“Bleakness” would be best used to describe the ambience of this by now well known Royal Opera House revival: David McVicar’s “Rigoletto”. Originally mounted in 2001, it was first publicized as an audacious, controversial exposé of sixteenth-century Mantuan aristocracy; the kind of risky spectacle of which Verdi – plagued chronically by problems with his censors – could have only dreamed. {…}
It’s that time of year. That time where we look just before we look forward. We look back to remember all the good times of the year so that we can take stock of what we hope for in the new one. Every year in the opera world has its share of rising and breakout stars as well as opera {…}
This Thursday, Dec. 14, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden kicks off its revival of Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” The production will get a total of nine performances, the final one taking place on Jan. 16, 2018. There will be cast variations throughout, though there will be a consistent crop of artists for most of the performances. Here is a look through {…}
The holiday spirit is upon us and with it, we’re going to see artists having a ton more fun than usual. They already are. Check it out. Tenor Yusif Eyvazov ruminated on some exciting upcoming rehearsals,… Today we start rehearsal in the magic stage… what a emotional moment.. 🙏😍❤️ Сегодня мы начали репетировать на сцене этого прекрасного театра… невозможно передать {…}
When you come right down to it – French Grand Opera – is very grand. A large canvas, huge sets, wide-ranging costumes, display of various kinds, sweeping music, on occasion, and musical textures that vary and offer range of interest – plus human beings, who, set into this panorama – resume their rightful size: ordinary. What? We control our own {…}
It was a tumultuous week on social media with Fake News influencing the interaction between opera stars and their fans. The Metropolitan Opera made sure to celebrate the birthday of iconic composer Giuseppe Verdi. 🎈🎉🎂Happy birthday, Giuseppe Verdi! The Italian composer, born on this day in 1813, is one of the most prolific and influential composers in the operatic canon. What’s {…}
The 2017-18 season continues with a number of starry productions coming to the forefront. Check out what you can see this weekend. Austria The Vienna State Opera presents “La Traviata” with Olga Peretyatko-Mariotti and “La Bohème” with Jinxu Xiahou, Hrachuhí Bassenz, Gabriel Bermúdez and Aida Garifullina. “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” and “Die Zauberflöte” headline the Volksoper, which also features a performance of “Gypsy.” {…}
Puccini’s ever-popular “La Bohème” will return to the great house this season with a plethora of differing casts over the course of its 15 performances. From its Oct. 2, 2017, season premiere to its March 10, 2018, season finale, the opera will feature a stunning three Mimis, two Musettas, four Rodolfos, four Schaunards, two Marcellos, two Collines and Paul Plishka. {…}
Superstar soprano Anna Netrebko was back at Fashion Week, this time in Vienna, where she posted an interview on Instagram. Yesterday at @aneliapeschev fashion show 👠👯👑🎉🍾Вчера на фэшн шоу…тусовки😂🍾✌️ A post shared by @anna_netrebko_yusi_tiago on Sep 13, 2017 at 6:41am PDT Soprano Pretty Yende promoted an upcoming performance. I look forward to yet another opportunity to perform Ms Lucy Ashton. {…}
Opera America has announced its 2017-18 Onstage at the Opera Center season and it will feature quite a number of exciting artists. Kicking off on Oct. 5, 2017, the season will feature three different series, including “Creators in Concert,” “Conversations,” and “Emerging Artist Recitals.” “Creators in Concert” will feature “Thumbprint” composer Kamala Sankaram on Oct. 19, 2017. Then on Feb. {…}
As is the case with a number of major opera houses around the world, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden is presenting Puccini’s “La Bohème.” And is often the case with all of these major companies, there are so many performances of this beloved opera, 25 in total spread across the fall and summer, that it can be tough to {…}
