(Credit: David Elofer) The Opéra National de Paris has announced the cast change for the role of Mimì in the Puccini, Giacosa and Illica’s opera “La bohème,” according to the official statement on the company’s website. Per the statement, soprano Marina Costa-Jackson has withdrawn from the production due to maternity leave and Ekaterina Siurina will thus perform in her stead {…}
Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth today announced the programming and creative teams for Utah Opera 2020-21 season. Casting details will be announced at a later date. In this upcoming season, Utah Opera will showcase four operas at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre. Wagner’s opera “The Flying Dutchman” will open the season in October 2020, with the premiere on {…}
In Phoenix on January 24, 2020, Arizona Opera presented Giacomo Puccini, Luigi Illica, and Giuseppe Giacosa’s popular opera “La Bohème.” Illica and Giacosa wrote the opera’s libretto and I agree with modern writers that librettists deserve as much credit as composers. When the curtain opened, Stage Director Paul and Scenic Designer Peter Dean Beck gave us a two-level garret that would return for the last act. In it he did not use what I guess was merely a sleeping loft on the upper level. This construction is actually part of a most effective unit set that formed the second act hillside street, and the third act gate.
(Credit: Rod Millington) Sarasota Opera is set to present Puccini’s “La Bohème” starting on Feb. 8, 2020 as part of its Winter Festival. The 13 performances, which will run through March 21, 2020, will feature Anna Mandina as Mimì, making her role debut. She will be joined by William Davenport as Rodolfo. Filippo Fontana will play the role of Marcello {…}
(Credit: Royal Opera House/Clive Barda) Soprano Angela Gheorghiu will not be appearing in the title role of Puccini’s opera “Tosca” on March 7, 2020 at the Semperoper Dresden, according to the official press statement on the company’s website. In her stead, audiences will get a chance to see British soprano Emily Magee, who was already scheduled to take on the {…}
(Photo Credit: Marty Sohl / Metropolitan Opera) On Jan. 9, 2020, the Metropolitan Opera resumed this season’s run of Puccini’s “La Bohème.” Zeffirelli’s classically gorgeous production was enlivened by a solid cast of artists under the baton of conductor Marco Armiliato. For this revival, Gregory Keller directed the production which saw it’s performers through a myriad of comedic, animated interactions {…}
(Credit: Royal Opera House /Tristram Kenton) This review is for the performance on Jan. 10, 2020. Alongside with Richard Eyre’s classic production of “La Traviata,” Richard Jones’ “La bohème” is an important weapon in the Royal Opera’s commercial arsenal, and will therefore be making 16 appearances this year, with myriad casts and three conductors. This is its second revival since {…}
(Credit: Julian Hargreaves) The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden has announced that soprano Sonya Yoncheva has withdrawn from the Jan. 10, 2020 performance of “La Bohème” due to illness. In her stead, the company will showcase soprano Simona Mihai, who sang the role of Mimì back in 2017-18. Mihai is set to take on Musetta later in the run this {…}
(Credits: Patricia Varela) Young Norwegian soprano Elisabeth Teige has established herself as one of the most sought-after dramatic sopranos of her generation. She has appeared in the number of dramatic roles including Senta in “Der Fliegende Holländer,” Leonore in “Fidelio,” Cio-Cio-San in “Madama Butterfly,” Irene Wagner’s “Rienzi, der Letzte der Tribunen,” Elsa in “Lohengrin,” and the title character of Puccini’s {…}
Puccini is one of opera’s most iconic composers. Born on Dec. 22, 1858, he would go on to be well-regarded as a strong melodist and even more potent dramatist. The vast majority of his operas are a major part of the standard repertory, including “La Bohème,” “Tosca,” and “Turandot.” For this week’s quiz, we take a look at Puccini’s output. {…}
The Florida Grand Opera is set to open its 2020 slate with a production of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The famed opera will open on Jan. 18, 2020 in a gala performance that will celebrate the company’s 79th anniversary. The opera will be conducted by Ramón Tebar and directed by E. Loren Meeker. In the title role, audiences will get a {…}