Samuel Barber’s “Antony and Cleopatra” was supposed to be an opera for the ages. But it was not to be. Commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera for the opening of its new house at Lincoln Center, the opera’s Sept. 16, 1966, world premiere is widely remembered as a colossal failure, not only because the Franco Zeffirelli production was filled with one {…}
Rihab Chaieb is a rising star in the opera world having won the 2016 Gerda Lissner International Vocal Competition and becoming a member of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Program. The Tunisian mezzo-soprano has quickly earned praise singing a number of houses including the Canadian Opera Company where she was a member of the Ensemble Studio and participant in {…}
Ramón Vargas is one of the great artists of the past few decades. Born on Sept. 11, 1960, the tenor has managed an international career in a wide range of repertoire from the great Bel Canto roles through some more dramatic territory in recent years. Hailing from México City, the tenor started singing at age nine and would go on {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has released the trailer for Susan Froemke’s new documentary “The Opera House.” The new documentary chronicles the creation of the Met’s new home in Lincoln Center during a period of momentous change for New York City. The film will include interviews with Leontyne Price and other legends who saw the building of the new house. The film will make {…}
The Metropolitan Opera Guild is doing its best to set up the next generation of opera administrators by creating DaCapo (Developing Artistic and Creative Administrative Professionals) Arts Administration Program. The program is set to be a two-day intensive on Oct. 14 and 15 that will teach students about a wide array of topics including Advanced Planning & Production, Crisis Management, {…}
The Metropolitan Opera and New York Film Festival are teaming up to showcase a new documentary about the company’s history at the middle of the 20th century. Directed by Susan Froemke, “The Opera House,” per a press release, “surveys a remarkable period of the company’s rich history and a time of great change for New York.” It draws on rarely {…}
Ruth Ann Swenson was an American darling during the 80s and 90s and the early 2000s. Her coloratura soprano was renown for its bright color, flexibility, and gleaming high notes. And she was also known for numerous roles from the standard repertoire and other rarer gems she explored throughout her career. To celebrate her birth on August 25, 1959, Operawire takes {…}
It’s that time of the year when companies begin to rehearse for opening night and as a result, rather than put the focus on individual singers, this week we will see what companies are sharing about their preparations. Opera Philadelphia Opera Philadephia’s festival opens in two weeks and rehearsals have clearly begun. This week the company posted a picture of {…}
Anna Netrebko has confirmed the Metropolitan Opera’s 2020-21 production of “Aida.” According to Platea Magazine, Netrebko will open a new production that will be conducted by Yannick Nezet-Seguin. The soprano also confirmed it on Instagram. But there will be a twist. According to the Spanish Magazine, Netrebko will sing a new production. She is also scheduled to take on Sonja Frisell’s {…}
Fabio Armiliato is one of the most respected Italian tenors of his generation. Together with his late wife Daniela Dessi, he performed all over the world in many of the most popular works. He also made a career out of championing less known operas. While he is currently in demand in Europe, his U.S. engagements continue to be limited with {…}
Kathleen Battle is one of the greatest opera stars of all time. Everyone knows that her career was one of many ups and downs, the latter ultimately cost her years of her prime, but while she was at the summit of the opera world, there were few anywhere near her. Battle, born August 13, 1948, had simply too many milestones {…}