Weekend Preview – International (6/24-26): Jonas Kaufmann, Olga Peretyatko, Nina Stemme & Piotr Beczala Headline The Weekend

The opera season continues in full swing as many of the top stars continue runs of important operas around the world. Austria The Vienna State Opera kicks off its weekend with Strauss’ “Elektra” starring Waltraud Meier, Nina Stemme, Regine Hangler, Herbert Lippert and Alan Held. It follows on Saturday with Debussy “Pelléas et Mélisande” with Franz-Josef Selig, Bernarda Fink, Adrian Eröd, Simon {…}

May 15, 2017

Best of Metropolitan Opera 2016-17 Season: Top 10 Female Performances of the Year

This article is a joint collaboration between David & Francisco Salazar. This past weekend saw the end of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2016-17 season. This week we will take a look back at the greatest moments that this season brought us, beginning with the top performers that we enjoyed. Since ladies should always go first, we start with the top 10 {…}

May 11, 2017

4 Unexpected Roles Nina Stemme Sang In Her Early Career

Everyone knows Nina Stemme for her dramatic skills, particularly for her Wagner repertoire. As a matter of fact, she is the leading Brünhilde and Isolde of our time and she is in demand all over the world. But in fact, Stemme did not begin with this repertoire and before her breakout Isolde with Plácido Domingo, this singer did a number {…}

Apr 21, 2017

Renée Fleming, Nina Stemme & Bryn Terfel Headline BBC Proms 2017

The BBC Proms has announced its summer schedule and as always there will be a lot of offerings for opera lovers. Here is a look at what audiences can look forward to. July The BBC Proms opens with John Adam’s choral masterwork “Harmonium” on Friday, July 14, 2017, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. This concert will include the {…}

Apr 12, 2017

Vienna State Opera 2016-17 Live Stream Preview: Nina Stemme, Gerald Finley Lead ‘Parsifal’

On Thursday, April 13, 2017, the Vienna State Opera is live streaming its current run of Wagner’s “Parsifal.” The Vienna State Opera’s current production of “Parsifal” has garnered strong reviews since it debuted a few weeks ago with Classical Source praising conductor Semyon Bychov for leading “a patient but never dragging interpretation. He and his musicians demonstrated great endurance and {…}

Apr 2, 2017

Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko And All The Major Stars in Bayerische Staatsoper’s 2017-18 Season

No opera house has more superstars on the roster next season than the Bayerische Staatsoper. Anna Netrebko and Jonas Kaufmann, arguably the two biggest stars in the opera world, will both appear in Munich in 2017-18, albeit in limited runs. Their appearances in America are limited to a total of eight shows between the two of them. In Munich, that {…}

Mar 29, 2017

Réne Pape Comes to Rescue in Vienna State Opera Production of ‘Parsifal’

Imagine a major singer suddenly cancel an opera that is just two days away from opening? Most opera houses have a cover ready to step in and in other cases, there are top singers that come in as quick replacements. But when do you go from a high-profile star to arguably the man most famous for the role you are {…}

Feb 15, 2017

Metropolitan Opera 2017-18 Season: The Singers We Will Miss Next Year

Every season brings new surprises, some of which may be of the disappointing variety. In disappointment, we mean singers that we love and treasure but are unable to see get the proper representation. Here is a look at the singers that were shockingly left off the roster this year. Diana Damrau: It may not have been the perfect 2016-17 season {…}

Feb 10, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (2/10- 2/12): Joyce DiDonato Headlines Rossini’s ‘Semiramide’ In A New Production

It’s Feburary so all companies are in full swing. This weekend Verdi and Strauss highlight major houses and Joyce DiDonato returns to the stage with a new role. Here is a look! Austria Audiences are in for a triple Verdi weekend at the Wiener Staatsoper starting with “Otello” starring Kristian Benedikt, Carlos Álvarez and Olga Bezsmertna. It will be followed {…}

Jan 30, 2017

‘Turandot’ DVD Review: Berio’s Ending in La Scala Release Brings Out The Best in Nina Stemme, Aleksandrs Antonenko & Maria Agresta

The ending of Puccini’s “Turandot” is one of opera’s great tragedies. The composer, at the peak of his power, had composed his most musically daring work to date with some of his most phenomenal strokes of dramatic genius alongside some of his most riveting and enduring melodies. And yet, when he was ever so close to completing it, he hit {…}

Jan 23, 2017

CD/DVD Releases -Week of Jan. 23: Riccardo Chailly’s Puccini Series is Unveiled

This week two new DVDs will be released featuring some of the greatest singers in the world. Puccini’s “Turandot” The first of Riccardo Chailly’s Puccini series will be released this week from Decca Classics. The DVD, which was recorded in 2015 features an all star cast that includes Nina Stemme, Maria Agresta and Aleksandrs Antonenko. The new DVD has the {…}