Everyone’s busy and sometimes figuring out what opera you should go see can be quite a challenging decision to make. There is always so much to see in so many places, but unfortunately never enough time. While every opera house undeniably packs their schedule with “Must See” productions, there are some that simply generate more excitement for different reasons. No {…}
The Houston Grand Opera announced its 2017-18 season Thursday with opening night featuring Verdi’s “La Traviata.” In sum, there will be seven operas overall between October 20, 2017 and May 11, including one World Premiere. The 2017 Operas “La Traviata” opens the season for seven performances with Albina Shagimuratova. This will be the soprano’s fourth run of the work in {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has confirmed that David McVicar will direct two new productions for the 2017-18 season. In the January Playbill’s welcome letter, Gelb noted that McVicar would be directing a new production of Bellini’s “Norma” and Puccini’s “Tosca.” The two productions will mark the director’s seventh and eighth productions at the Metropolitan Opera. As noted last year in a {…}
On Jan. 4 Grace Bumbry will celebrate her 80th birthday. The mezzo soprano is recognized as one of the pioneers in the world of classical music who paved the way for future African-American opera and classical singers. The mezzo had the distinction of having a powerful and big voice that sang with commitment and intensity. She was also recognized for her agility and bel canto {…}
December 26 marks the premiere of three major operas of the Bel canto repertoire. Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena” premiered the day after Christmas in 1830 while his “Lucrezia Borgia” premiered in 1833 of that same date. Meanwhile, Bellini’s “Norma” premiered on the 26th of December in 1831. All three works share similarities in that they are some of the most difficult works {…}
It’s not easy to become an overnight success in the opera world, much less a superstar. However, Sonya Yoncheva is already being called the successor to the great divas of both the past and present. Over the past year Yoncheva has expanded her repertoire immensely and this week she adds the role of Tatiana in Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” at {…}