Americans & Russians Lead Operalia 2021’s Semifinalists

The Operalia Competition has announced the semifinalists for its 2021 edition. In the opera category, the semi-finalists including tenor Ivan Ayon-Rivas (Peru), mezzo-soprano  Gayane Babajanyan (Russia), bass-baritone Vladislav Buialskyi (Ukraine), baritone Dmitry Cheblykov (Russia), bass SungJun Cho (South Korea), mezzo-soprano Linsey Coppens (Belgium), tenor Bekhzod Davronov (Uzbekistan), soprano Mané Galoyan (Armenia), tenor Jonah Hoskins (USA), mezzo-soprano Lilia Istratii (Moldova), mezzo-soprano Victoria Karkacheva {…}

Sep 24, 2021

Javier Camarena, Marina Rebeka & Michael Spyres Lead New CD/DVD Releases

This week audiences are in for a treat with numerous new releases of world premieres, full operas, solo albums, and classic productions. Here is a look at this week’s new releases. Il Pirata Prima Classic releases Bellini’s rarely performed work with Javier Camarena, Marina Rebeka, and Franco Vassallo performing the leading roles. The album was recorded at Bellini’s homeland, Catania, {…}

Sep 14, 2021

Ermonela Jaho & Plácido Domingo Headline Albania’s National Theatre of Opera and Ballet Reopening

(Credit: Fadil Berisha) On Sept. 15, Albania’s National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana will be inaugurated with a gala concert after five years of reconstruction. The gala will feature Plácido Domingo alongside Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho. Martin Andre will conduct the concert. The concert will see Prime Minister Edi Rama attend the evening which is set to begin {…}

Sep 3, 2021

Arena di Verona Announces 2022 Season Celebrating 99 Years

The Arena di Verona has announced its 2022 season which will celebrate the organization’s 99th year. The season will feature 45 evenings with five opera productions and three special events taking place between June 17 and Sept. 4. The season opens with Bizet’s “Carmen” the legendary production which was in fact the 1995 Arena debut of Franco Zeffirelli. Performance Dates: {…}

Aug 11, 2021

Leo Nucci & Plácido Domingo to be Honored with Bellini d’Oro

Leo Nucci and Plácido Domingo will be honored with the Bellini d’Oro awards. The award will be given by the Società Catanese Amici della Musica in Taormina, Italy following a performance of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” at the Teatro Greco Antico. The two famed singers are currently collaborating on the work with Nucci singing the title role and Domingo conducting. In a {…}

Jul 17, 2021

Extremadura Orchestra Foundation Censors Plácido Domingo Performance at Stone & Music Festival

(Credit: Pedro Walter) The Governing Council of the Junta de Extremadura has decided to censor Plácido Domingo’s performance at the sixth edition of the Stone & Music Festival de Mérida, Spain and has decided that the Extremadura Orchestra Foundation will not perform with the famed singer. The decision was made when it was announced on Friday, July 16, that Domingo {…}

Jul 15, 2021

Anna Netrebko, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Renée Fleming, Teresa Stratas, Tatiana Troyanos

(Credit: Met Opera) The Met Opera has announced that it will be concluding its nightly stream series next week. And to commemorate the 71st and final week of streams, the company is turning to operas for the fans, selected by the fans. So here is a rundown of the final week of nightly streams, courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera. Monday, {…}

Jul 8, 2021

Luciano Pavarotti, Renata Scotto, Shirley Verrett, Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna Headline Metropolitan Opera’s 70th Week of Nightly Streams

(Credit: met Opera Archives) The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 70th straight week of nightly streams. In keeping with its theme-based programming, the company has announced that this coming week will be dominated by the operas of Giacomo Puccini, including the first-ever stream of “La Fanciulla del West” starring Barbara Daniels. Here’s a full rundown of the week ahead. Monday, {…}

Jun 30, 2021

Q & A: Sonya Yoncheva on the Rebirth of the Opera Industry & Finding Her Own Freedom as an Artist

(Photo: Alexander Thompson) Sonya Yoncheva has always played by her own rules. She’s never allowed anyone to box her in and has never followed a specific route. She has championed rarely performed like “Il Pirata,” “Siberia,” and “Medea” among others throughout her career, experimenting with all kinds of directors and often arriving at some truly immersive and original interpretations of {…}

Jun 18, 2021

Sonya Yoncheva, Jennifer Rowley & Chelsea Guo Lead New CD/DVD Releases

This week audiences can see two recent live performances and a unique solo album by a pianist/soprano. There are also new releases from some of the world’s biggest stars. Here is a look. Chopin: In My Voice Orchid Classics releases “Chopin: In My Voice,” the debut album of 2020 National Chopin Piano Competition top prize-winner Chelsea Guo. The album showcases {…}