(Credit: Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera) Verdi’s “Macbeth” may be a major repertory staple, but its Met history is actually not as extensive as one might imagine. In sum, the Verdi opera has appeared just 105 times in the company’s history. When it returns on Wednesday, Sept. 25, the company will be reviving it for the first time in five {…}
(Credit: Opera Theatre of St. Louis) “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” is set to be performed at the Metropolitan Opera. The New York Times revealed that the Terrence Blanchard opera, which had its world premiere at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis this past summer, could make its premiere during the 2020-21 season. It will be the first opera {…}
(Credit: Yusifeyvazov.com/Salvatore Sportato) The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its upcoming revival of Puccini’s “Turandot.” The company announced that Roberto Aronica has withdrawn from the role of Calàf due to personal reasons. As a result, Yusif Eyvazov will sing Calàf in the Oct. 3, 6, 9, and 12 while Riccardo Massi will sing the role in performances {…}
(Photo by Paola Kudacki/Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera will open its 2019-20 season with a new production of “Porgy and Bess.” The showcase on Sept. 23, 2019 will be the 55th in the company’s history and by the end of the run, the company will be inching toward 70 total performances of the opera. As we prepare to go forward {…}
The shortlist for the Gramophone Awards 2019 has been announced. For the purposes of this article, we will focus solely on opera or vocal related awards. In the opera category, John Adams’ “Doctor Atomic” with the compose conducting was the first of three selections. Halevy’s “La Reine de Chypre” was the second nomination; this production featured the Orchestre de chambre {…}
Hibla Gerzmava is set to sing the title role of “Aida” at the Metropolitan Opera. In a press release announcing her upcoming Carnegie Hall recital, the soprano revealed she will sing the title role during the 2020-21 season in Michael Mayer’s new production. The soprano will likely alternate with Anna Netrebko who will open the production on opening night of {…}
Yusif Eyvazov will be singing three performances of Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades” at the Metropolitan Opera this fall. According to the company’s official website, the tenor will take on the role on Dec. 8, 14, and 21; all three were previously intended for Aleksandrs Antonenko, who remains scheduled for the performances on Nov. 29, Dec. 2, and 5. Kristian {…}
Dolors Zajick has officially announced her retirement from the Stage. After having spoken about it in the Italian press, the legendary mezzo-soprano announced she will sing her final performances in the spring of 2020 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in “Kát’a Kabanová.” Zajick made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Azucena in “Il Trovatore” in 1988 and went on {…}
There won’t be a ton of opera during Labor Day weekend, but that doesn’t mean that opera lovers can’t get their fix one way or another. So this weekend’s recommendations will buck the trend a bit with the recommendations. Opera Night – Fellini’s Café Every Monday night, the Fellini’s Café puts on its opera night with restaurant goers getting a {…}
Great Performances from the Metropolitan Opera will present Poulenc’s “Dialogues des Carmélites” on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019 at 12 p.m. EDT. The performance was presented Live in HD on the final day of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2018-19 season and featured Isabel Leonard as Blanche de la Force. Erin Morley, Karita Mattila, Adrianne Pieczonka, and Karen Cargill also star under the {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has made its statement regarding accusations leveled against Plácido Domingo for sexual harassment. “We take accusations of sexual harassment and abuse of power with extreme seriousness,” said the statement. “We will await the results of the investigation into Plácido Domingo’s behavior as head of the Los Angeles Opera before making any final decisions about Mr. Domingo’s ultimate {…}