Jonas Kaufmann, Andreas Schager, Ricarda Merbeth, Eva-Maria Westbroek, Iain Paterson Lead Opéra de Paris 2020 Ring Cycle Concert Performances

(Credits: Gregor Hohenberg/Sony Classical /© David Jerusalem / © DR / Fazil Berisha / http://arsis-artists.com/en/iain-paterson/) L’Opéra de Paris has announced full casts and dates for the concert performances of Wagner “Der Ring des Nibelungen.” The Ring cycle was initially planned as a series of four fully staged operas but had to be reorganized into concert performances due to the ongoing {…}

Feb 21, 2020

Opéra National de Paris Announces Ring Cycle Cast Changes

The Opéra National de Paris has announced several cast changes for its upcoming production of The Ring Cycle. The company announced that Natalia Skrycka will replace Christina Bock as Waltraute in “Die Walküre” while Michaela Schuster replaces Sarah Connolly as Waltraute and the second Norn in “Götterdämmerung.” Finally, Martina Serafin will replace Ricarda Merbeth on Nov. 28 as Brünnhilde in {…}

Oct 12, 2019

Staatsoper Berlin 2019-20 Review: Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor

(Credit: Monika Ritterhaus) “Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor,” like the vast majority of Singspiele, is not well-known outside the German-speaking world. Even in its native Germany, it’s mounted infrequently. Its story, however, is almost universally known. Like Verdi’s “Falstaff,” it’s closely based on Shakespeare’s “Merry Wives of Windsor.” A few details are Germanized: Alice Ford becomes Frau Fluth, and her {…}

Jul 5, 2019

Ermonela Jaho & Marlis Petersen Lead Top 5 Operas To See This Weekend Internationally (7/5-7)

(Credit: Javier del Real/Teatro Real, Bayerische Staatsoper, Prudence Upton/Opera Australia) This weekend will showcase numerous leading divas and a number of new productions that will entice opera lovers. Here is a look. Anna Bolena – Opera Australia, Australia Ermonela Jaho takes on the title role in Donizetti’s demanding opera. She is joined by Leonardo Cortellazzi, Carmen Topciu, and Teddy Tahu Rhodes and conductor Renato {…}

Apr 28, 2019

Metropolitan Opera 2018-19 Review: Götterdämmerung

The Metropolitan Opera’s first Ring Cycle of the 2018-19 season came to a glorious end with “Götterdämmerung” in a production featuring a tremendous cast. In some ways, this might have been the most satisfying evening of the entire cycle, with a luxurious cast of true singing actors against a production that, at times, had something to say. A Hero Above {…}

Apr 24, 2019

Michaela Schuster Replaces Jamie Barton In ‘Die Walküre’

Jamie Barton has canceled Thursday’s performance of Wagner’s “Die Walküre.” The Metropolitan Opera announced via social media that the role of Fricka will be sung by Michaela Schuster, replacing Jamie Barton on April 25. Schuster made her role debut at the Met in 2018 in the role of Klytämnestra in “Elektra.” OperaWire notes during her debut, she” impressed mightily in her belated {…}

Apr 5, 2019

Piotr Beczala, Vivica Genaux & Marlis Petersen Headline Theater An Der Wien

The Theater an der Wien has announced its 2019-20 season featuring numerous rarely performed works, concert operas and a number of new productions. Opera Productions David Afkham conducts Amélie Niermeyer’s new production of Dvorak’s “Rusalka.” Maria Bengtsson sings the title role alongside Ladislav Elgr, Günther Groissböck, Natascha Petrinsky, and Kate Aldrich. Performance Dates: Sept. 19 – 30, 2019 Stefan Gottfried conducts Sam Brown’s production of Mozart’s {…}

Sep 14, 2018

Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – International (9/14-16)

Do you like your Verdi? Or how about your Strauss? Maybe you are more interested in modern works that are rarely heard or performed. Well this weekend has that and much more. So buckle in and behold our choices for the top five operas we are pumped to see this weekend. Die Frau Ohne Schatten – Berlin State Opera, Germany {…}

Aug 10, 2018

Michaela Schuster Replaces Sarah Connolly In Met Opera Ring

Sarah Connolly has canceled her participation in the Metropolitan Opera’s upcoming Ring Cycle. The company announced that Connolly would not sing the role of Waltraute in “Gotterdammerung.” As a result, Michaela Schuster will replace her in all performances of the run. Schuster made her Met debut last season as Klytämnestra in Strauss’ “Elektra” garnering rave reviews. OperaWire noted, “As Klytämnestra, Michaela Schuster {…}

Mar 18, 2018

Jonas Kaufmann, Anja Kampe & Anja Harteros Headline Bayerische Staatsoper’s 2018-19 Season

The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2018-19 season, which is set to include eight new productions and a number of revival productions. The season will also include a number of concert performances as well as recitals in the company’s summer festival. Here is a look at all the operatic events. New Productions Amélie Niermeyer directs a new production of Verdi’s {…}

Mar 2, 2018

Metropolitan Opera 2017-18 Review – Elektra: Yannick Nézet-Séguin Steals The Show In Strauss’ Most Violent Work

Richard Strauss’ “Elektra” returned to the Metropolitan Opera on Thursday, March 1, 2018, in a hotly anticipated revival of Patrice Chéreau’s production. Last time out, the production was a smash hit, its stripped-down sets allowing for the audience to focus on the violent drama put before us. It continues to work in that vein, though its overall stillness might not {…}

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