On December 19, 2018, The Metropolitan Opera premiered this season’s run of Mozart’s musical drama “The Magic Flute.” This production by Julie Taymor is notable for its English translation, abridged running time, and opulent presentation; these features concentrated the drama and allegorical meaning which would unfold in the hands of the company’s cast of artists. Squaring the Circle Taymor’s production {…}
So this weekend’s preview will really account for two weekend’s worth as the final days of 2018 will only feature opera at a very small number of companies. The Pacific Opera Project (POP) will bring its run of Puccini’s “La Bohème” to an end on Dec. 21 and 22. Meanwhile, Amore Opera’s own season-opening production of “La Bohème” will come {…}
There was a ton of drama in Verdi’s “Otello” on Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. But it wasn’t necessarily always the kind you might be expecting. Tenor Stuart Skelton made his Metropolitan Opera role debut at the house after having to cancel the opening night performance due to illness. He remained ill, but that fact was not given to the audience {…}
It’s the holiday season and that means that the Metropolitan Opera is putting on Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” in its English iteration. This season’s revival will feature a number of veterans in this production, as well as some new faces. Erin Morley will headline as Pamina. She debuted at the Met in 2008 and has amassed 87 performances to date {…}
The singers, the director, and the conductor are usually the ones to get the major spotlight in the opera world. And yet, in many respects, they wouldn’t be doing anything if not for the people that bring the musical score (the single most important document when it comes to interpreting opera)to life. That task falls on the orchestra and among {…}
Every weekend that draws ever closer to Christmas leaves more and more opera companies in hibernation. But there are still some that have plans for you this holiday season. Otello – Metropolitan Opera Verdi’s greatest masterpiece gets its opening performance of the season with superstar soprano Sonya Yoncheva as Desdemona. She is joined by Zeljko Lucic and tenor Stuart Skelton {…}
Verdi’s “Otello” gets a revival at the Metropolitan Opera starting on Dec. 14, 2018. The production will not only feature the debut of famed conductor Gustavo Dudamel but will also see the return of Bartlett Sher’s production. The cast will be headlined by Stuart Skelton in what will be his fourth role at the Met Opera. He made his debut {…}
On Dec. 8, 2018 George Gagnidze will sing his 100th performance at the Metropolitan Opera as Michele in “Il Tabarro” in the centennial production of Puccini’s “Il Trittico.” The Georgian baritone has been a fixture at the Met since his house debut in the title role of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” in 2009. Since then he has returned to the Metropolitan Opera {…}
Talents of the World has announced its first International Music Festival, which will take place at Carnegie Hall over the course of three days. The company has described its mission as “the development of the intellectual and spiritual potential of Human beings, to restore and promote the disappearing traditions of bel canto, and to draw audience’s attention to the inexhaustible {…}
Remember when we said last week that this month would feature one particular opera rather heavily? Well, it’s that time of the year. And since it is the holiday season, we are going to give a few more companies the benefit of the doubt with works being presented more than once. Cendrillon – Lyric Opera of Chicago Massenet’s take on {…}
This has been a major week for the Metropolitan Opera. Not only did it launch a new podcast and open its new production of Verdi’s “La Traviata,” but it also kickstarted conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s tenure as its music director. In celebration of the maestro’s new beginning, the company is also releasing some highlights from the composer’s career to this point. {…}