“Lucia di Lammermoor” remains one of the supreme achievements of Romantic opera, capable of transforming inner conflict into pure musical expression. Premiered at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples in 1835, Gaetano Donizetti’s masterpiece transcends the conventional sentimental tragedy to offer one of the most complex female psychological portraits of the nineteenth century. Based on Walter Scott’s The Bride {…}
Yet another “Tosca” — this one captured live at the 2024 edition of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. The production garnered widespread acclaim, not least for its stark pseudo-fascist décor, evocative of today’s authoritarianism worldwide. But how do its musical qualities fare, and do they warrant the release of Naxos’s new CD set? The performance is entrusted to the capable {…}
The Teatro Real de Madrid has announced its 2026-27 season. Opera Sondra Radvanovsky and Saioa Hernández lead Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut” with Lucas Meachem, Szymon Mechliński, Brian Jagde,, Michael Fabiano and Jorge de Leon. Nicola Luisotti conducts Carlos Wagner’s production. Performance Dates: Sept. 23-Oct. 11, 2026 Paul Agnew conducts Handel’s “Riccardo Primo, rè d’Inghilterra” with Jakub Józef Orliński, Melissa Petit, Alex Rosen, {…}
The Atlanta Opera is set to present a new production of Puccini’s “Turandot.” Directed by General and Artistic Director Tomer Zvulun, the opera will be conducted by Principal Conductor Iván López Reynoso. The cast will include Angela Meade in the title role alongside tenor Piero Pretti as Calaf, and Juliana Grigoryan as Liù. The cast will be rounded out by Peixen {…}
The Edinburgh International Festival has announced its 2026 season. Here are the vocal performances. Opera Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s “The Galloping Cure” will make its world premiere with Stuart Stratford conducting the Scottish Opera and Tom Morris directing. Performance Dates: August 9-12, 2026 Konstantin Krimmel lead Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” with Brindley Sherratt, Louise Alder, Giovanni Sala, Janai Brugger, Michael Sumuel, William Thomas, and Hera {…}
(Credit: Javier del Real | Teatro Real) In recent years, Madrid’s Teatro Real has programmed many “operas in concert.” Sometimes they’re well-known, such as “Orfeo ed Euridice,” “Idomeneo,” or “Die Fledermaus” that I attended at the venerable theatre over the last three seasons. On occasion, they present more obscure works, such as Verdi’s early opera “I masnadieri”(1847). In the past, {…}
The Teatro San Carlo is set to present Verdi’s “Nabucco” in a production by Andreas Homoki. The production will be shown from Jan. 18 to 31, 2026 and will be conducted by Riccardo Frizza. Ludovic Tézier will take on the title role alongside Marina Rebeka as Abigaille. They will be joined by Piero Pretti as Ismaele and Michele Pertusi as {…}
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced a cast change for its production of “La Bohème.” The company said that Piero Pretti will take over the role of Rodolfo on Dec. 20, 23, 30, 2025 and Jan. 2, 2026 replacing Long Long, who is unable to perform in the production. Pretti is a well-known tenor who has performed at the Metropolitan {…}
(Credit: Luciano Romano) On Oct. 4, the Teatro San Carlo brought a new production of Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera.” The evening was much anticipated as it featured the role debut of Anna Netrebko as Amelia, and reunited the famed soprano with baritone Ludovic Tézier, following an exceptional “La Gioconda” last year. While the two superstars lived up to their {…}
(Credit: Luciano Romano) On Oct. 4, the Teatro San Carlo will present a production of “Un Ballo in Maschera.” The production, which is sold out, will star Anna Netrebko in her anticipated role debut as Amelia, alongside Piero Pretti as Riccardo and Ludovic Tézier as Renato. They will be joined by Elizabeth DeShong, who will make her house debut and {…}
(Photo: Ansa Matteo Corner) This Monday, the long-awaited press conference was held to unveil the Teatro alla Scala’s 2025–26 season. The lineup promises to shine with big names, new productions, and ambitious projects. That’s why we’re bringing you a Top five list of the unmissable highlights of the new season! Number 1: A Bold Opening As tradition dictates, the season {…}
