(Credit: Sebastien Mathe) The works of Bellini’s, and Bel-Canto in general, have been underrated for centuries, with many judging the orchestration of the pieces as simply being accompaniments for the voices carrying the main melodies. But as every genius composer of opera, Bellini kept looking for the best way to transmit the drama of the libretto through the music and {…}
Alexander Neef will be the Opéra National de Paris’ next director. The announcement was made official on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 after weeks of speculation that this would in fact be the case. According to Le Figaro, the 18-month search for Stéphane Lissner’s successor has come to an end with the current General Manager of the Canadian Opera Company set {…}
(Credit: Charles Duprat) Great opera still exists. The kind where we see a strong cast buoyed by a clear staging and even better musical direction. That argument was strongly made and felt on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at the Palais Garnier with Ivo van Hove’s new production of “Don Giovanni.” The interpretation, which is headed to the Metropolitan Opera in {…}
(Credit: Julien Benhamou / ONP) Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” is undeniably one of the most complex to stage. Not only is it a tremendous challenge for each of the major singers cast in the work, but it presents unique obstacles for any director who opts to take it on. The opera, despite being by one the greatest opera composers {…}
A few facts you need to know before reading this review: Russian opera is something extremely different. Such operas are just perfect for diversifying a repertoire of any European or American opera house. The main reason you might not like Russian opera is an incorrect performance. You need to be a Russian native to understand if it sounds correct. You {…}
Argentine director Marcelo Lombardero has accused Polish auteur Krzysztof Warlikowski of plagiarism with regards to his new production of “Lady Macbeth of Mtsenk.” The story first broke in El País, where the Argentine director, who produced the opera nearly a decade ago in South America, noted that he was “honored” to see Warlikowski honor him with his take on the {…}
Audiences who are unable to get to the Opéra National de Paris will still have a chance to check out some of the company’s many productions via cinema. In sum, the company will be showcasing four operas in movie theaters in 2019-20. They will also showcase three other productions from other venues. First up will be Verdi’s “La Traviata” on {…}
“Don Pasquale” is often considered Donizetti’s comic masterpiece, and if it is not perform as regularly as Donizetti’s “ L’Elisir d’Amore” one need not look further than the demanding part written for the tenor; but when you have Javier Camarena in the cast, you have no reason to worry about anything. But this production was not only about the great {…}
Roberto Alagna has canceled all performances of “Carmen’ at the Opera de Paris. The tenor wrote via social media, “Dear friends, despite 10 days of treatment, time is too short to correctly recover from a severe bronchitis. With all my regrets for those who were awaiting me in this role at the Opéra National de Paris, I have to withdraw. I wish {…}
The Paris Opera revived the Calixto Bieto’s production of “Carmen” at La Bastille with a cast to die for: Anita Rachvelishvili and Roberto Alagna as the tormented couple of Carmen and Don Jose, and Nicole Carr and Roberto Tagliavini as Micaëla and Escamillo. Lorenzo Viotti also made his debut with the company conducting the Orchestre de l’Opéra national de Paris. {…}
Bryan Hymel has canceled his remaining performances of “Les Troyens” at the Opéra National de Paris. The company announced that due to family reasons Hymel would not be able to perform. As a result, Brandon Jovanovich will take over. Hymel was slated to perform three performances of the seven with Jovanovich performing four shows. It is the second high-profile cancellation {…}
