(Credit: ©Barbara Anmüller) “Comedy today, tragedy tomorrow.” American soprano Sydney Mancasola uttered these words before going to the stage at the Adelaide Festival on March 13 2020, in the role of Bess in opera “Breaking the Waves.” The opera had a second performance on March 15, and at that time the coronavirus pandemic already begun its deadly march across Europe {…}
(Credit: https://www.buehnen-frankfurt.de/) Oper Frankfurt has announced that, starting Dec. 16, 2021, it will reduce its seating capacity to maximum of 530 spectators. Per the new State Ordinance of the State of Hessen, theaters and opera houses are required to further limit seating capacity in venues due to the concerns over the ongoing spread of COVID-19. Oper Frankfurt uses 2G+ rule {…}
(Credit: © Kirsten Bucher) The Intendant of Oper Frankfurt, Bernd Loebe, has warned that there could be major consequences in the event that cultural institutions are forced to close due to the worsening COVID-19 crisis in Germany. “Closing the theaters would have devastating consequences,” said Loebe following the statement by the Prime Minister of the State of Hessen Volker Bouffier. Bouffier {…}
(Credit: Monika Rittershaus) The Oper Frankfurt has announced the upcoming run of Franz Lehár’s popular operetta “Die Lustige Witwe.” Headlining the cast are Annette Dasch as the merry widow herself, Hanna Glawari, and Johannes Martin Kränzle as her contentious lover Count Danilo Danilowitsch. In other central roles are Barnaby Rea as Baron Mirko Zeta, and Florina Ilie as his wife {…}
(Credit: Oper Frankfurt official website) Oper Frankfurt has announced that 2G+ rule for entry into the theater will apply starting Nov. 25, 2021. The 2G+ rule means that only vaccinated and recovered persons can attend performances, but they also need to have a valid negative COVID-19 test. Face masks are mandatory during the entire stay in the opera house, including {…}
(Credit: Simon Pauly) Bass-baritone Seth Carico will take over the title role in Mozart‘s operatic masterwork “Don Giovanni” at De Nationale Opera in Amsterdam, replacing baritone Domen Križaj. Carico joins a cast that includes Adrian Sâmpetrean in the role of Leporello, Adela Zaharia as Donna Anna, Amanda Majeski as Donna Elvira, Long Long in the role of Don Ottavio, Rafał {…}
Oper Frankfurt has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of “Carmen.” The company noted that Adriana Gonzalez will take over the role of Micaëla, replacing Angela Vallone. Gonzalez won Operalia in 2019 and has performed at the Opera de Toulon, Opernhaus Zurich, Opéra de Lille, Opéra de Dijon and Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid. This season she is {…}
(Credit: Simon Pauly) Oper Frankfurt has announced the appointment of German conductor Thomas Guggeis as its new General Music Director starting 2023-24 season, succeeding Sebastian Weigle. “I have been following Thomas Guggeis’ path since he stepped in for Christoph von Dohnányi in Berlin’s “Salome” in 2018. To speak of a singular talent is an understatement. Despite his young age, Thomas {…}
Oper Frankfurt has announced its 2021-22 season featuring recitals, new productions and many revivals. Premieres Roland Böer conducts a new production of Handel’s “Amadigi” with Andrea Bernard directing. Performance Dates: Sept. 25-Oct. 7, 2021 G Leo Hussain conducts the new production of Cimarosa’s “L’Italiana in Londra.” R.B. Schlather directs the rarely performed work. Performance Date: Sept. 26-Oct. 30, 2021 Carl {…}
(Credit: Wolfgang Runkel) (UPDATE: While the following theaters are not performing for live audiences, they are streaming live concerts from various platforms. For more information, check out our streaming section of OperaWire.com) The Oper Frankfurt and Staatsoper Stuttgart have announced that they will extend the closure until at least June 2021 due to the worsening epidemiological situation in Germany. Meanwhile, {…}
(Credit: Lauren Bloom) The Santa Fe Opera has announced the appointment of David Lomelí as its Chief Artistic Officer. Lomelí will be responsible for the artistic operations of the company including casting. “I could not be more thrilled to welcome David to the Santa Fe Opera. Not only is he one of the leading casting directors of his generation with {…}