Photo: Ruth Walz Whatever one thinks about the efficacy of the measures introduced to combat the COVID crisis, the political processes by which they were introduced should be a serious cause for concern. Governments throughout the West rushed through measures, often by-passing parliamentary discussion and oversight and ruled by decree. Criticism and dissent were stifled. The media, which should have {…}
Dutch National Opera is set to present the world premiere of “Animal Farm” as part of its Opera Forward Festival 2023. The work, which is based on George Orwell’s iconic book, features a libretto by Ian Burton and music by Alexander Raskatov. It will star Gennady Bezzenbenkov, Misha Kiria, Michael Gniffke, James Kryshak, Germán Olvera, Karl Laquit, Artyom Krutko, Helena {…}
The Dutch National Opera has announced its 2022-23 season with productions, four world premieres, two European premieres, six new productions, and four family operas. The season opens with a revival of Bizet’s “Carmen” with Jordan de Souza conducting a cast that includes J’Nai Bridges, Stanislas de Barbeyrac, Lukasz Golinski, and Adriana González. Performance Dates: Sept. 3 – 22, 2022 Engelbert {…}
(Credits: Dario Acosta / Opéra National de Paris official website / Fay Fox) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced that it will reopen its doors to the audiences in June 2021, after seven month-long hiatus. Per the official press release, the reopening is epidemiologically possible as the seven-day COVID-19 incidence in Berlin has gone below the critical value of 100. {…}
On April 18 the Ópera de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain will open a production of Rossini’s “La Cenerentola.” The production, which will be performed at Teatro Pérez Galdós, will star Victoria Yarovaya as Angelina and Xabier Anduaga as Don Ramiro. They will be joined by Misha Kiria as Don Magnifico, Fernando Campero as Dandini, Cristina del Barrio {…}
(Credits: Bayerische Staatsoper official website / Lourdes Balduque / Elena Cherkashyna / Victor Santi) The Ópera de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain has announced its schedule for the first half of 2021. The program will feature a total of five operas. Here is a look at the schedule. Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” will feature Murat Karahan, Saioa Hernández, Massimo {…}
Opera Rara has announced the release of Donizetti’s “Il Paria.” The new recording is set to be released on Jan. 15 by Warner Classics and marks the 26th complete opera by Donizetti for Opera Rara. Sir Mark Elder conducts the work with a cast that includes Albina Shagimuratova, René Barbera, and Misha Kiria. “Il Paria” was recorded in the studio {…}
The entire run of the Malmö Opera production of Verdi’s “Falstaff” will be streamed online. The production by Lotte de Beer is set to star Misha Kiria, Jacquelyn Wagner, Orhan Yildiz, Alexandra Flood, Sehoon Moon, Maria Streijffert, and Matilda Paulsson. Steven Sloane will conduct. Dde Beer, newly appointed artistic director at Volksoper Wien, is one of Europe’s most sought-after young {…}
(Credit: Melos Opera Facebook page) Italian baritone Lucio Gallo will take over the title role in the concert performance of Verdi’s “Falstaff” at the Deutsche Oper Berlin on Oct. 30 & 31, 2020, replacing Misha Kiria. Gallo will join a cast that includes Thomas Lehman in the role of Ford, Mingjie Lei as Fenton, Andrew Dickinson as Doctor Cajus, Gideon {…}
(Credits: Peter Knutson / Vicor Santiago / Andrey Uspensky) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced changes to its October 2020 schedule. The performances of Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” slated for October 2, 2020; “Così fan tutte” scheduled for October 20 & 25, 2020; Verdi’s “La Traviata” scheduled for Oct. 10, 2020; Bizet’s “Carmen” slated for Oct. 16, 21 & 24, 2020; {…}
The Palau de les Arts has announced a varied 2019-20 season featuring operas, zarzuelas, concerts, and recitals. Here is a look. Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” is set to be conducted by Christopher Moulds in a production by Emilio Sagi. The cast will be headed by Andrzej Filończyk, María José Moreno, Sabina Puértolas, Robert Gleadow, Cecilia Molinari, Susana Cordón, and Valeriano Lanchas. Performance {…}