Lise Davidsen, Ludovic Tézier, Sabine Devieilhe, Natalie Dessay, Stéphane Degout, Jarrett Ott, Siobhan Stage & Anastasia Bartoli Lead Grand Théâtre de Genève’s 2026-27 Season

The Grand Théâtre de Genève has announced its 2026-27 season. Opera Stéphane Degout, Catherine Trottmann, Julien Dran, Nicolas Cavallier, Edwin Crossley-Mercer, Léo Vermot-Desroches, Christian Immler, Glen Cunningham, Alex Rosen, François Rougier, Christophe Gay, Georgiy Derbas-Richter, and Joseph Chosson star in Frank Martin’s “The Tempest.” Thierry Fischer conducts the production by Netia Jones. Performance Dates: Sept. 16-26, 2026 Loïc Suberville, Jasmine Roy, {…}

Jul 19, 2025

‘Don Giovanni’ Is One of the Greatest Works Ever Written. Why Is It So Hard for Directors to Get Right?

(Photo: © Monika Rittershaus) “Don Giovanni” is an opera of seductions and escapes, moral wreckage and divine retribution, a shimmering mosaic of comedy, tragedy, farce, and existential dread. Yet “the mother of all operas” is also a uniquely treacherous work—at once alluring and intractable, irresistibly open yet elusive. Music’s sublimity rarely fails to connect with audiences, even in a less-than-stellar {…}

Dec 13, 2024

Michael Mofidian Joins OWL Artist for General Management

Michael Mofidian has joined OWL Artist Management for General Management. The bass-baritone is an up-and-coming artist of his generation, who has been recognized for his versatile repertoire and impressive stage presence. This season, Mofidian is set to appear in the title roles of “Il Turco in Italia” at Glyndebourne and “Le nozze di Figaro” with the Welsh National Opera. He {…}

Sep 12, 2024

Rossini Opera Festival 2024 Review: Ermione

(Photo: Amati Bacciardi) “Ermione” managed only seven performances when premiered at Naples’ San Carlo in 1816 before being shelved. It had to wait until 1987 to be revived, when it received its first modern staging at the Pesaro Rossini Opera Festival. Since then, it has had numerous performances, with each adding to its reputation as one of the composer’s most {…}

Feb 13, 2024

Royal Opera House 2023–24 Review: La bohème

(Photo: Camilla Greenwell/Royal Opera House) Trailing draggily behind Puccini’s rue and jubilance, this season’s Royal Opera House revival of the tearful “La bohème” appears afraid of the work’s earnestness. Decked out in semi-mockeries of 1830s Paris, Richard Jones’ 2017 production favors episodes of bawdiness at the expense of the Bohemian; endangering its players’ vocal liberties. Perhaps as the result of {…}

Feb 6, 2024

Welsh National Opera Announces 2024-25 Season

The Welsh National Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. Verdi’s “Rigoletto” is set to be conducted by Pietro Rizzo and directed by Adele Thomas. Leonardo Capalbo, Daniel Luis de Vicente, Soraya Mafi, and Natalia Kutateladze star. Performance Dates: Sept. 21, 2024-Feb. 22, 2025 Puccini’s “Il Trittico“ returns to the stage. “Il Tabarro” will star Aluda Todua, Natalya Romaniw, and Andrés {…}

Oct 3, 2023

Teatro Real 2023-24 Review: Medea (Cast B)

In the second cast of the Teatro Real de Madrid’s “Medea,” Saioa Hernandez proved a revelation. Her dramatic instrument with a bright dark timbre, her expansive vibrato, her thunderous high register, her sonorous low register in chest voice, and her fluid vocal line make her ideal for this role. Medea’s writing is mostly central, we could even say that it {…}

Dec 25, 2021

Grand Théâtre de Genève Announces ‘Les Pêcheurs de Perles’ Without Orchestra

(Credit: Werner Kmetitsch) The Grand Théâtre de Genève has announced that the performance of Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles” on Dec. 26 will go on without an orchestra in the pit. “For safety reasons related to COVID, the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande has determined that the risk of being present in the orchestra pit is too great, and has {…}

Jun 17, 2021

Valentina Nafornița, Gaëlle Arquez & Franco Fagioli Headline Opéra Royal de Versailles’ 2021-22 Season

(Credit: EPV / Christian Millet) Opéra Royal de Versailles has announced its 2021-22 season, featuring number of rarely performed operas and vocal works. Here is the full slate. Opera André Grétry’s opera “Richard Cœur de Lion” features Rémy Mathieu as Blondel and Pierre Derhet in the title role. The cast will be rounded out by Melody Louledjian, Marie Perbost Antonio, {…}

Dec 10, 2020

Anna Netrebko, Charles Castronovo, Elīna Garanča & Cecilia Bartoli Lead Salzburg Festival’s 2021 Season

(Credits: © Dario Acosta / Charles Castronovo official website / Deutsche Oper am Rhein official website / Kristian Schuller/Decca) The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2021 edition, featuring 8 operas and numerous concert performances. Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” will feature Mika Kares as Il Commendatore, Nadezhda Pavlova as Donna Anna, Michael Spyres in the role of Don Ottavio, Federica Lombardi as {…}

Mar 9, 2020

Royal Opera House 2019-20 Review: Susanna

(Credit: © ROH 2020 Stephen Cummiskey) The London Handel Festival has birthed several successful collaborations with the Royal Opera House, and this is the second year they’ve staged a work in the new Linbury Theatre. The oratorio “Susanna,” with a text attributed to “Solomon” author Moses Mendez, makes its return to Covent Garden, where it received its premiere, after 271-years {…}