Opernhaus Zürich has named a new Opera Director. The company named Annette Weber as its new director of opera and will replace Michael Fichtenholtz, who is under investigation for abuse and harassment. Weber is currently the casting director of Staatsoper Hamburg and will begin her new position in Zurich in September. Weber has worked as a director at the Badisch {…}
(Credit: Opernhaus Zürich official website) The Opernhaus Zürich has announced that it will cancel all the regular performances until at least May 1, 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic concerns and anticipated restrictions in the cultural sector. Among the canceled productions are Richard Strauss‘ operatic masterwork “Capriccio,” concert performances of Rossini’s opera “La donna del Lago,” as well as {…}
(Credit: Piotr Beczała official website) The Wiener Staatsoper has announced a cast change for the premiere of Calixto Bieito’s production of Bizet’s “Carmen.” The company announced that Piotr Beczała will replace Charles Castronovo in the role of Don José. Castronovo was recently hospitalized due to COVID-19 and is currently recovering. Therefore, he will not be able to make all scheduled rehearsals. {…}
(Credit: Uwe Arens) The celebrated British baritone Sir Simon Keenlyside will not be appearing for the concert at the Teatro alla Scala on Feb. 6, 2021. It was originally planned for Sir Simon Keenlyside to perform alongside soprano Chen Reiss with Maestro Zubin Mehta conducting. The Teatro alla Scala did not provide a reason for the famed baritone’s withdrawal. Keenlyside {…}
(Credit: Opernhaus Zürich official website) The Opernhaus Zürich has announced that it will remain closed until at least April 5, 2021. The decision was made after broad consultations with the Canton of Zürich. Per the official statement on the company’s website, the announcement by the Swiss Federal Council at the beginning of February that no major easing is expected in {…}
(Images source: MEZZO TV website) Opernhaus Zürich will broadcast three operas on MEZZO TV throughout January and February 2021. First up will be Bellini’s operatic jewel “I Capuleti e i Montecchi” featuring Joyce DiDonato in the role of Romeo, Olga Kulchynska as Giulietta, Benjamin Bernheim in the role of Tebaldo, Alexei Botnarciuc as Capellio, and Erik Anstine as Lorenzo. Opernhaus {…}
(Credits: Kartal Karagedik / © Capucine de Chocqueuse / Christian Felber) Opernhaus Zürich will live stream two of its productions in February 2021. Due to the Swiss government’s COVID-19 regulations, both productions will be performed without a live public. Performances will be viewable on the Opernhaus Zürich’s website. First up will be Franz Schubert’s “Winterreise.” Hans Zender’s rearrangement of Schubert’s {…}
(Credit: Jason Homa) The ABAO Bilbao Ópera has announced that it will present a series of concerts, with the first taking place in February 2021. Between February and May 2021, six recitals will be held in collaboration with different institutions in Bilbao, such as the Euskaduna Palace or the Bilbao Philharmonic Society. Famed soprano Lisette Oropesa will open the series {…}
(Credit: Koichi Miura/Metropolitan Opera) The Dallas Symphony has announced that it has extended the contract for its Music Director Fabio Luisi for another five years, throughout the 2028/29 concert season. Luisi began his first season as Music Director in the current 2020/21 season after a year of holding the title Music Director Designate. Luisi also holds the positions of General {…}
(Credits: Opernhaus Zürich official website / https://www.opera-online.com / Basel.com) The Opernhaus Zürich, Grand Théâtre de Genève, and Theater Basel have all announced their respective closures until at least Feb. 28, 2021. The announcements came as a result of a decision by Swiss federal authorities to extend the lockdown until Feb. 28, 2021. The Opernhaus Zürich stated that it also had {…}
Credit: Jiyang Chen Countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński is set to give two concerts in Spain in January 2021. The first stop for the countertenor will be at the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona on Jan. 11, and the second concert will take place at the National Auditorium in Madrid on Jan. 17, 2021. On both occasions, Orliński will {…}