Will Liverman, Ana María Martinez, René Barbera, Mario Rojas, David Portillo Headline New Productions by Lyric Opera of Chicago for 2020-21

The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced additional productions for its 2020-21 season. In addition to its “Twilight: Gods” the company will present “Pasión Latina,” a free concert featuring such renowned artists as Ana María Martínez, René Barbera, David Portillo, Mario Rojas, Richard Ollarsaba, Denis Vélez, and Ricardo José Rivera. The performance will feature music from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, {…}

Nov 6, 2020

English National Opera 2020 Review: La Bohème

(Credit: Lloyd Winters) The jumbotrons flash with bright colors and larger-than-life faces. The campervans are scattered across Alexandra Palace’s massive outdoor stage. I am transported to some bizzarro Coachella performed in suburban London. I pull my coat close around me as a pervasive English damp and an all-too familiar British wind cut through the desert festival scenes. The cars beginning {…}

Nov 5, 2020

Ópera de Colombia & Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo Stream ‘Gianni Schicchi’ Starting Nov. 5

The Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo and Ópera de Colombia will be releasing a video production of “Gianni Schicchi” on Nov. 5, 2020. The production, which will be streamed until Nov. 12 via the Bancolombia and Teatro Mayor online platform, will feature performances from the Orquesta Filarmónica Juvenil de la Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá, as well as 15 vocal {…}

Oct 30, 2020

Latonia Moore to Headline Austin Opera’s ‘Tosca’

Austin Opera has announced that Latonia Moore will headline the company’s 2021 production of Puccini’s “Tosca.” Moore will be replacing soprano Leah Crocetto who was originally scheduled to perform but withdrew due to an “extended engagement” in Australia. This will be Moore’s Austin Opera debut. The soprano has appeared in the role of Tosca with such companies as Washington National {…}

Oct 29, 2020

Opera Meets Film: How ‘Tosca’s’ ‘Vissi d’Arte’ Provides Symbolism & Transcendent Life to ‘Lola Vers la Mer’

“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a film section or a film in its entirety and highlight the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features Larent {…}

Oct 26, 2020

Tareq Nazmi Joins the Cast Of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ At Wiener Staatsoper

(Credit: © Marco Borggreve) The Wiener Staatsoper has announced that bass Tareq Nazmi will take over the role of Bottom in the upcoming run of Benjamin Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Nazmi will replace bass Matthew Rose. Nazmi will join a cast that includes Lawrence Zazzo in the role of Oberon, Erin Morley as Tytania, Josh Lovell in the role {…}

Oct 26, 2020

Opera Ithaca 2020 Review: Gianni Schicchi

(Photo credit: Opera Ithaca) Diving headfirst into creating a film production of an opera in the middle of a pandemic is a risk that most companies might shy away from taking right now. Social distancing and the tedious task of troubleshooting with technology, video editing, and sound design are all vital factors that must be adhered to and mastered. However, {…}

Oct 22, 2020

Anja Harteros Cancels Recital At Semperoper Dresden

(Credit: Marco Borggreve) The Semperoper Dresden has announced that the Oct. 28, 2020 recital of German soprano Anja Harteros has been canceled. In a press release, the company stated, “in the view of the current COVID-19 situation in Germany, the soprano very much regrets having to cancel her appearance at the Semperoper out of caution.” Harteros is scheduled to return {…}

Oct 22, 2020

Royal Opera House Announces ‘Meet The Young Artists Week 2020’

(Credit: © Nick Hufton) The Royal Opera House Covent Garden has announced “Meet the Young Artists Week 2020,” which will take place from Oct. 26 – Oct. 31, 2020. The Jette Parker Young Artists program is a two-year apprenticeship at the ROH, that involves young talents just starting their musical careers. Four new talents joined the program this year including {…}

Oct 20, 2020

Noel Bouley Steps in For Amartuvshin Enkhbat in ‘Tosca’ at Deutsche Oper Berlin

(Credit: Deutsche Oper Berlin official website) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced the replacement of Mongolian baritone Amartuvshin Enkhbat in the role of Scarpia for a concert performance of Puccini’s “Tosca” on Oct. 23, 2020. Baritone Noel Bouley will perform in his stead. Bouley will join a cast that includes Fabio Sartori in the role of Mario Cavaradossi, and Malin {…}

Oct 19, 2020

Piotr Beczała Concert in Wrocław Postponed Due To COVID-19

(Credit: Johannes Ifkovits) Polish tenor Piotr Beczała has announced on his official Facebook account that his concert at the Narodowe Forum Muzyki in Wrocław has been postponed due to the worsening epidemiological situation. Beczała was supposed to perform with the Polska Filharmonia Kameralna Sopot and the program for the concert included works by Verdi, Puccini, Massenet, Moniuszko, Giordano, and Mascagni. {…}