Metropolitan Opera 2017-18 Review – La Bohème: Michael Fabiano In Top Form Alongside Splendid Sonya Yoncheva, Susanna Phillips, Lucas Meachem & Others

Puccini’s “La Bohème” made a return to the Metropolitan Opera on Friday, February 16, 2018, with a cast that is slated for an HD performance a week from today. On the evidence of this opening night performance, that transmission the world over should be quite special. Zeffirelli’s production needs no introduction (though if you want some commentary, check out these {…}

Feb 17, 2018

Opera Profile: Puccini’s ‘Madama Butterfly’

Making its premiere on February 17, 1904, “Madama Butterfly” is one of the most prominent works not only to come from composer Giacomo Puccini, but in the operatic canon as well. Despite this, its initial premiere at Milan’s Teatro all Scala was received unfavorably by critics and audiences. This is attributed to lack of time to rehearse the work, given {…}

Feb 14, 2018

Metropolitan Opera 2017-18 Preview: How Many Times Have the Stars of ‘La Bohème’ Taken On Their Roles At the Met?

On Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, the Met Opera revives Puccini’s “La Bohème” with a star-studded cast. Every single one of the major artists to take on the opera is a veteran in the part at the Met. So here is a look at their Met trajectory in their respective roles to date. Sonya Yoncheva – Mimì The Bulgarian soprano’s second-ever {…}

Feb 10, 2018

Opera Quiz: Which Love Duet Is Perfect For Your Romantic Night?

Opera is rife with sweeping love duets. Some are of passionate bliss while others of a more mature variety. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, we turn to a handful of opera’s greatest declarations of love between two lovers from the classical repertoire. Continue to find out which of the selected love duets suits your romantic evening (and don’t worry, the {…}

Feb 8, 2018

Opera Meets Film: Harvey Milk As a 20th Century ‘Tosca’

“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 takes a look at {…}

Feb 1, 2018

Opera Profile: Puccini’s Ever-Popular ‘La Bohème’

Everyone knows “La Bohème,” even people that know nothing about opera. Arguably the most famous opera of all time, next to Bizet’s “Carmen,” Puccini’s masterwork is renowned for its celebrated melodies and unforgettable characters. The opera had its world premiere on Feb. 1, 1896, with Arturo Toscanini in the pit. Legend has it that Puccini opted to write the opera {…}

Feb 1, 2018

Opera Profile: Puccini’s ‘Manon Lescaut’

Three years before he premiered “La Bohème,” Puccini gave the world “Manon Lescaut.” The opera, based on the novel by Abbé Prévost, premiered on Feb. 1, 1893, and put Puccini in the public eye as a serious opera composer. The work differs quite greatly from the “Manon” of Massenet, the Tuscan maestro himself comparing his interest in the subject matter {…}

Jan 17, 2018

Royal Opera House 2017-18 Review – Tosca: Pieczonka, Calleja, Finley Don’t Quite Mesh in Revival of Jonathan Kent’s Classic Produciton

There are instances in which it’s difficult for opera-lovers to remember “Tosca” is no comedy. From that perspective it is easy to recall the legend of a certain prima donna who once bounced back from the trampoline that was supposed to break her fall as Tosca killed herself. Floria Tosca is not one of opera’s most pitiable characters. She is {…}

Jan 14, 2018

Opera Profile: Puccini’s Tosca

First premiering on January 14, 1900 at Rome’s Teatro Costanzi, “Tosca” is one of opera’s most popular works. Adapted from Victorien Sardou’s play, “La Tosca,” by Giacomo Puccini and librettist Luigi Illica, the opera has seen countless productions worldwide since its premiere. Sardou himself expressed displeasure for his most cherished work being handled by a composer whom he did not {…}

Jan 14, 2018

Opera Quiz: How Well Do You Know the 19th Century Italian Librettists?

We all know about Verdi, Donizetti, Rossini, Bellini, Puccini, Giordano, and the great Italian composers of the 19th century. We often attribute opera’s greatest gems to them, remembering every gorgeous melody and the potent emotions that they create for us. But they don’t deserve all the credit. In fact, without the text, most of these composers don’t write their music. {…}

Jan 13, 2018

Metropolitan Opera 2017-18 Review -Tosca: Jennifer Rowley Triumphs in Glimmering Production

This review is for the performance on Friday, January 12th, 2018. In keeping with the spirit of verismo, Metropolitan Opera’s production of “Tosca” offered one of the most realistic portrayals of Puccini’s celebrated work. The set may as well have been a window to another time thanks to the care taken by the creative team headed by John Macfarlane. As {…}