After the Metropolitan Opera announced its decision to pull the plug on Calixto Bieto’s new production of Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino,” the director’s manager is railing on the company. In an email to the associated press Susanne Herrnleben said that she “found the decision cruel and disappointing because he has done his best to meet the expectations of an American {…}
Ben Heppner was one of the most beloved dramatic tenors of his time and one that was admired for his technique. While he retired from the opera world and dedicated himself to radio, the tenor left so many memorable moments on stage. This season he celebrated his 25th anniversary at the Metropolitan Opera with a special gala alongside Deborah Voigt {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has cancelled its new production of Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino.” The Met’s 2017-18 season had originally planned a new production directed by Calixto Bieto, which premiered at the English National Opera in November 2015. Met General Manager Peter Gelb said the decision was a few months ago and he wanted to make the announcement ahead of {…}
Another weekend in 2017, even more operatic activity around the United States. Of course the Metropolitan Opera continues its busy schedule with “Il Barbiere di Sivilgia,” “La Bohème” and “Roméo et Juliette” the three major offerings with such stars as Javier Camarena, Pretty Yende, Ailyn Pérez, Michael Fabiano, Vittorio Grigolo and Diana Damrau leading the casts for their respective operas {…}
This review is for the performance on Wednesday January 11 and is written jointly by David & Francisco Salazar. Applause rang from every corner of the Metropolitan Opera, the audience awaiting the final performer to step onstage so that she too could get her accolades. The moment Ailyn Pérez walked out of the iconic golden curtain, she was not only {…}
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. {…}