The Operalia 2017 competition has come to an end with Adela Zaharia and Levy Sekgapane as the winners of the first prizes. I sat through the entire transmission, listening to a truly talented class of singers, many of whom already have the musical maturity and performance acumen to be major figures in the opera world in the not-so-distant future. With {…}
South African tenor Levy Sekgapane and Romanian soprano Adela Zaharia were the first prize winners of this year’s Operalia Competition. In the male voice competition, second place went to tenor Davide Giusti, while the third place award was given to Korean baritone Leon Kim. In the female voice competition, Russian soprano Kristina Mkhitaryan won the second prize while third prize {…}
Plácido Domingo’s conducting ambitions are expanding next season the legendary opera star conducts a full Wagner opera for the first time in his career in the composer’s own sanctuary. That’s right, Domingo is leading a Wagner opera in Bayreuth during the summer of 2018. The work of choice? “Die Walküre,” an opera he has performed previously in his career. In {…}
Many of the great opera houses around the world are now closed but festival season is beginning with many of the most renowned singers headlining new productions. Argentina Robert Carsen’s “Der Rosenkavalier” continues its run at the Teatro Colón. Austria The Salzburg Festival kicks off with the final performance of Opera Camp, Jedermann. At the Bregenzer Festival Rossini’s “Moses in Eygpt” {…}
Did you miss the Met’s Live in HD broadcasts courtesy of Fathom Events these past few summers? Still want to check out some HD broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera? Well, you have a chance to do just that, at the Met. More like, right outside the Met, as the company will offer 10 free screenings in Lincoln Center Plaza from {…}
The Fort Worth Opera has announced the creation of the Fort Worth Opera National Artistic Council. The new council will be led by Plácido Domingo and will be composed of renowned artists, classical musicians, and directors. The purpose will be to provide ongoing support and guidance to FWOpera regarding artistic endeavors and educational programs that impact the city of Fort {…}
This week a number of artist showed pictures backstage as they continued to prepare roles for the summer season. Diana Damrau returned to the Bayerische Staatsoper as Violetta in “La Traviata” and shared a number of stills from the performance. It also signaled the return of Plácido Domingo at the theater. La Traviata #2 tonight @bayerischestaatsoper in Munich! ❤️ #munich {…}
Two companies’ seasons end this weekend with a number of stars continuing runs of important works. Austria The Wiener Staatsoper will showcase Debussy’s “Pelléas et Mélisande” starring Franz-Josef Selig, Bernarda Fink, Adrian Eröd, Simon Keenlyside and Olga Bezsmertna ending the season. Czech Republic The Prague Summer Nights festival continues with Opera scenes and the opening of Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte.” {…}
The Berlin Staatsoper has announced its 2017-18 season with a lineup of superstars. New Productions The opera with a new production of Schumann’s oratorio “Szenen aus Goethes Faust” directed by Jürgen Flimm. Daniel Barenboim conducts the production which is set to star Roman Trekel and Rene Pape. The company will then present the chamber opera “Rivale” followed by the kinderoper “Der Unglaubliche {…}
When Jonas Kaufmann takes the stage on Wed. June 21, 2017, for his first ever “Otello” in Verdi’s masterwork, he will follow in a long line of major tenors that have dominated the opera at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The opera first premiered with the ROH on Oct. 17, 1955, in a production starring Ramon Vinay in his {…}
The time has come again for some of our recommendations for opera performances, from all around the globe. Austria The Vienna State Opera offers a range of operatic opportunities this weekend starting with Gaetano Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” starring Danielle de Niese and Speranza Scappucci in the podium. Saturday is Verdi’s “Rigoletto” led by Aida Garifullina, Roberto Frontali and Yosep Kang {…}