Let’s face it: operatic comedy is extremely hard to pull off. When was the last time you saw a comic opera production that was truly, authentically funny? Australian stage director Lindy Hume came about as close as one can to achieving this in Seattle in 2016 with her outlandish “Le Comte Ory” (retitled for marketing purposes as “The Wicked Adventures {…}
This week two new DVDs are set for release. There is also an intriguing choral CD that will include some world premiere recordings. Check it out! Il Barbiere di Siviglia Naxos is set to release a new production from the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris with Florian Sempey in the title role, Michele Angelini as the Count, Catherine Trottmann as Rosina, {…}
(Credit: Royal Swedish Opera / SF- © Silvia Lelli/Teatro Municipal de Santiago) This weekend is filled with a number of classic works from the baroque era and classical period. There is also a highly anticipated Ring Cycle and the return of a one of the most celebrated singers of our time. Here is a look at what we recommend for the {…}
This weekend has a variety of repertory staples as well as rarely performed works. There are also two highly anticipated concert performances that should not be missed. A Streetcar Named Desire – Teatro Colón, Argentina Andre Previn’s masterpiece gets its Argentina premiere in a new production by Rita Cosentino. The production stars Orla Boylan, David Adam Moore, Sarah Jane McMahon, Eric Fennell, and Victoria {…}
The Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm announced the company’s 2019-20 season which will include a German rarity, the company premiere of a Leonard Bernstein operetta and the return of a Wagner opera. As usual, the company invites an impressive group of conductors that will comprise Jean-Christophe Spinosi, Alan Gilbert, Constantin Trinks, John Fiore, and Domingo Hindoyan. Here is the lineup: {…}
The Seattle Opera is the first major opera company to announce its 2019-20 season, which will feature five operas and a special concert. Productions Verdi’s “Rigoletto” will open the season in August with a cast that features Lester Lynch and Giuseppe Altomare in the title role. Madison Leonard and Soraya Mafi take on Gilda while tenors Yongzhao Yu and Liparit {…}
This will be a weekend of new productions, closing nights, and role debuts. Two major stars return to signature roles while one rising star takes on her first Wagner role. Then there are two bel canto favorites and some verismo. Here is a look. Ernani – Opera de Marseille, France Francesco Meli takes on the title role in Verdi’s early work {…}
The Edinburgh Festival has announced its 2018 season with a number of opera productions scheduled to be performed. There are also a number of concerts, dance and theater performances, but for this announcement, we will focus on the operatic events. Productions The festival opens with a concert performance of Humperdinck’s “Hansel & Gretel” conducted by Sir Andrew Davis. The Royal Scottish {…}
The Staatsoper Unter den Linden Berlin has announced its 2018-19 Season, featuring numerous new productions and revivals featuring some of today’s most popular artists and conductors. Here is a look at what to expect next season. New Productions (in alphabetical order by title) Sonya Yoncheva headlines a new production of Cherubini’s “Medea” with Andrea Breth directing. Daniel Barenboim conducts the star-studded cast, {…}
It’s another weekend filled with some of the greatest stars and some popular titles. Austria The Vienna State Opera kicks off its weekend with “Don Giovanni” starring Adam Plachetka, Irina Lungu, Benjamin Bruns, Dorothea Röschmann and Robert Gleadow and will be followed by “The Gambler” with Dmitry Ulyanov, Elena Guseva, Misha Didyk, Linda Watson, Thomas Ebenstein, Elena Maximova, and Morten Frank Larsen. {…}
The festival season is coming to an end with many performances and productions on their last weekends. That said, the schedule around the world is still slated to feature a ton of major opera stars. Austria The Salzburg Festival is in full swing with Rolando Villazón and Cecilia Bartoli performing on Friday in “Ariodante” and Anna Netrebko and Francesco Meli {…}