Of Rossini’s opera’s “Semiramide,” his final Italian work, is often considered one of his finest. You probably would not draw that conclusion from the performance at the Metropolitan Opera on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. The opera, which tells the tale of the “battle” for the throne of Babylon in the wake of its fallen monarch Nino, is a rather long {…}
Puccini’s “La Bohème” made a return to the Metropolitan Opera on Friday, February 16, 2018, with a cast that is slated for an HD performance a week from today. On the evidence of this opening night performance, that transmission the world over should be quite special. Zeffirelli’s production needs no introduction (though if you want some commentary, check out these {…}
Rossini’s “Semiramide” is arguably one of the finest operas that the composer created. Being his final Italian work, Rossini had attained a depth of craft that represented the culmination of years and years of steady work. Unfortunately, “Semiramide” is also monstrously difficult to mount and when it opens at the Metropolitan Opera on Feb. 19, 2018, the performance count for {…}
With more and more companies opening up new productions and performances, this week’s selections feature mainly classic repertory works from a wide range of unique companies. Here are the operas we want you to see this weekend! Carmen – Sarasota Opera Lisa Chavez stars as the famed gypsy with Cody Austin as Don José and Hanna Brammer as Micaëla. Steven {…}
Every year the Metropolitan Opera throws in some surprises whether in repertoire or in casting choices. Sometimes those casting choices are curveballs that include important returns to the stage. This season, OperaWire pointed out six major artists that have not performed on the Met stage in years and will be pleasant surprises to hear and see in 2018-19. Denyce Graves {…}
Every season the Metropolitan Opera has some of the greatest stars in the world. Some return for the first time in years while others are Met veterans. But there are also debuts that are unexpected or important for the house. The 2018-19 season will undoubtedly bring six debuts that all opera goers need to see. Nicole Car -“La Boheme” The {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2018-19 season. Here is a rundown. New Productions The Metropolitan Opera opens with Saint-Saëns’ “Samson et Dalila” in a new production by Darko Tresnjak. Roberto Alagna and Elina Garanca reunite for the production which is also set to star Laurent Naouri, Elchin Azizov, and Dmitry Belosselskiy. Anita Rachevlishvili and Aleksandrs Antonenko will sing a {…}
Every year, Metropolitan Opera audiences get pumped for a few things. But not many carry as much excitement as the Live in HD series. Every year the Met chooses a handful (or two) performances to showcase around the globe on the silver screen. Those are usually high profile presentations of new productions with opera’s greatest stars. And as you might {…}
On Thursday, the Metropolitan Opera announced that Yannick Nézet-Séguin will move into the position of Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer Music Director two seasons earlier than originally expected. He will assume the position in September and will be conducting three operas for the next two seasons before moving up to five per year in 2020-21. The three works he will lead in 2018-19 will {…}
On Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, the Met Opera revives Puccini’s “La Bohème” with a star-studded cast. Every single one of the major artists to take on the opera is a veteran in the part at the Met. So here is a look at their Met trajectory in their respective roles to date. Sonya Yoncheva – Mimì The Bulgarian soprano’s second-ever {…}
At the start of Rossini’s “Semiramide,” Arsace returns to Babylon after a long time away. For years, Elizabeth DeShong has been a fixture at the Metropolitan Opera singing in such operas as “La Rondine,” “Aida,” “The Enchanted Island,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Madama Butterfly,” and “Lulu.” Then after the 2015-16 season, she did not return until now to take on {…}