On Feb. 5, 2020, soprano Hanna-Elisabeth Müller returned for a run of performances in this season’s production of Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” at the Metropolitan Opera. This will be her third opera with the company, after making her debut in 2017 in Beethoven’s “Fidelio” and subsequent performances of “Die Zauberflöte.” Müller came to international fame in 2014, performing the {…}
(Photo Credit: Metropolitan Opera House/Vladimir Shirokov) Soprano Anna Netrebko has been named the Laureate for the 2020 Polar Music Prize. The announcement was made on Tuesday morning, Feb. 11 at the Stockholm City Hall by Alfons Karabuda, chairman of the Polar Music Prize award committee. The Polar Music Prize was founded in 1989 by Stig Anderson, the manager and music {…}
(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to revive its new production of “Così Fan Tutte” for the first time since its initial run back in 2018. With the exception of Serena Malfi and Ben Bliss, who were among the singers to open the production, every other singer in this run is new to Phelim McDermott’s {…}
Richard Eyre’s production of “Le Nozze di Figaro” at the Metropolitan Opera is far from perfect. But what it has proven to be over the years, is durable and a blast for audiences and performers alike. Despite its metallic set that seems to swallow up sound from the stage, there is no doubt that its revivals are often fantastic experiences {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro.” The company announced that Amanda Woodbury will sing the Countess in all upcoming performances replacing Anita Hartig, who is ill. The American soprano won the Met’s National Council Auditions and has performed with the company since 2015. At the Met she has performed Leïla in Bizet’s {…}
Leontyne Price, born on Feb. 10, 1927, is undeniably one of the greatest sopranos to ever grace any opera stage. There is also no doubt that despite her international feats, her exploits at the Metropolitan Opera are easily her most renowned. And that is the subject of our latest opera quiz. As always, have fun!
(Credit: Marty Sohl / Metropolitan Opera) The operas of Handel are not necessarily standards at the Metropolitan Opera. And to a certain extent, that is understandable. They are rather expansive in runtime with ample casts and a musical style that doesn’t always suit the cavernous hall. But the reality is that these operas, while dating to the 18th century, are {…}
(Credit: Yan Bleney) Canadian baritone Étienne Dupuis will replace Polish singer Mariusz Kwiecień for the final three performances of Mozart and Da Ponte’s opera “Le Nozze di Figaro” at the Metropolitan Opera House, according to the official statement on the company’s website. Kwiecień has withdrawn from the production due to illness. Dupuis will perform the role of Count Almaviva on {…}
(Credit: Louise Leblanc / Quebec Opera) The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Evgeny Nikitin will sing the title role in all performances of the new production of Wagner’s “Der Fliegende Holländer.” Nikitin made his Met debut in 2002 in “War and Peace” and has since performed in productions of “Elektra,” “Boris Godunov,” “Parsifal,” “Tristan Und Isolde,” and “Götterdämmerung.” He recently {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl / Metropolitan Opera) The Met has a long, celebrated history with the works of Verdi, Puccini, and Mozart. But not so much with Baroque composers. In the Met’s 140-year history, the company has only presented four operas by Handel (four and a half, if you count the pastiche “The Enchanted Island”). But that’s all slowly changing. The {…}
(Credit: Jonathan Tichler/Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for Verdi’s “La Traviata” on Feb. 3, 2020. The company announced that Won Whi Choi will make his Met debut as Alfredo in tonight’s performance, replacing Dmytro Popov, who is ill. Choi is a festival singer with Theater Erfurt where he has performed such roles as Romeo in {…}