Andrea Bocelli Brings Early Valentine’s with ‘Three Centuries of Love’ Concert

On February 10, 2019, celebrated tenor Andrea Bocelli returned to the Metropolitan Opera for the first performance of his concert, titled “Three Centuries of Love.” This encompassing program featured selections from composers such as Massenet, Verdi, Rossini, Donizetti, Delibes, Gounod, and Puccini; joining Bocelli were sopranos Nadine Sierra and Aida Garifullina, along with mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard. This sold-out concert had {…}

Feb 8, 2019

Metropolitan Opera 2018-19 Review: La Fille Du Regiment

This review was written as a collaboration between David & Francisco Salazar for the performance on Feb. 7, 2019. Over the course of five months the Metropolitan Opera has shown everything from Verismo, French, Classical, Contemporary, Russian, Hungarian and German opera; there has also been a solid abundance of Verdi opera. What has sorely been missing are works that have {…}

Feb 8, 2019

Andrea Bocelli’s Met Opera Concerts To Feature Other Major Superstars

On Sunday, Andrea Bocelli will appear at the Metropolitan Opera and he will be flanked by a number of superstars currently singing on the Met stage. Among the artists to join the famed singer are Aida Garifullina, Isabel Leonard, Nadine Sierra, and Luca Pisaroni. Garifullina recently made her Met Opera debut in the role of Zerlina in “Don Giovanni.” She {…}

Feb 7, 2019

Javier Camarena Sings Encore, 18 High Cs In ‘La Fille Du Régiment’ First Act

Javier Camarena encored at the Metropolitan Opera on the opening night of “La Fille Du Régiment” on Feb. 7. After receiving a lengthy and enthusiastic ovation for his aria “A Mes Amis,” Camarena repeated the second half singing a total of 18 high Cs across both renditions. This is the third time Camarena does an encore at the Metropolitan Opera. {…}

Feb 4, 2019

Metropolitan Opera 2018-19 Preview: Javier Camarena & The Tenors To Hit 9 High C’s

On Feb. 7, 2019, the Metropolitan Opera will revive Donizetti’s “La Fille du Régiment” for the 110th time in its history. The title heroine is undeniably one of the biggest stories every time that the opera is revived. In this production’s case, the leading lady will be Pretty Yende in what will be her 50th Met performance on opening night. {…}

Feb 1, 2019

Top 5 Operas To See This Weekend – North America (2/1-3)

As February, gets underway, more and more opera companies are opening their doors. This week’s offerings feature numerous modern works, but also have their fair share of classic repertoire. Here is the list (in alphabetical order by company). Dead Man Walking – Atlanta Opera Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally’s famed opera will get a major showcase in Atlanta in a {…}

Jan 31, 2019

Metropolitan Opera 2018-19 Review: Don Giovanni

Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” returned to the Metropolitan Opera on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019 in Michael Grandage’s anonymous production. It’s a staging that unfortunately offers little to Mozart’s opera (unless you just want to see some fire at one point) and likely one that no one would miss if this opera were simply set on a black stage or given in {…}

Jan 29, 2019

Artist Profile: Bass-Baritone Justino Diaz, Puerto Rico’s Opera Star

Bass-baritone Justino Diaz is one of the most famous Puerto Rican opera stars of all time. Born in San Juan, he started to participate in his elementary school’s vocal activities at the age of eight. He would go on to University of Puerto Rico High School where he would continue his development as a singer; this continued at the University. {…}

Jan 28, 2019

Metropolitan Opera 2018-19 Review: Adriana Lecouvreur, Jennifer Rowley Edition

The Metropolitan Opera completed its run of “Adriana Lecouvreur” on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019. This opera had already been experienced and reviewed by OperaWire earlier in the run, but the high quality of this showcase was so great, that it felt worthwhile to check it out again, albeit with a major casting switch. Stronger Than Ever Those who had appeared {…}

Jan 28, 2019

PBS Great Performances Presents ’Marnie’ From The Met Opera

Nico Muhly and Nicholas Wright’s “Marnie” will get a broadcast as part of PBS’s Great Performance series this Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. The broadcast, the second to showcase a performance from the 2018-19 season, will kick off at 9 p.m. EDT and Isabel Leonard as the complex heroine who constantly shifts her identity in order to run from a painful {…}

Jan 28, 2019

Metropolitan Opera Live in HD Preview 2018-19: Clémentine Margaine & Roberto Alagna Star in ‘Carmen’

The Met Opera will continue its Live in HD series this Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, with a performance of Bizet’s ever-popular masterpiece “Carmen.” The broadcast, which kicks off 12:55 p.m. Eastern time, will showcase Clémentine Margaine in her first Live in HD performance for the company. The mezzo is the reigning Carmen interpreter of today, taking on over 15 productions {…}