The Met Orchestra will be making a $17,000 donation to the National Opera of Ukraine Orchestra. The funds were raised as part of a fundraiser aimed at supporting musicians suffering during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Per a press statement, the idea for the fundraiser emerged during rehearsals for the Met Opera’s “Concert for Ukraine” on March 14, 2022. “The {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) This is a review of the April 1st performance, the opening night of this production’s first revival at the Metropolitan Opera. To stage a successful production of Strauss’ “Elektra” is a monumental feat all its own, but to do it with such sophistication and finesse as the Metropolitan Opera’s Friday night performance is herculean. {…}
The Grammy Awards have announced the classical music winners. The Best Opera Recording went to “Akhnaten” from the Metropolitan Opera. The award was accepted by Anthony Roth Costanzo, Zachary James, and Dísella Lárusdóttir. Among the other winners who were part of the recording were producer David Frost, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus, conductor Karen Kamensek, and J’Nai {…}
On March 25, 2022, the Metropolitan Opera presented this season’s premiere of Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin.” Deborah Warner’s 2013 production holds strong nearly a decade later through its emphasis on the humanity of the moment and the music. Led by Maestro James Gaffigan, Friday’s cast was comprised of artists new and familiar to the work, who never failed to seize the {…}
The Metropolitan Opera will revive R. Strauss’ “Elektra” in Patrice Chéreau’s celebrated staging. The production will return for six performances from April 1 to 20 and will star Nina Stemme in her acclaimed turn of the title role. The soprano will be joined by Lise Davidsen, making her role debut as Elektra’s sister Chrysothemis. It will mark her third Met production of {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Yannick Nézet-Séguin has dropped out of the HD performance of “Don Carlos.” The company noted that conductor Patrick Furrer will lead the performance. Furrer recently conducted the performances of “Don Carlos” on March 18 and 22 and made his Met debut earlier this season in 2021 in the holiday production of “The Magic Flute.” {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta) The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Eleonora Buratto will take over the role of Elizabeth de Valois in the 2022-23 production of “Don Carlo.” Buratto will replace Anna Netrebko, who the company broke ties with over her previous support of Vladimir Putin. Buratto will sing the first five performances of the production before Angela Meade will take {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera has announced a conductor change for its 2022-23 revival of Wagner’s “Der Fliegende Holländer.” The company noted that Thomas Guggeis will make his Met debut replacing Jaap van Zweden. Guggeis is the Staatskapellmeister at the Staatsoper Berlin and is set to make debuts at the Vienna State Opera and the Semperoper {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced a change to its 2022-23 HD season. The company canceled the HD performance of “Don Carlo” scheduled for Nov. 19 and has changed the HD to “Falstaff” on April 1. The change comes after Anna Netrebko withdrew from the production after she condemned the war but did not distance herself from Putin. “Falstaff” will be {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for tonight’s performance of Verdi’s “Don Carlos.” The company noted that conductor Patrick Furrer will conduct the performance replacing Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Furrer conducted the performance on March 18 and made his Met debut earlier this season in 2021 in the holiday production of “The Magic Flute.” He has conducted at the Hong {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera has announced it will ban a heckler from future Met performances after his outburst during the March 17 performance of “Ariadne auf Naxos.” The company told the New York Observer, “Although opera singers are vocal athletes, they should not be subjected to the kind of heckling that sports spectators get away {…}
