(Photos: ©Fondazione Teatri di Piancenza) As the 19th century came to a close, during a period of artistic transition, young composers sought to innovate and redefine the operatic language. It was in this context that, almost fortuitously, the most emblematic diptych of Italian musical theater and the ultimate prototype of verismo opera emerged: Pietro Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s {…}
(Photo: Sofia Opera & Ballet) Having successfully staged strong productions of “Das Rheingold” and “Die Walküre,” followed by a slightly less convincing presentation of “Siegfried,” Sofia Opera & Ballet concluded its new production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle with a splendid performance of “Götterdämmerung.” Not only was it musically, dramatically and visually gripping, but it also successfully brought together the threads {…}
(Photo: Sofia Opera & Ballet) After a very successful performance of “Die Walküre,” expectations were running high for Sofia Opera & Ballet’s production of “Siegfried,” the third opera in the company’s latest Ring Cycle. Unfortunately, however, it fell short of the standards set by the two preceding operas, “Das Rheingold” and “Die Walküre,” and was dwarfed by the excellent presentation {…}
Photo: Sofia Opera & Ballet Having successfully established its aesthetic and dramatic foundations during its production of “Das Rheingold” on the previous evening, Sofia Opera continued with its new presentation of Wagner’s Ring Cycle for what turned out to be a musically and theatrically strong performance of “Die Walküre.” Kartaloff’s Visually Stunning Direction The director, Plamen Kartaloff, along with his {…}
(Photo: Sofia Opera & Ballet) Bulgaria’s Sofia Opera has just premiered its new production of Wagner’s Ring cycle, its second in the last 13 years. Perhaps even more remarkable, however, is the fact that in a country with a population of less than seven million people, the cycle was cast almost entirely using home-grown talent, with only two singers coming {…}