The Metropolitan Opera saw a huge debut at the June 4 performance of “The Queen of Spades.” Galina Cheplakova sang the role of Lisa stepping in for Sonya Yoncheva. Cheplakova has performed with the Bashkir State Opera, Oper Graz, the State Opera in Kazakhstan, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and Berliner Philharmoniker. She has also covered at the Bayerische Staatsoper. Her repertoire {…}
(Photos: Evan Zimmerman / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera’s spring cast for Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Puccini’s “La Bohème” left a lasting impression through this most iconic work. Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer Music Director of Met Opera, made the night fun and engaging for audience members of all ages and backgrounds, along with a stellar cast of voices including {…}
(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera) In 2006, the Beverly Sills Award was established to help further the careers of rising stars by providing additional funding for vocal coaching, language study, travel costs, and other professional expenses. Sills was well-known as a supporter and friend to developing young artists, and the award was meant to honor her legacy as an {…}
(This review was written in collaboration with Francisco Salazar) The road to the Met Opera’s second performance of “The Queen of Spades” on Wednesday, May 28, was almost as dramatic as the opera itself. The role of Hermann is a monster. One of the most difficult in the repertoire, not only does it challenge the tenor taking it on with {…}
(Photo by Olivia-Kahler) The Metropolitan Opera has named Rachel Willis-Sørensen the 2025 Beverly Sills Artist Award Winner. Willis-Sørensen will receive $50,000 as part of the award, which recognizes “extraordinarily gifted singers with rising Met careers.” The soprano debuted in 2014 in “Le Nozze di Figaro” and has since appeared in several major productions with the company. This season, she was {…}
(Credit: Metropolitan Opera / Ken Howard ) The Metropolitan Opera has announced another major cast change for “The Queen of Spades.” The role of Hermann will now be sung by Arsen Soghomonyan. It was originally announced with Brian Jagde taking on the role, but the tenor withdrew from the production in favor of Brandon Jovanovich, who is no longer listed {…}
On May 16, Jack Swanson will make his Metropolitan Opera debut. The American tenor has become one of the most in demand for his work in the Bel Canto repertoire singing at major houses like the Staatsoper Hamburg, Houston Grand Opera, Rossini Opera Festival, Opéra National de Paris, Grand Théâtre de Genève, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Arena di Verona, and {…}
(Photo Credit: Karen Almond / Met Opera) Antony and Cleopatra. The two icons have long been mythologized throughout history, their story captured in theater, cinema, and even the opera. In fact, the story of the lovers is forever linked to the Metropolitan Opera and its new house. And unfortunately, it isn’t always a heroic story. To this day, we hear {…}
After months of lobbying, the Metropolitan Opera has received $5 million in one-time operating support from the State of New York. According to a press release by AGMA members who work at the Metropolitan Opera, with the support of AGMA staff, they helped deliver the win, not just for the Met but for the future of opera in New York. {…}
(Credit: Inés Bacher) A mysterious traveler climbed onto the stage, draped in a long garment. A burnished gold and bronze curtain rose slowly on her approach as she sought to enter it. Slowly, a second curtain began to rise. All was suspended, still. It seemed as if time began to peel away. We were elsewhere as well as right there. {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) On May 1, the Metropolitan Opera presented the second performance of its spring “Aida” run. This run is special as it marks the return of Elīna Garanča to the Met for the first time in five years. It is incidentally, also her first Verdi role in the United States. Garanča made her role debut {…}