(Credit: Bernd Uhlig) “Aida,” as we know, was supposed to be Giuseppe Verdi’s last opera. At least, he thought so. Along with his powerful “Requiem,” and all its operatic overtones, his very final work to come, the moving and gentle “Quattro Pezzi Sacri” – “Aida” was supposedly the prolific master’s operatic swan song. But, well, that is certainly not what {…}
On March 23, ORF III will broadcast the Wiener Staatsoper’s new production of Bellini’s “Norma.” The new production by Cyril marks the first time in 10 years that the work is presented at the Wiener Staatsoper and the first staged production in almost 45 years. Michele Mariotti conducts an all-star cast led by Federica Lombardi, who makes her role debut {…}
The Teatro La Fenice has announced that Michele Mariotti will conduct the annual New Year’s concert. The concert will be held on Dec. 28, 30, 31, 2025, and Jan. 1, 2026. Alfonso Caiani will lead the chorus. The Jan. 1 evening will be broadcast on Rai 1. Soloists will be announced at a later date. Mariotti is the Musical Director of {…}
(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 {…}
Michele Mariotti is set to conduct Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella” on Feb. 20, 2024. In a statement, Mariotti said, “Pergolesi’s ‘Stabat Mater’ and Stravinsky’s ‘Pulcinella’ are divided by almost two centuries of history, but show a very strong connection based precisely on Pergolesi’s music. The Stabat Mater is a masterpiece of classicism, an example of the crystalline purity {…}
Credit: Vincent Beaume When Pierre Audi, the director of Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, announced that Jonas Kaufmann and Ludovic Tézier would sing in a one-night-only concert version of “Otello,” tickets sold out in a minute. Even admittance for critics was scarce, and the festival gave seats out only when audience members turned in their tickets. Ill in London, Kaufmann canceled. This reviewer’s {…}
The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma is set to present Verdi’s Requiem with Michele Mariotti conducting. The performance is set to take place on Feb. 15, 2023, three days after the final performance of the company’s “Aida.” The work will star Elena Stikhina, Yulia Matochkina, Stefan Pop, and Giorgi Manoshvili. In a statement, Mariotti said, “To do the Requiem after Aida {…}
(Photo: Monika Ritttershaus) The initial impressions of the Aix-en-Provence festival’s production of Rossini’s “Moïse et Pharaon” did not bode well. Hearsay reports spoke of a modern day reinterpretation in which the focus was on refugees, and their life in the camps and the perils they face when crossing the Mediterranean. Productions which seek to politicize an opera, beyond that which {…}
(Credit: ©Rocco Casaluci) This week the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence opened its 2022 edition featuring an array of repertoire and exciting productions. The festival will bring some of the most recognizable names in the operatic world as well as some of the best conductors and directors. On July 7, the company will open its new production of “Moïse et Pharaon” with Michele {…}
The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma has named Michele Mariotti the company’s new music director. Mariotti will assume the new position in November 2022 with an initial four-year contract. He will also conduct three operas per season. Mariotti has performed in Roma in successful productions of “Idomeneo re di Creta di Mozart” in November, symphonic concerts, and “Luisa Miller.” In a {…}
The Teatro Regio di Parma has announced that it will open its 2021 season on Jan. 12, 2021. The concert at the renowned Italian house will be conducted by Michele Mariotti leading a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. The Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini and the chorus of the Teatro Regio di Parma will be joined by soloists Christiane Karg, Veta {…}
