Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Diana Damrau, Michael Volle, Ludovic Tézier, Pretty Yende, Rolando Villazón, Federica Lombardi, Nicole Car, Freddie De Tommaso & Juan Diego Flórez Headline Wiener Staatsoper’s 2025-26 Season

The Wiener Staatsoper has announced its 2025-26 season. Here is a look at the operas and recitals for the new season. Premieres Smetana’s “The Bartered Bride” will get a new production by Dirk Schmeding. The cast will be headed by Franz Xaver Schlecht, Margaret Plummer, Slávka Zámečníková, Ivo Stanchev, Monika Bohinec, Pavol Breslik, Michael Laurenz, Peter Kellner, Matthäus Schmidlechner, Ilia Staple, and Alex Ilvakhin. Tomáš Hanus conducts. A second cast will {…}

Apr 10, 2025

Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Diana Damrau, Elīna Garanča, Golda Schultz, Sonya Yoncheva, Cecilia Bartoli & Benjamin Bernheim Lead Opernhaus Zürich’s 2025-26 Season

The Opernhaus Zürich has announced its 2025-26 season. Here is a look at the productions and concerts. Premieres Simon Steen-Andersen and Liliana Nikiteanu lead “Wie du warst! Wie du bist!” Performance Dates: Sept. 20, 2025-July 11, 2026 Diana Damrau, Günther Groissböck, Angela Brower, Bo Skovhus, and Emily Pogorelc star in a new production Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier.” Joana Mallwitz conducts the {…}

Dec 3, 2024

Lisette Oropesa, Asmik Grigorian, Jonas Kaufmann, Diana Damrau, Cecilia Bartoli & Sabine Devieilhe Lead Salzburg Festival’s 2025 Season

The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2025 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Opera Bas Wiegers conducts Michael Jarrell’s “Kassandra” with actress Dagmar Manzel and the Ensemble Modern. Performance Date: July 23, 2025 Salvatore Sciarrino’s “Macbeth” will be conducted by Vimbayi Kaziboni. Cody Quattlebaum, Alice Rossi, Leonardo Cortellazzi, Iris van Wijnen, and Davide Giangregorio. Performance Date: July 25, {…}

Dec 1, 2024

Metropolitan Opera 2024-25 Review: Die Frau Ohne Schatten

For the first time in 11 years, the Metropolitan Opera has revived what I consider to be one of its greatest productions in my lifetime. Herbert Wernicke’s production of “Die Frau ohne Schatten” is simply one of the most sublime marriages of stage direction and opera in recent Met history. First off, it’s a challenging piece, not only musically, but {…}

Aug 7, 2024

Bayreuth Festival Announces Cast Change for ‘Der Fliegende Holländer’

The Bayreuth Festival has announced a cast change for “Der Fliegende Holländer” for the performance on August 8, 2024. The company said, “Due to an injury, Michael Volle will not be able to sing the title role in “Der Fliegende Holländer” on August 8th. We are very grateful to Tomasz Konieczny for taking over at short notice.” Konieczny is well-known {…}

Aug 6, 2024

Sara Jakubiak & Michael Volle Lead New CD/DVD Releases

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week audiences will get to hear two complete Salzburg productions and two world premiere recordings. Joy Too The Vertex Duo, composed of mezzo-soprano Kristin Gornstein and pianist Jeremy Chan release an album about grief. The result is “JOY, TOO,” a collection of {…}

Jun 8, 2024

Saioa Hernández, Anja Kampe, Pumeza Matshikiza Lead New CD/DVD Releases

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week there will be two choices of Ring Cycles and a debut album by one of the greatest opera singers in the world. Carlos Simon: Songs of Separation The National Symphony Orchestra led by Music Director Gianandrea Noseda releases “Songs of Separation,” {…}

May 27, 2024

Anna Netrebko, Lisette Oropesa, Asmik Grigorian, Nicholas Brownlee, Juan Diego Flórez & Joyce DiDonato Lead Palau de Les Arts’ 2024-25 Season

Palau de les Arts in Valencia has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera Gorges Ocloo’s “The Golden Stool” will star Nobulumko Mngxekeza-Nziramasanga and Nonkululeko Nkwinti. Performance Dates: Sept. 19, 2024 Lisette Oropesa sings the title role of Massenet’s “Manon” with Carles Pachon and Charles Castronovo. James Gaffigan conducts the production by Vincent Huguet. Performance Dates: Oct. 3-15, 2024 Elena Stikhina, Piero {…}

May 11, 2024

Lise Davidsen, Andrè Schuen, Fleur Barron & Michael Volle Lead Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-25 Season

The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Johann Sebastian Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” will be conducted by Sir Simon Rattle and star Mark Padmore, Camilla Tilling, Magdalena Kožená, Andrew Staples, Roderick Williams, and Georg Nigl. Performance Dates: Sept. 26 & 27, 2024 Sir Simon Rattle conducts music by De {…}

Apr 19, 2024

Czech Philharmonic Announces 2024-25 Season

The Czech Philharmonic has announced its 2024-25 season. Here are the vocal performances. Jakub Hrůša conducts Antonín Dvořák’s “Carnival Overture,” Josef Suk’s “Fantasy in G minor” for violin, and Leoš Janáček’s “Glagolitic Mass.” The concert will include soloists Julia Fischer, Corinne Winters, Bella Adamova, David Butt Philip, and Brindley Sherratt. Performance Date: Sept. 7, 2024 Semyon Bychkov conducts a Brahms {…}

Apr 18, 2024

Golda Schultz, Michael Volle & Rolando Villazón Lead New CD/DVD Releases

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week audiences will get to explore a new album by one of the most acclaimed Mozart sopranos of our time and a new Ring Cycle. There are some rarely performed composers being explored. La Serenissima Composer and vocalist Esbe will release her {…}