Q & A: Lawrence Brownlee & Michael Spyres on Rossini, New ‘Amici e Rivali’ Album, Theatre Closures, and the Road Ahead

On Nov. 13, 2020, renowned tenors Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres are set to release their new album “Amici e Rivali” on Erato. The selections draw from seven of Rossini’s operas, with an approach that not only celebrates his music but pays homage to the artists of the composer’s time who interpreted these works, such as Andrea Nozzi, Giovanni David, {…}

Siobhan Stagg, Michael Spyres & Julie Fuchs Lead Opéra Comique 2021 Season

(Credits: Todd Rosenberg / © Marco Borrelli / OnP / Sarah Bousasse) L’Opéra Comique in Paris has announced its 2021 season. Here is the full slate. Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville’s “Titon et l’Aurore” will feature Reinoud Van Mechelen, Gwendoline Blondeel, Julie Roset, Emmanuelle de Negri, Marc Mauillon, and Renato Dolcini. William Christie will conduct the production by Basil Twist. The performances {…}

Juan Diego Flórez, Lawrence Brownlee, Lisette Oropesa, Martina Arroyo, J’Nai Bridges Headline Top 10 Operas to Stream This Week

With opera companies returning in full force digitally, this week’s selections will highlight a mix of repertory staples with some unique and experimental new works. Before we kick off our list, don’t forget to check out important discussions taking place regarding issues of race and equality in opera with such programs as Karen Slack’s “KikiKonversations,” Kenneth Overton’s “Black Opera Live,” and Mark {…}

Lawrence Brownlee & Michael Spyres Join Forces for ‘Amici e Rivali’

Famed tenors Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres are joining forces for a brand-new album “Amici e Rivali.” The album, which will be released on Nov. 13, 2020, will feature arias, duets, and trios from seven Rossini operas including “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” “Otello,” “Armida,” “La Donna del Lago,” “Elisabetta, Regina d’Inghilterra,” “Le Siège de Corinthe,” and “Ricciardo e Zoraide.” “Our {…}

Saioa Hernández, Sonya Yoncheva, Anna Netrebko, Ailyn Pérez & Plácido Domingo Lead Maggio Musicale Fiorentino’s 2020-21 Season

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced its 2020-21 season featuring concerts, opera productions, and a star-studded summer festival. For this article, we will only focus on the Italian theater’s operatic and vocal concerts. Season  Federico Maria Sardelli conducts a new production of Handel’s “Rinaldo” with Pierluigi Pizzi directing. The cast includes Raffaele Pe in the title role, Leonardo Cortellazzi, Carmela {…}

Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Sondra Radvanovsky, Michael Fabiano, Lead Teatro Real’s 2020-21 Season

The Teatro Real de Madrid has announced the 2020-21 season featuring premieres, new productions and some of the greatest stars in the world. Opera  Nicola Luisotti and Lorenzo Passerini conduct a production of Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera“ directed by Gianmaria Aliverta. The production stars Michael Fabiano and Ramón Vargas as Riccardo, Anna Pirozzi and Tatiana Serjan as Amelia, Artur {…}

Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko, Sonya Yoncheva, Joyce DiDonato Headline Les Grandes Voix’s Star-Studded 2020-21 Season

Les Grandes Voix has announced its 2020-21 season, which is one of the most superstar-laden programs of the year.  Soprano Sabine Devielhe and pianist Alexandre Tharaud kick off the season in a program of music by Fauré, Debussy, Poulenc, and Ravel. Performance Dates: Sept. 13 (Wigmore Hall); Sep 19 (Victoria Hall, Geneva); Sept. 30 (Berlin Philharmonie); Nov. 23 (Bordeaux Auditorium)  {…}

Elīna Garanča, Ekaterina Semenchuk & Olga Peretyatko Highlight Berlin Philharmonic’s 2020-21 Season

Credit: Alexey Kostromin/Dario Acosta/Paul Schirnhofer-DG The Berlin Philharmonic has announced its 2020-21 season featuring a number of tours, vocal performances and world famous stars. For the purposes of this article we will only concentrate on vocal performances. The season opens with Musikfest, which was announced previously. Click here for more details. Philharmonie  Daniel Harding conducts countertenor Andrew Watts in music {…}