Michael Fabiano, Lea Desandre, Jessica Pratt, Rachel Willis-Sørensen & Matthias Goerne Lead Opéra National du Capitole de Toulouse’s 2025-26 Season

The Opéra National du Capitole de Toulouse has announced its 2025-26 season. Opera Hervé Niquet conducts a production of Massenet’s “Thaïs” with Stefano Poda directing. Rachel Willis-Sørensen, Tassis Christoyannis, and Jean-François Borras star. Performance Dates: Sept. 26-Oct. 5, 2025 Thomas Dunford conducts Handel’s “Theodora” in concert with Lea Desandre, Véronique Gens, Hugh Cutting, Laurence Kilsby, and Alex Rosen. Performance Date: {…}

Mar 10, 2025

Q & A: Michael Fabiano on Being Self-Driven & His Responsibility as an Artist to Serve His Craft

(Photo: Diego Bendezu) Acclaimed American tenor Michael Fabiano, of Italian descent, has performed in leading opera houses throughout the world, including extensively at the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Teatro Real of Madrid, Berlin Staatsoper, Teatro Liceu, Vienna Staatsoper, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Royal Opera House in London, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Teatro San Carlo in Naples, and Paris {…}

Mar 5, 2025

Royal Ballet and Opera 2025 Review: Il Trovatore  

(Photo: ©2025 Camilla Greenwell) I have been somewhat critical in the past of Adele Thomas’ staging of one of Verdi’s most potent works. With its painfully dark tale told in a rather insidious manner, employing the use of creepy props and actors infused with more than a generous helping of Hieronymus Bosch influence; alas, perplexingly, this time round it kind {…}

Feb 3, 2025

Aleksandra Kurzak, Anna Netrebko, Nino Machaidze, Roberto Alagna & Anna Pirozzi Lead Festival Puccini’s 2025 Season

The Festival Puccini has announced its 2025 season featuring five of the composer’s most famous works. “Tosca” will open the festival with a star-studded cast. Aleksandra Kurzak, Carmen Giannattasio, Eleonora Buratto, and Valentina Boi will alternate the title role alongside Roberto Alagna, Michael Fabiano, Francesco Meli, Luca Salsi, Mikolaj Zalasinski, and Ivan Inverardi. Giorgio Croci conducts Alfonso Signorini’s production. Performance {…}

Dec 17, 2024

London Symphony Orchestra 2024-25 Review: La Rondine

(Photo: Mark Allan) Puccini called his work “La Rondine” a “commedia lirica,” effectively COMIC opera, but I consider it a TRAGEDY that this work isn’t performed more in the opera house. “La Rondine” comprises some of the most exquisite, emotive music the maestro ever penned. Alas, devoid of the dramatic impact and impetus of his more famous, regularly performed works, {…}

Nov 26, 2024

Michael Fabiano Withdraws from Nov. 26 Performance of ‘Il Trovatore’ at the Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for the Nov. 26. Michael Fabiano took to social media and said that he would be withdrawing. He said, “Friends. I’m withdrawing again tonight. I really got hit last week. I’m still recovering and doing better but not in a place to deliver an optimal performance tonight. Appreciate your patience. I’ll be {…}

Oct 30, 2024

Metropolitan Opera 2024-25 Review: Il Trovatore

(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) You’ve heard the cliché that Caruso famously said about doing a production of “Il Trovatore…” You know it. I won’t repeat it. The spirit of the idea stands, but the reality is that it takes far more than just sticking four superstars on stage and letting magic happen. It doesn’t always work that way. {…}

Oct 25, 2024

Michael Fabiano & Rachel Willis-Sørensen Lead Metropolitan Opera’s ‘Il Trovatore’

(Credit: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to revive Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” with Michael Fabiano singing the lead role of Manrico. The American tenor will make his role debut in Sir David McVicar’s acclaimed Goya-inspired production. Manrico will also be performed by Gwyn Hughes Jones in the final two performances, reprising the last role he sang at the {…}

Aug 28, 2024

Michael Fabiano Lead San Francisco Opera’s ‘Un Ballo in Maschera’

The San Francisco Opera is set to open its 102nd season on Sept. 6 with Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera” and Opera Ball, the opening night benefit co-hosted with the San Francisco Opera Guild. Caroline H. Hume Music Director Eun Sun Kim leads the production by Italian director Leo Muscato. The international cast will led by Michael Fabiano as Gustavus {…}

Aug 26, 2024

ArtSmart Receives NBCUniversal Local Impact Grant

ArtSmart has received a local impact grant from NBC10, Telemundo62, and Comcast NBCUniversal totaling $34,315.72. ArtSmart provides tuition-free music lessons and mentorship by paid, professional artists to youth in under-resourced communities across the U.S.. The music mentorship framework is designed to “provide youth a pathway to academic, economic, and emotional stability by harnessing the proven cognitive and social-emotional benefits of {…}

Aug 19, 2024

ArtSmart to Present ‘A Summer Night’ Featuring Michael Fabiano & Friends

ArtSmart is set to present “A Summer Night” featuring tenor Michael Fabiano and friends. The showcase, set for August 21, 2024 from 6 – 9:30 p.m. at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Barbro Osher Recital Hall, will be hosted by Kelly Clarke and Lilian Tsai. Per a press release, the concert will feature a surprise guest. The event will {…}