(Credit: Karen Almond / Met Opera) This week, the Metropolitan Opera is set to present Jake Heggie’s “Moby Dick” for the first time in the company’s history. It is being headlined by Brandon Jovanovich, who is taking on the role of Captain Ahab. Jovanovich is no stranger to the work as he covered the role of Ahab during its world {…}
The year is at an end. But a new year brings new opera experiences and here at OperaWire, we are pumped for the potential of numerous performances. Here are the 10 productions we are most excited for in the first half of the 2025, in alphabetical order (and each company is limited to a single production on the list). Die {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) This week, the Metropolitan Opera will premiere a new production of Verdi’s “Aida” after 36 years. Michael Mayer’s new production will replace Sonja Frisell’s legendary production and with it, the Met has lined up one of the most anticipated Aida’s of her generation, Angel Blue. Over the past seasons, the Met has been preparing {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has added a new cast member to its production of “Il Trovatore.” The company announced that Gwyn Hughes-Jones will sing the final performances of the run on Dec. 3 and 6, 2024. Hughes-Jones performed the role of Manrico at the Met in 2012 and critics stated, “Hughes-Jones sang with ardent muscle.” The tenor made his Met debut {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera’s 2024–25 Live in HD season will continue with composer Jeanine Tesori and librettist George Brant’s “Grounded.” The HD presentation will be held on Oct. 19, 2024, and will star Canadian mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo as Jess, tenor Ben Bliss as Eric, soprano Ellie Dehn as Also Jess, baritone Kyle Miller as the Sensor, and {…}
With 2024-25 just a month away, OperaWire is breaking down 10 opera productions that are must-sees for all opera lovers from around the world for the fall season. Aindamar – Metropolitan Opera (Oct. 15 – Nov. 9, 2024) For the second year in a row (and the first time in its history that this happens), the Metropolitan Opera will present {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its March 2, 2024 performance of “Turandot.” The company announced that Juliana Grigoryan will replace Aleksandra Kurzak in the role of Liu. The news comes as Kurzak will be performing “Madama Butterfly” on the same day following a cast change. Grigoryan will now make her Met debut a few days earlier {…}
(Photo: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera will team up with The Apollo to present a free simulcast of “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X” on Nov. 18, 2023. This represents the first-ever collaboration between the two institutions. The Apollo seats approximately 1,200 people. “The Apollo is thrilled to be partnering with the Metropolitan Opera to {…}
Photo: Ken Howard/Met Opera March 7, 2023, saw the second performance of the third cast in the Metropolitan Opera’s run of Verdi’s “La Traviata,” starring Angel Blue. Michael Mayer’s lavish production sets the stage for the unfolding tragedy in ways that both amplify and obscure certain aspects. From the overture, we’re presented with a tableau of the moment following Violetta’s {…}
The Metropolitan Opera in conjunction with the New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, Carnegie Hall, and many other venues have announced that masks will be optional. The company announced that starting Oct. 24 audiences will not be required to wear masks. According to the Met Opera and the other venues, with vaccines, boosters, and antiviral treatments now widely available, {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its production of Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.” The company noted that Russian soprano Svetlana Sozdateleva will make her Met debut singing Katerina Ismailova in all performances replacing Eva-Maria Westbroek. Sozdateleva was set to make her Met debut during the 2020-21 season in the “The Fiery Angel” but was canceled due {…}