The worlds of classical operatic and its temperamental present have a complex relationship when dealing with the upholding and rejection of entrenched classicism in operatic productions. It is a relationship that seems to neither effectively nor fully answer the question of “Who is opera for today?” It appears as if modern opera is stuck in a limbo, where directors valiantly {…}
On March 15, 2022, La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra will Puccini’s “Il Trittico” as part of their yearly tradition of springtime performances. Director Tobias Kratzer and conductor Alain Altinoglu lead the casts of their respective works. “Il Tabarro” will feature Peter Kalman as Michele, Corrine Winters/Lianna Haroutounian as Giorgetta, and Adam Smith as Luigi/Amante. The cast of “Suor Angelica” includes Winters/Haroutounian {…}
The Dallas Opera is set to return to the stage with a production of “Madame Butterfly.” The production, which opens at the Winspear Opera House, on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 will star Latonia Moore, Evan LeRoy Johnson, Kirstin Chávez, Michael Adams, Martin Bakari, Hyung Yun, and Adam Lau. Music Director Emmanuel Villaume will conduct a production directed by Laurie Feldman. {…}
The Glyndebourne Tour is set to return in 2022 with opera productions and a series of concert performances of famed choral work. The company will present Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” in Michael Grandage’s 2012 production as well as a new production of Puccini’s seminal “La Bohème,” as directed by Floris Visser. There will also be performances of Mozart’s famed {…}
(Photo credit: Prudence Upton) Storywise, Puccini’s “Turandot” presents an interesting challenge. Based on a fairytale dramatized by 18th century Italian writer, Carlo Gozzi, it doesn’t quite fit into Puccini’s more natural style. And even casual audience members might find themselves asking, “If Turandot is so horrible nearly all the way through, how can we believe her sudden change of heart at {…}
Jan. 13, 2022, saw the second performance in the Metropolitan Opera’s run of Puccini’s “La Boheme.” As the perennially-beautiful Zeffirelli production continues to delight, the evening’s cast, led by Maestro Carlo Rizzi, succeeded in bringing their passion and vitality to bear before the audience. Outstanding Leads Fresh from his work with the Berlin Staatsoper, Charles Castronovo was in fine form {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera) Despite the monumental challenges of navigating the quagmire of pandemic era restrictions and precautions, the Metropolitan Opera offered a triumphal revival of McVicar’s opulent production of Puccini’s beloved masterpiece Tosca. Remarkably, there were no replacements for this performance, a real treat during this time where illness and travel restrictions plague the classical stage. This was a {…}
(Credit: Javier del Real) There is no better title to end a year with than Puccini’s lively story of friendship, love and sickness. “La Bohème” is always an audience favorite and Teatro Real, which for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic had no social distancing measures and could sell all the seats in its theatre, sold out {…}
(Credit: Paul Scala) The Wiener Staatsoper has announced that tenor Benjamin Bernheim will not appear in the role of Rodolfo in Puccini’s “La bohème” for the Jan. 6, 2022 performance. As a result, tenor Saimir Pirgu will take over the role. Additionally, the company noted that Ryan Speedo Green will portray Colline in all performances of the run between Jan. {…}
(Credit: Opéra de Toulon official website) The Opéra de Toulon has announced that it will present the performances of Puccini’s “La Bohème” scheduled between Jan. 30 – Feb. 4, 2022 in a concert form due to ongoing concerns over COVID-19. The opera will star Adriana González in the role of Mimì, Mariam Battistelli as Musetta, Davide Giusti in the role {…}
(Credit: Teatro Real official website) The Teatro Real has announced multiple cast changes for the performance of Puccini’s “La bohème” on Jan. 4, 2022. The company noted that Raquel Lojendio will replace Ruth Iniesta in the role of Musetta, while Ailyn Pérez replaces Ermonela Jaho as Mimì. Gabriel Bermúdez will also replace Joan Martín-Royo in the role of Schaunard, and {…}