“Simon Boccanegra” – in its standard 1881 revision – is an undisputed, though infrequently performed, masterpiece. But what of its very first iteration from 1857? Its premiere, at Venice’s La Fenice, famously turned into a fiasco. Julian Budden, for example, admitted to the hostility with which the libretto was received, while Verdi himself, in a letter to Giraldoni, wryly picked {…}
Opera Rara is set to stream its March 16 concert featuring Michael Spyres and Marie-Nicole Lemieux. The showcase, which took place at Cadogan Hall on March 10, will be available to stream on Opera Rara’s YouTube for 30 days starting on March 16, 2025. The performance featured several songs by Donizetti, interspersed with works by Berlioz. The two singers were {…}
Opera Rara has announced the 2025 schedule The first series of “Lives in Song” is hosted by Flora Willson and Roger Parker. Donizetti—Episode 2 will examine the music of Gaetano Donizetti and tell the story of his life through some of the songs he composed. Stream Date: Jan. 16, 2025 Opera Rara’s second Salon Series recital for emerging artists will {…}
(Credit: (c) Simon Weir) Opera Rara is set to stream its upcoming performance of Rosa Feola at Wigmore Hall on Nov. 2, 2024. The famed soprano will perform as part of the “Donizetti Song Project” alongside Carlo Rizzi at the piano and Sally Pryce on harp. The performance features songs by Donizetti as well as a modern-day premiere. Also on {…}
Opera Rara is set to present its second “Donizetti and Friends” recital on May 23, 2024. The showcase, which will take place at Wigmore Hall, will feature Artist Ambassador Ermonela Jaho. She is joined by Artistic Director Carlo Rizzi. They will perform numerous songs by Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, Gounod, and Viardot. Also performing at the concert is violinist Marco Rizzi {…}
In 2023, Carlo Rizzi and the British label of Opera Rara resurrected Mercadante’s unjustly neglected “Il Proscritto” – the story of the exile Giorgio Argyll’s return to Scotland and the ensuing, tragic love triangle at the heart of Salvadore Cammarano’s rather unlikely libretto. In 2024, conductor Rizzi turns his attention to another exile: the former tribune Settimio who is the {…}
Opera Rara has announced a cast change for its concert performance of “Simon Boccanegra.” The company said, “We’re sorry to not be able to work with Nicola Alaimo again this year as he’s had to withdraw from ‘Simon Boccanegra’ due to illness. We wish Nicola a very speedy recovery! We’re happy to announce that our Simon will now be Germán {…}
Opera Rara has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the concert performances and album releases. Concerts The company will open its season with the 1857 version of Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” in Manchester. Sir Mark Elder conducts The Hallé and Chorus of Opera North. The cast includes Nicola Alaimo (Simon Boccanegra), Eri Nakamura (Amelia), Iván-Ayón Rivas (Gabriele Adorno), {…}
Opera Rara has announced its Spring 2024 performance slate. First up will be the third recital in its Salon Series featuring bass William Thomas as he presented music by Verdi and Donizetti alongside pianist Florent Mourier. Performance Dates: Feb. 22, 2024 Then comes a presentation of the 1857 version of Verdi’s “Simon Bocanegra.” The edition, edited by Roger Parker at Casa {…}
The production history of Jacques Offenbach’s “La Princesse de Trébizonde” is convoluted to say the least. It premiered twice, once in Baden-Baden and once at the Bouffes-Parisiens in 1869. In between both versions, it was reworked extensively; pastiches from the unpublished “La Baguette” were removed and Offenbach wrote a whole new act in a bid to align the narrative of {…}
Opera Rara has announced the launch of the Donizetti Song Project on Sept. 9, 2023. The project will feature Donizetti’s entire song output, around 200 in total, showcased in performance and recordings. First up is “Donizetti & Friends” at Wigmore Hall, starring tenor Lawrence Brownlee and Artistic Director Carlo Rizzi. This event will include songs by Donizetti, Rossini, Bellini, Verdi, {…}
