(Credit: Johan Jacobs) The government of Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has officially reopened theaters following a decision by the Council of State. Using an emergency procedure, the Council of State ruled that the government’s closure measures were not proportionate, and didn’t provide enough motives to understand why attending cultural performances was particularly dangerous for public health. Per the {…}
The Opera Royal de Liege Wallonie staged a brand-new production of Rossini’s “Otello.” The once-popular opera used to be performed worldwide in Rossini’s time but disappeared from the repertoire completely when Verdi’s “Otello” premiered in 1887. But that wasn’t all. Rossini’s version also fell out of the rotation for the same reasons many bel canto works disappeared: the realism and {…}
(Credit: La Monnaie official website) Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège has announced that its seating capacity has been limited to 200 spectators due to ongoing COVID-19 circumstances. “Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège has learned with amazement and disbelief of the decisions of the Cultural Committee that set the limitation of seating capacity to 200 people, which will be applicable from Monday December {…}
(Credit: © Jacques Croisier-Opéra Royal de Wallonie) This article was written in collaboration with Editor-in-Chief David Salazar. In February 2021, the Opera Royal de Wallonie-Liège was shattered by the premature death of its General and Artistic Director Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera. Mazzonis di Pralafera held the position for 14 years, and thus inevitably left a considerable stamp on the opera {…}
(Credit: Lourdes Balduque) L’Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège in Belgium has announced the cancellation of Verdi’s rarely performed “I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata.” The opera was set to star Saioa Hernández in the role of Giselda, Ramón Vargas as Oronte, Marco Ciaponi in the role of Arvino, Goderdzi Janelidze as Pagano, Virginie Léonard in the role of Viclinda, Luca Dall’Amico as {…}
(Credit: Opéra Comique official website) The Opéra Comique in Paris has canceled its upcoming production of Jacques Offenbach’s opera “La Belle Hélène.” The opera was set to star Marie–Nicole Lemieux, Philippe Talbot, Kangmin Justin Kim, Michel Fau, Franck Leguérinel, Jean-Claude Saragosse, Pierre-Emmanuel Roubet, Thomas Morris, Yoann Dubruque, Sarah Jouffroy, and Didier Deconinck. Pierre Dumoussaud was signed on to conduct Les {…}
(Credits: Opera Online) The Festival de Teatro Lírico Español de Oviedo has announced two cast changes for its upcoming production of Manuel de Falla’s “La Vida Breve.” First, soprano Virginia Tola will replace Ainhoa Arteta, who tested positive for COVID-19 and is still recovering. Additionally, mezzo-soprano Cristina Faus will replace María Luisa Corbacho, who has also tested positive for the {…}
(Credit: © D.R) Opera director Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera has died at the age of 72. Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera was born in the capital of Italy. He studied law and music in Rome, and at the same time pursued directing with the University Theatre in Rome. He directed his first operas in 1983 and was subsequently invited by the {…}
(Credits: Gregor Hohenberg SONY Classical) The Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège has announced that it has canceled concerts by Juan Diego Flórez and Jonas Kaufmann due to the COVID-19 measures imposed by the government of Belgium. Flórez was set to perform on Jan. 8, 2021, alongside Christopher Franklin, who was supposed to lead Orchestra of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège. Meanwhile, {…}
(Credit: Wallonia Belgium Tourism website) Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège has announced the cancelation of its production of Rossini’s “Il Turco in Italia,” which was scheduled for performance between Jan. 29 and Feb. 6 2021. The showcase was canceled due to COVID-19 measures imposed by the government of Belgium. The opera was set to star Guido Loconsolo as Selim, Nino Machaidze {…}
(Credit: Gran Teatre del Liceu official website) Tenor Celso Albelo will be performing the New Years concert with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Las Palmas. Due to COVID-19 measures in Spain, a total of four performances will be offered on Dec. 26, 27, and 28 2020, with two concerts on Dec. 27. Albelo will be joined on stage by singers Patricia {…}