Johan Reuter, Susan Bullock, Natalya Romaniw, Elisabet Strid, Ricarda Merbeth & Russell Thomas Lead Finnish National Opera’s 2025-26 Season

The Finnish National Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. Premieres Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” will get a new production by Richard Jones and will be presented for the first time since 1996. The new Finnish translation by Mikko Koivusalo will star Tommi Hakala, Samuli Takkula, Tuija Knihtilä, Maiju Vaahtoluoto, Elli Vallinoja, Polina Liiv, Suvi Väyrynen, Emma Mustaniemi, Dan Karlström, and Roland Liiv. Antony Hermus conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. {…}

Mar 25, 2025

The Atlanta Opera 2024-25 Review: Macbeth

(Photo: Raftermen Photography) The Atlanta Opera (TAO) thrives and even expands while many classical music organizations contract. Their spring mainstage offerings began this month with Verdi’s “Macbeth. ” But not before the announcement of their 2025-26 season, including what few companies can afford to do—“Götterdämmerung,” completing an entire “Ring” cycle. Their season also includes Philip Glass’ “La Belle et la {…}

Jan 23, 2025

Michael Mayes Headlines Atlanta Opera’s ‘Macbeth’

The Atlanta Opera is set to present Verdi’s “Macbeth.” The opera is set to be presented at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre from March 1 to March 9, 2025, and will star Michael Mayes in the title role and Sara Gartland as Lady Macbeth. The production will also star Morris Robinson as Banquo and Won Whi Choi appears as {…}

May 2, 2024

Frederick Ballentine, Michael Mayes & Hiromi Omura Lead Utah Opera’s 2024-25 Season

The Utah Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. The season will open with Sondheim and Wheeler’s “Sweeney Todd.” Robert Tweten leads a cast that includes Michael Mayes as the demon barber himself, Audrey Babcock, Amy Owens, Megan Marino, and Christian Sanders. Doug Scholz-Carlson directs. Performance Dates: Oct. 12-20, 2024 Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” will be conducted by Stephanie Rhodes Russell {…}

Jan 19, 2024

Stefan Vinke, Barry Banks, Michael Mayes & Meigui Zhang Lead Atlanta Opera’s 2024-25 Season

The Atlanta Opera has announced its 2024-25 Season. Here is a look at the diverse productions that will be performed. Discoveries Series: The Atlanta Opera immersive “Bohème Project” Following the present season’s traditional production of Puccini’s “La bohème,” in September the Atlanta Opera Discoveries series continues the “Bohème Project” with two immersive productions at Pullman Yards. Produced by Tomer Zvulun {…}

Oct 26, 2023

Houston Grand Opera 2023-24 Review: Intelligence

Photo: Michael Bishop Houston Grand Opera’s season premiere, “Intelligence,” is not just another opera to take in – it’s an experience to be absorbed. It masterfully fulfills art’s big-picture role: sparking dialogues and bridging emotional divides, even when the discussions are challenging and the ties seem broken. This riveting work is realized through the collective genius of composer Jake Heggie, {…}

Aug 22, 2023

Top 10 Operas to See During Fall 2023

It’s that time of the year again! The 2023-24 season is about to begin and audiences are getting ready to choose performances as they head back to the opera. With so much to choose from, OperaWire is breaking down 10 opera productions that are must-sees for all opera lovers from around the world. Aida – Berlin State Opera – Opens {…}

Aug 17, 2023

Seattle Opera 2023-24 Review: Das Rheingold

(Photo credit: Seattle Opera © Philip Newton) Why build an elaborate faux-underwater set for the Rhine scenes in Wagner’s “Ring” when you have an orchestra pit that can make a perfectly plausible stage river? It’s an idea so obvious, you think surely, it must have been tried already. This is the solution found by Brian Staufenbiel, tasked with staging “Das {…}

Jun 24, 2023

Atalla Ayan, Iréne Theorin & Michael Mayes Lead Staatsoper Stuttgart’s 2023-24 Season

The Staatsoper Stuttgart has announced its 2023-24 season. Premieres The first new production of the season will be Strauss’ “Die frau ohne Schatten” with Benjamin Bruns, Simone Schneider, Evelyn Herlitzius, Martin Gantner, and Iréne Theorin. Cornelius Meister conducts the production by David Hermann. Performance Dates: Oct. 29-Dec. 2, 2023 “La Fest,” featuring music by Vivaldi and Händel, will star Claudia {…}

May 27, 2023

Staatsoper Stuttgart to Present Anna-Sophie Mahler’s ‘Pilgrimage with Messiaen’s Saint Francis’

Photo credit: Matthias Baus Anna-Sophie Mahler’s new production of Olivier Messiaen’s “Saint François d’Assise” will make its premiere at the Staatsoper Stuttgart on June 11. The piece will be presented in an unconventional manner. The audience will be led on a journey from the opera house to the Killesberg open-air stage and back. The nearly four-hour opera becomes an “eight-hour {…}

Feb 2, 2023

The Dallas Opera to Perform ‘Das Rheingold’ with Nicholas Brownlee

The Dallas Opera is set to premiere a new production of Wagner’s epic tale “Das Rheingold.” The opera returns to the company after a 20-year absence with Emmanuel Villaume conducting. Tomer Zvulun, General and Artistic Director of The Atlanta Opera, directs a cast led by Nicholas Brownlee as Wotan, Michael Mayes as Alberich, Amanda Echalaz as Fricka (TDO debut), Brenton {…}

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