The Detriot Symphony Orchestra’s “Turandot” has announced two cast changes for its June 2018 performances. First, Jader Bignamini will conduct the performance, stepping in for Leonard Slatkin, who was forced to withdraw from the final three programs of the season to undergo heart surgery. As a result, maestro Slatkin needs three months to fully recover and return to conducting. Additionally, Bass Morris {…}
PBS will showcase Puccini’s “Tosca” from the Metropolitan Opera as part of its Great Performances Series on Friday, June 15, 2018. The broadcast will kick off at 9 p.m. EDT and will showcase soprano Sonya Yoncheva as the tragic heroine. This was the first of Yoncheva’s big season, during which she appeared on three Live in HD broadcasts. Her “Bohème” {…}
Berlin features some of the most prominent opera companies in the business. But this week, a fifth company is taking the spotlight. The Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens Berlin, a famed restaurant with more than 50 craft and artisanal beers, is set to showcase Puccini’s “La Bohème” on May 31, June 1 and 2. The three-day event will be {…}
It’s a crowded weekend and thus a major challenge to select from the numerous options. The five here were our favorites, but by all means, head over to the other companies not listed here and check out the opera offerings they have. There were truly more than we could imagine. Here are our picks, in alphabetical order by company. Houston {…}
Premiering on April 25, 1926, Puccini’s final opera “Turandot” has always suffered a controversial legacy. The opera is a fixed repertory staple best-known for one particular piece of music. And yet, it would be hard to claim it the composer’s greatest work overall, as he died before its completion. Puccini famously struggled with writing its ending and upon his passing {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting 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 we will take a {…}
Tenor Andrea Carè is a man on the rise. Over the last few years, his star has risen with his interpretations of some of opera’s most potent tenor roles garnering high praise and interest. It all started for him in 2001 when he started his vocal studies at the Conservatorio “Giuseppe Verdi” in Turin. In 2005, he won the Teatro {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting 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 we will take a {…}
Arturo Toscanini is one of the greatest conductors in history. He championed a number of new operas during his time, leading dozens of world premieres. He was a favorite of Puccini, championed the operas of Catalani, and even impressed the young Verdi as a young musician. Throughout his career, he held a plethora of important posts, including music director of La Scala in {…}
Barcelona’s Grand Teatre del Liceu has announced its 2018-19 season, presenting a number of exciting, fully-staged or concert-style productions, as well as a number of recital performances. A full list of all works in the 2018-19 season can be found on Gran Teatre del Liseu’s website. The Ring Without Words Josep Pons will be conducting Lorin Maazel’s 90-minute arrangement of {…}
The Hungarian State Opera has announced its 2018-19 season which is slated to includes a whopping 60 repertoire pieces and 16 premieres. The company has stated that the main theme of the season is taking audiences to Puccini’s Italy. There are also a series of concerts with some of opera’s biggest stars. Let’s break it down. Premieres (in order of {…}