Rudolf Bing’s name towers in the world of opera. The Austrian-born impresario, born on January 9, 1902, has an enduring legacy, in many ways tainted by the scandals and feuds Bing was known to have with the opera’s greatest figures and lesser-known figures during many of the company’s most tumultuous years. But to see the general manager who wielded his {…}
On Friday, Jan. 13, international audiences will get a chance to check out some of the world’s greatest singers perform Bellini’s “La Sonnambula” live from the Vienna State Opera as part of the company’s live stream offerings. The performance, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. local time (that’s 1:30 p.m. for people on the East Coast in the U.S. and {…}
The weekend of Jan. 6-8 will see the return of many prominent opera companies around the country after a lengthy holiday hiatus. The Metropolitan Opera, which continues throughout the year, will feature three popular works including “La Boheme,” an HD performance of Verdi’s “Nabucco” and evening showcase of Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette” starring Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolo. Nabucco stars {…}
This review is written for the performance on Wednesday, January 4, 2017. Romeo and Juliette are undeniably the most famous couple in all of western literature and quite possibly the world. In hands of the famous bard, the two star-crossed teens fighting for their love in the midst of a family feud is one filled with tremendous emotional weight and {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has confirmed that David McVicar will direct two new productions for the 2017-18 season. In the January Playbill’s welcome letter, Gelb noted that McVicar would be directing a new production of Bellini’s “Norma” and Puccini’s “Tosca.” The two productions will mark the director’s seventh and eighth productions at the Metropolitan Opera. As noted last year in a {…}
30 performances. Seven cities. Five house debuts and two role debuts. That is what tenor Brian Jagde faces in 2017. The first half of 2017 that is. The tenor, who has been growing in prominence over the last few years, is slated for a monstrous calendar year that will see him make more house debuts than he ever has before. {…}
Knoxville residents will have the opportunity to witness the future of opera this weekend as the public will be invited to the Middle/East Tennessee District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions hosted by Knoxville Opera Guild on Jan. 7. The auditions, which begin at 10 am, are being held at the the Powell Recital Hall of the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center at the {…}
Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel is a knight. The opera superstar was given the title in the New Year Honours by Queen Elizabeth II. “This is monumental for people to receive such an accolade,” he stated according to BBC News. “I’m immensely proud to accept this and I think of my family, I think of my sons, I think of my {…}
New Years weekend will not be particularly active in the American opera scene. Only three major companies will make their respective presences felt as the calendar turns from 2016 to 2017. The Metropolitan Opera will continue its full slate of operas, showcasing three works to end the year. There will be two performances given on Friday, December 30. At 12 {…}
Gounod’s beloved “Romeo Juliette” returns to the Met on New Years Eve with a star cast that includes two singers that had electric chemistry in another great French work a few years ago. The Performers Diana Damrau and Vittorio were a dynamic duo when they took the stage for Massenet’s “Manon” back in March 2015. Their chemistry was revered by {…}
Polish tenor Piotr Beczala was born on this day, December 28, exactly 50 years ago. In celebration of the tenor’s big day, Operawire shares 50 facts about the operatic superstar. Piotr Beczala was born on Dec. 28, 1966. He is from Czechowice-Dziedzice in southern Poland. He studied under Sena Jurinac in Switzerland. He is married to Katarzyna Beczała. Beczala is known for choosing his roles wisely {…}