Irene Dalis is one of those artists that has a strong career, but often flies under the radar during conversations about all-time greats. The mezzo-soprano, born on Oct. 8, 1925, grew up in California. After her studies, she earned a Fulbright scholarship and went to Europe to develop her singing career. Her career took off when she was offered a {…}
Puccini’s “La Fanciulla del West” is among the most underrated works in the entire operatic canon. Despite being one of, if not the absolute best, opera by the legendary composer, it doesn’t get nearly as many performances as some of his more iconic or popular works. One of the major reasons for this is that it is one of his {…}
Tenor Kristian Benedikt made his Metropolitan Opera debut during Monday night’s performance of “Samson et Dalila,” stepping in for an ailing Roberto Alagna in the third act of the opera. Benedikt was previously scheduled to make his debut in the title role of the Saint-Saëns opera during the run in the Spring, but it seemed inevitable that he would step {…}
The Met Opera will kick off its Live in HD series this Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, with a performance of Verdi’s “Aida.” The broadcast, which kicks off 12:55 p.m. Eastern time, will showcase star soprano Anna Netrebko in the title role; this is just the second production of the famed opera that she takes on. This is the first of {…}
The opera season is up and running. Don’t believe me? Well just take a look at the over one-dozen companies that are putting on productions this weekend. Here are our major picks for this busy weekend, which marries new works with classic repertoire (in alphabetical order by company). Maria de Buenos Aires – Arizona Opera Piazzolla’s opera has arguably never {…}
Verdi’s “Aida” is the quintessential opera in so many ways. It features a larger than life story in an exotic world alongside some of the greatest music ever written. In a house like the Met Opera, this work is also featured in an impressive and immersive set tailored to bringing us to some version of Ancient Egypt. This current production {…}
Andrea Bocelli has announced that he will return to the Metropolitan Opera. The tenor will return to the Met after a seven-year absence and will perform beloved operatic classics in a concert entitled “Three Centuries of Love.” The concert will feature love duets, arias and songs, and guest appearances by international artists accompanied by members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, under the direction of {…}
Over the last few weeks, the Metropolitan Opera has hit one home run after another with news of a more accessible schedule structure as well as support for newer operas in new locations over coming seasons. These major stories have emphasized a new era, so to speak, for the company, and the organization has even baptized that progress with a {…}
There will be 14 performances of Verdi’s “Aida” at the Metropolitan Opera during the 2018-19 season spanning from September through March. On the surface, 14 performances might not really be all that much, except when one considers that there will be what ultimately amounts to two very different casts with variations spread across three different periods of the season. So {…}
A week after announcing a future overhaul to its season, the Metropolitan Opera has made more announcements revealing the company’s continued change in direction. The latest news? The company is set to commission new operas that it will look to feature in spaces outside of Lincoln Center. Per the New York Times, for the first time in its history, the {…}
Puccini’s “La Bohème” comes back every season to the Met Opera. And because of its popularity, the opera often features a number of different casts, which can make it tricky for audiences to decide when to head to Lincoln Center for Puccini’s famed masterpiece. Here is a breakdown of the casts so you can be sure to catch this great {…}