This is the sixth of Hèctor Parra’s stageworks, but only the second by the Spanish composer to be issued commercially on disc. His earlier “Hypermusic Prologue“ from 2009 was a mind-numbingly complicated sonic experience—one of those conceptually overblown music-theater experiments that every “serious” European composer of the past decades has felt impelled to foist on audiences. But in the ten {…}
(Credit: Simon Van Rompay) La Monnaie Opera House in Brussels will stream Alban Berg’s opera “Lulu” until Jan. 24, 2022. The opera stars Natascha Petrinsky as Gräfin Geschwitz; Bo Skovhus in the roles of Dr. Schön & Jack The Ripper; Toby Spence as Alwa; Pavlo Hunka as Schigolch; and Barbara Hannigan in the title role. The cast also includes Lilly {…}
(Photo: Michele Monasta) The Greek gods are a colorful crowd, who enjoy nothing better than involving themselves in the world of Man. Woe betide anyone who is unfortunate enough to attract their attention, whether it be for good or ill; the gods act in their own interests, seeking pleasure and entertainment in all its forms wherever they can find them. {…}
(Photo Credits: In Art Management / © Jiyang Chen / Gillian Riesen / © Raphael Brand / LA Opera official website / © Jean-Baptiste Millot) La Monnaie De Munt has announced its new 2021-22 season, consisting of 12 operas and seven recitals. Here is the full slate. Operas Kris Defoort and Peter van Kraaij’s opera “The time of our singing” {…}
(Credits: © Bernd Uhlig / © Werner Kmetitsch) The Theater an der Wien has announced a series of broadcasts after high uncertainty over a date of possible reopening due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in Austria. First up is a production of Prokofiev’s “The Fiery Angel.” The opera showcases Aušrinė Stundytė, Bo Skovhus, Natascha Petrinsky, Elena Zaremba, Nikolai Schukoff, Alexey {…}
(Credit: Peter M. Mayr) Theater an der Wien has announced that it will shut down until Easter 2021. The news comes as the Wiener Staatsoper and Oper Graz have already extended closures due to the Austrian federal government’s COVID-19 restrictions. The opera house said in a statement that it was forced to extend the shutdown due to the prolonged closure {…}
(Credits: © WienTourismus / Christian Stemper / Landestheater Linz official website) The Volksoper Wien and Landestheater Linz have announced that they will remain closed until further notice. Both Austrian opera houses stated that they had no idea when performances could resume and that they will inform audiences in a timely manner when performances will be allowed. Meanwhile, the Theater an {…}
One brand new opera with three endings. A 20th-century work from a noted Czech composer. Two gala performances. A recital of new songs. A Shakespeare / Verdi / Ring Mashup. Beethoven. And three Italian operas with some of opera’s biggest stars for those looking for more standard repertory. That eclectic list comprises our top 10 operas to stream this week. {…}