Irish National Opera 2023-24 Review: L’Olimpiade

(Photo: Ros Kavanagh) Intricate and convoluted plots are not exactly rare in operas of the 17th and 18th centuries. Usually revolving around mistaken identities, complex love triangles, misunderstandings and deliberate deceptions that precipitate extreme emotions, their narratives career forward, plunging the protagonists into life-threatening and life-changing situations in which the gods, heroes and mythical characters often play their part. Vivaldi’s {…}

Q & A: Soprano Rachel Redmond on Her Forthcoming Role as Aminta in Vivaldi’s ‘L’Olimpiade’

(Photo: Christopher Wallace) In 2021, OperaWire reviewed a splendid concert presentation of Handel’s “Ariodante” at the Göttingen Handel Festival. With a strong cast, which included star names such as Marie Lys and Emily Fons. Quality performances were certainly expected, and they did not disappoint. However, it was soprano Rachel Redmond, whom I had previously never heard sing, in the role {…}

Patricia Petibon, Pretty Yende, Sir Simon Keenlyside & Adèle Charvet Lead Théâtres de Compiègne’s 2021-22 Season

(Credits: Bernard Martinez / © Gregor Hohenberg / Uwe Arens / Adèle Charvet official website) Théâtres de Compiègne have announced the 2021-22 season. Here is the full rundown. Chœur de La Tempête performs “Les Vêpres” by Rachmaninoff alongside conductor Simon-Pierre Bestion. Performance date: Sep. 11, 2021 Mezzo-soprano Adèle Charvet performs works by Debussy, Aubert, Ravel, Delage and Duparc alongside pianist {…}

Franco Fagioli, Chiara Skerath, Lawrence Zazzo & Delphine Galou Highlight Festival de Beaune 2021

(Credits: © Julian Laidig / © Capucine de Chocqueuse / Justin Hyer / Giulia Papetti) The Festival international d’Opéra Baroque & Romantique Beaune has announced its 2021 program, consisting of seven operas and oratorios, and four recitals. The festival will take place from July 9 until July 31, 2021. Operas & Oratorios Mozart‘s rarely performed operatic masterwork “Lucio Silla” will {…}

Danielle De Niese, Sarah Connolly, Allan Clayton, Barbara Hannigan Headline Glyndebourne’s Open House in August 2020

Glyndebourne has announced the latest operas that it will be streaming as part of its Open House program. First up will be David McVicar’s production of “Giulio Cesare” starring Danielle de Niese as Cleopatra and Sarah Connolly as Cesare. Other cast members include Alexander Ashworth, Patricia Bardon, Angelika Kirchschlager, Rachid Ben Abdeslam, Christophe Dumaux, and Christopher Maltman. William Christie conducts. Streaming {…}

Bejun Mehta, Julia Lezhneva & Lawrence Zazzo Highlight Internationale Händel Festspiele Göttingen 2020

The Händel International Festival in Göttingen will open its doors on May 20 and it is set to run through June 1. Here is a look at what is on offer. “Rodelinda” HWV 19 will feature Christina Gansch, Christopher Lowrey, Thomas Cooley, Franziska Gottwald, William Berger, and Owen Willetts, with Laurence Cummings conducting. Performance Dates: May 20, 22, 23, 26, 31, June 1, {…}