheduled to sing Aïda at the Met during the 2018-2019 season in the existing production by Sonja Frisell. She will reprise the role in 2020-2021 in a new production of {…}
PBS’ “Great Performances” series for 2017 comes to an end this summer with a performance of the Metropolitan Opera’s “Der Rosenkavalier” starring Renée Fleming, and Elina Garanca. The showcase will be on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 12:30 p.m. EDT. The performance was recorded on the final day of the 2016-17 season and was Fleming’s final performance as the Marschallin at {…}
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra launches its Carnegie Hall series on May 31, 2017 and will showcase three diverse programs showcasing some of Mahler’s greatest vocal writing. The series kicks off on May 31 with Susan Graham and Matthew Polenzani in selections from “Des Knaben Wunderhorn” and Symphony No. 1. Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the program. On June 3, Salonen conducts mezzo-soprano Karen {…}
A number of major operas premiere new productions this weekend. Here are the major highlights of the weekend. The New York City Opera is back in action this weekend with a rare performance of Resphigi’s “La Campana Sommersa.” The rarely performed opera stars Fabio Armiliato and will be showcased on March 31 and April 1 with subsequent performances during the {…}
With the 2017 Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions having been announced, the spotlight has shifted solely onto these young artists. Who are they? What have they done? And what are they up to next. OperaWire previously answered the two first questions on a previous article, but this one will focus solely on where these artists are headed next. Here is {…}
The Nine finalists for the Met National Council Auditions have been announced. Below we take a look at some fun facts for each of these talented singers, of which a handful will enter into history as winners of this historic competition. Samantha Hankey – Mezzo-Soprano (Marshfield, Massachusetts) Hankey’s major accomplishments include a 2016 Sara Tucker Study Grant. She is currently pursuing {…}
Fidelio opens at the Metropolitan on Thursday, March 16, 2017. Being Beethoven’s only opera, it has been given great prominence at the Metropolitan Opera, to the tune of 230 performances. Here are some other fun facts about the opera over the course of its Met Opera history. 1. The opera’s very first performance was on Nov. 19, 1884, and featured {…}
This Monday, March 6, Mozart’s “Idomeneo” returns to the Metropolitan Opera for a run featuring some of the world’s greatest singers. “Idomeneo” is one of the rare Mozart operas that only gets a look every once in a while. It was the composer’s 13th work for the operatic stage and came right before the ever popular “Abduction from the Seraglio.” {…}
A new opera starts its life on Saturday while a rarity gets its premiere in a major city and a modern masterwork arrives in our nation’s capital. Yes, opera is finally starting to bloom around the States, with many smaller companies getting in on the act. Arizona Opera is showcasing the world premiere of Bohmler’s “Riders of the Purple Sage.” {…}