(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Tilman Michael will be its next Chorus Director. Michael, who has been Chorus Master of the Frankfurt Opera since 2014-15, will take over for Donald Palumbo at the start of the 2024-25 season. Per an official press release issued by the Met, Michael was picked by Music Director {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its final performance of Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette” on March 30. The company said that the role of Juliette will be sung by So Young Park replacing Nadine Sierra. Park made her Met debut in 2019 as the Queen of the Night in “The Magic Flute.” She has performed at the {…}
It’s been 10 years since Puccini’s “La Rondine” has been performed at the Metropolitan Opera. The work is a light Puccini opera that is sometimes compared to an operetta and has been performed a total of 34 times at the famed house. In the past, it has often been brought to the company at the behest of a Diva who {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced a concert by the Kyiv Camerata, Ukraine’s leading chamber ensemble on April 28 at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall. The concert will showcase the ensemble in the United States for the first time since 1998 and they will perform an all-Ukrainian program of North American premieres conducted by Keri-Lynn Wilson featuring acclaimed mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and {…}
On March 20, 2024, the Metropolitan Opera was forced to present Puccini’s “Turandot” in a sem-staged version after a stage elevator jammed. According to the Associated Press, Met General Manager Peter Gelb made an announcement before the performance stating, “I’m sorry to say that this is not going to be a normal night at the opera — not that when {…}
The Metropolitan Opera is set to present Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” in its Live in HD series on March 23. The production by Bartlett Sher will star Nadine Sierra and Benjamin Bernheim and will be conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin The production also stars mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey as Stéphano and baritone Will Liverman as Mercutio. Rounding out the principal cast are {…}
(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera has announced the five winners of its Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition. The winners are as follows: Daniel Espinal, 24, tenor (New England Region; Sarasota, FL); Faith P. Geier Award Lydia Grindatto, 28, soprano (Midwest Region; Tijeras, NM); Fernand Lamesch Award Navasard Hakobyan, 25, baritone (Eastern Region; Yerevan, Armenia); Dominique Laffont {…}
The Metropolitan Opera revived Bartlett Sher’s production of “Roméo et Juliette” for the first time since 2018. As always, Gounod’s famed masterpiece is all about its two titular characters, the opera designed to explore the dynamics of the lovers amidst the larger feud between their warring families. Painting with Vocal Colors The Met Opera nailed its casting of Benjamin Bernheim {…}
The 2024 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition has announced the finalists. The finals will be held on March 17 at 3 p.m. and will be hosted by Denyce Graves and there will be a special performance from bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green. Finalists were chosen by a panel of judges comprising artistic leaders from the Met and other companies. {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond) Great Performances at the Met is set to showcase Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally’s “Dead Man Walking” on March 15, 2024. The opera stars Joyce DiDonato, Ryan McKinny, Latonia Moore, and Susan Graham. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts this Metropolitan Opera premiere while Ivo Van Hove directs the production. Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens hosts the broadcast. {…}
(Credit: Steven Harris ) The Metropolitan Opera has announced its first-ever Met Orchestra Asia tour, which will take place between June 19-30, 2024 in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. One program features music from “Der Fliegende Holländer,” “Pelléas et Mélisande,” and the entirety of “Bluebeard’s Castle,” starring Elīna Garanča and Christian Van Horn. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts. Performance Date: June 19 (Seoul), June {…}
