(Photo: Eva Werner) In 1753, Niccolò Jommelli moved to Stuttgart under Duke Karl Eugen. Collaborating with court poet Mattia Verazi, Jommelli modified Pietro Metastasio’s famous libretto to pioneer bold dramatic reforms. Utilizing the city’s elite singers and virtuosic orchestra, this creative hub culminated in the February 1763 Stuttgart premiere of Jommelli’s third version of “Didone abbandonata.” It is clear that {…}
(Photo: studio visuell) At 80-years-old, René Jacobs shows no signs of relinquishing his throne as the high priest of Baroque opera—a profound blessing for early music devotees. Following his acclaimed 2022 staged production with the Berlin Staatsoper Unter den Linden and Akamus, Jacobs has returned to “Il Giustino” (1724) for a European concert tour, this time partnering with the Freiburger {…}
The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal has announced its 2026-27 season. Rafael Payare conducts Miah Persson, Rose Naggar-Tremblay, Clay Hilley, and Matthias Goerne in Gustav Mahler’s “Des Knaben Wunderhorn (extraits)” and “Das klagende Lied” (version mixte). Performance Dates: Sept. 16 & 17, 2026 Asher Fish leads the Chœur and orchestra de l’OSM in Hana Ajiashvili’s “Riddle,” Adrian Mocanu’s “de l’encra escafada”(“from faded ink”), Dalit Hadass Warshaw’s “Letter {…}
The Oxford International Song Festival has announced its line up for 2025. This article only features classical vocal concerts. Baritone Benjamin Appl and pianist Sholto Kynoch open the festival with a concert highlighting the works of Franz Schubert. Performance Date: October 10, 2025 Baritone Benjamin Appl and pianist Sholto Kynoch perform a small selection of songs in “Song Sofa.” This {…}
(Photo Credit: Claudia Hoehne) René Jacobs’ concert performance of Mozart’s “Idomeneo” at the Elbphilharmonie provided a resplendent conclusion to Hamburg’s Amadeus Festival, bringing the celebration of Mozart’s genius to a fittingly grand finale. This semi-staged version was a testament to how a concert performance can achieve full theatricality. Compared to his 2009 recording, Jacobs presented a fresh and immediate interpretation, {…}
The second annual Haydneum Festival at Esterhaza Castle in Fertöd has released the details of its 2024 program. This article only features vocal works. Ella Smith, Marianne Beate Kielland, Márton Komáromi, and Szilveszter Szélpál star in a concert performance of Haydn’s “L’isola disabitata.” György Vashegyi conducts the Orfeo Orchestra on period instruments. Performance Date: August 30, 2024 Olivia Vermeulen performs {…}
The Auditori in Barcelona has announced its 2022-23 season. Here are vocal highlights for the season. Audrey and Ludovic Morlot join forces for Mahler’s Fourth Symphony. Performance Date: Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2022 Sarah Connolly and Ludovic Morlot perform a program of music by Mahler, Dvorak and Rio-Pareja, and Rachmaninoff. Performance Dates: Oct. 15 & 16, 2022 Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano {…}
(Photo: Ralf Münch) The recently restored Stadtkirche was chosen as the venue for the festival’s performance of Handel’s 1647 oratorio “Judas Maccabaeus.” Situated in the historical center, it is the city’s largest church, built in the late gothic style between 1611 and 1614. It is dominated by its two imposing domed towers which are connected by a bridge. It is {…}