Sonya Yoncheva has canceled her final performance of “Tosca” at the Opera de Paris. The Paris Opera announced that due to illness the soprano would no longer be able to perform on June 5. As a result, Elena Stikhina will replace Yoncheva, singing the title role of “Tosca.” This will be the second performance for Stikhina, who replaced Yoncheva on {…}
This review covers two performances of “Tosca” at Opera de Paris — on 16th and 19th of May 2019. Jonas Kaufmann canceled his first three performances of Tosca in Paris. The audience was shocked. “Kaufmann cancels again!” “We were waiting for it for the whole season!” “We bought tickets in October!” “We were traveling to Paris just to see him!” The {…}
The Opera National de Paris has announced a number of major cast changes in two productions. The company announced that due to medical reasons Alexander Tsymbalyuk has had to withdraw from the current production of Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsenk.” The singer, who is currently performing the roles of Chief of Police and Old Bagnard, will be replaced by Sava Vemic, who {…}
Roberto Alagna has canceled opening night of Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Opéra de Paris. The company announced that due to health reasons, the tenor was forced to cancel the opening performance on April 11. As a result, Jean-François Borras will perform the role of Don José. Borras is set to join Anita Rachvelishvili, who sings the title role, Nicole Car, and Roberto Tagliavini. {…}
A year ago, we released a quiz dedicated to opera history. Obviously, there was no way to summarize all the information into just 10 trivia questions. We knew the day would come when we would be able to incorporate some other fun information in the form of another quiz. And that day has now come. Behold another trivia quiz made {…}
The Opéra National de Paris has announced its 2019-20 seasons which will feature a total of 19 operas and the entire Ring Cycle in an all-new production. Bellini’s “I Puritani” opens the season in a production by Laurent Pelly. Elsa Dreisig takes the leading role with Javier Camarena and Francesco Demuro sharing the role of Arturo. Riccardo Frizza conducts the {…}
Mezzo soprano Elīna Garanča will not be participating in the Opéra de Paris’ upcoming production of “Les Troyens.” The company made the announcement via Twitter noting that the Latvian artist had withdrawn due to health reasons. In her stead, the role of Didon will be performed by Russian mezzo Ekaterina Semenchuk, who was previously scheduled to appear in “Rusalka.” Per {…}
It’s a well-known fact, that Donizetti wrote his comic gem “L’Elisir d’Amore” in haste during a six-week period. Yet, his work exceeded all expectations, becoming the most often performed opera in Italy for next 15 years. One hundred and eighty five years later we have way higher expectations for this masterpiece, which can be a rather high bar to reach {…}
Elīna Garanča is, for many, THE mezzo-soprano of this generation. With her movie star looks and acting chops to match. she has performed at all the major theaters, showcased an extensive array of repertoire and recorded award-winning albums. She has made a specialty of lyric mezzo roles such as Octavian in “Der Rosenkavalier” or the title role in “Carmen,” but {…}
The Opéra de Paris has announced that Lorenzo Viotti will conduct the 350th-anniversary gala starring Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov. The company announced that Viotti will replace Giacomo Sagripanti, who was originally scheduled for the gala that will celebrate the theater’s 350th anniversary. Viotti is a Swiss conductor who is the designated chief maestro of the Gulbenkian Orchestra in Lisbon and who {…}
Stéphane Lissner, director of the Opéra National de Paris, will not retain his position for long. Per Le Monde, his contract runs out in 2021 and he is not set to have it renewed. The report also notes that Françoise Nyssen, the current minister of culture has made the decision and informed Lissner of it. One of the reasons behind {…}