Aigul Akhmetshina has been forced to cancel her first performance of “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” at the Opéra de Paris on June 28, 2025. The mezzo took to social media and said, “Dear friends, I’m really sad to announce that I won’t be able to sing the first night of ‘Il Barbiere di Siviglia’ at the Opera Bastille this Saturday {…}
The Opéra de Paris has announced a cast change for its production of Massenet’s “Manon.” The company said that Nadine Sierra has withdrawn from the production due to illness. As a result, the role of Manon will be played by Amina Edris for all performances. Edris performed the role of Manon for her European debut in 2019 at the Opéra National {…}
The Opéra National de Paris has announced its 2025-26 season. The season opens with Puccini’s “La Bohème,” featuring Nicole Car, Yaritza Véliz, Charles Castronovo, Joshua Guerrero, Andrea Carroll, Étienne Dupuis, Xiaomeng Zhang, and Alexandros Stavrakakis. Domingo Hindoyan conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 12-Oct. 14, 2025 Cecilia Molinari leads Handel’s “Ariodante” alongside Luca Tittoto, Jacquelyn Stucker, Sabine Devieilhe, Rupert Charlesworth, Christophe Dumaux, {…}
Opéra de Paris has announced a cast change for its production of “Das Rheingold.” The company said, “Ludovic Tézier, unwell, has been obliged to withdraw from the new production of Richard Wagner’s ‘Das Rheingold,’ directed by Calixto Bieito. Influenza prevents him from completing all the rehearsals required for this role debut. The baritone is immensely disappointed at having to give up {…}
As part of its “Opéra d’Été” program, the Opéra National de Paris will present video transmissions of numerous productions in different venues around the country throughout the summer. This summer, the company will present two operas and two ballets, with the two vocal works including “Cendrillon” and “Roméo et Juliette.” The operas will head to Vannes, Digne-les-Bains, Vesoul, La Léchere, {…}
The Opéra de Paris has announced a cast change for its June 23 performance of Spontini’s “La Vestale.” The company said, “Jean Teitgen, unwell, will not be able to perform vocally on Sunday, June 23, 2024. The role of the Souverain Pontife will be played on stage by Jean Teitgen and sung upstage by Nicolas Courjal.” Courjal has performed with {…}
The Opéra de Paris has announced a cast change for its June 15 performance of “La Vestale.” The company said that Elodie Hache will sing the role of Julia replacing Elza van den Heever, who is ill. Van den Heever took to social media and said, “I am heartbroken to share the news that I will not sing this evening’s {…}
(Photo credit: Emilie Brouchon / Opéra national de Paris) I’ve been told that one reads “Don Quichotte” three times in life: in one’s twenties to laugh, in one’s forties to think, and in one’s sixties to cry. This saddening saying reflects the multivocal quality of the Chevalier of La Mancha’s myth: painfully delusional and carnally human, his hallucinatory deeds are {…}
(Photo: Charles Duprat / Opéra National de Paris) Whether you liked it or not, Lydia Steier’s “Salome” was the event of last season. Bleeding bodies, shooting guns, nudity, and rape; it was an R-rated “Salome.” Its provocations echoed both Wilde’s spirit and current discussions of gender, capitalism, and harassment. In this revival, the story is a bit different. The true {…}
Opéra National de Paris is set to present a new production of Massenet’s “Don Quichotte.” Patrick Fournillier will conduct the new production by Damiano Michieletto. The cast will include Christian Van Horn and Gábor Bretz in the title role, Gaëlle Arquez as La Belle Dulcinée, Étienne Dupuis as Sancho Pança, Emy Gazeilles and Marine Chagnon playing the roles of Pedro and {…}
Photo credit: Elisa Haberer / Opéra national de Paris Paris Opera’s production of Charpentier’s “Médée” is not bad, but throughout the performance, operagoers will be filled with a sensation of uneasiness. It is not necessarily because of its murderous plot, but because the production feels unsuited to its musicians. It leaves one with the feeling of wearing a garment lent {…}