The Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona has announced that Rachel Willis-Sørensen will sing the role of Leonora in Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” replacing Anna Netrebko. The news comes a day after Netrebko was forced to withdraw from the Oct. 1 and 4 performances due to contracting COVID-19. Willis-Sørensen is currently performing “La Traviata” at the Opera de Bordeaux and is {…}
(Credit: Eric Bouloumié) After months of closure, the Opéra de Bordeaux opens its 2020-21 season with a modified production of Verdi’s beloved “La Traviata.” The masterpiece will get a starry cast including Rachel Willis-Sørensen, who makes her role debut as Violetta. Since her win at the Operalia competition in 2014, Willis-Sørensen has become well known for her lush sound and {…}
(Credit: © Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Classical) Cinema screenings of Jonas Kaufmann’s “My Vienna” have been rescheduled and will be taking place at selected European venues. Cinemas in the UK, Ireland and Finland will screen the event on September 1, which will be followed by screenings in Spain on September 20, 2020. Jonas Kaufmann’s “My Vienna” is a personal tribute {…}
The Opéra National de Bordeaux in France has announced its 2020-21 season featuring five operas and several recitals and concerts. Opera Paul Daniel conducts a new production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” by Pierre Rambert. Rachel Willis-Sørensen and Elbenita Kajtazi alternate the role of Violetta with Benjamin Bernheim and Kevin Amiel as Alfredo and Lionel Lhote and Anthony Clark-Evans as Germont. {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta/Deutsche Grammophon/Jiyang Chen) The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg has announce its 2020-21 season. As always we are highlighting the vocal performances of the season. Mikhail Petrenko and Behzod Abduraimov perform works by Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky. Performance Date: Sept. 16, 2020 Ottavio Dantone conducts Vivaldi’s “Il Tamerlano” with the Accademia Bizantina and Gesangssolisten. Performance Date: Sept. 29, 2020 Beethoven’s “Leonore” {…}
(Credit:Javier del Real/© Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Classical/ Bernard Martinez) The Théâtre des Champs-Elysées has announced its 2020-21 season featuring a vast array of programs and stars. Here are opera and vocal performance highlights of the season: Operas Handel’s Messiah is set to be directed by Robert Wilson with Marc Minkowski conducting. The cast includes Elena Tsallagova, Helena Rasker, Richard {…}
The Gewandhaus Leipzig has announced its 2020-21 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances that will featured throughout the season. Gotthold Schwarz conducts Bach’s Weihnachts-Oratorium with soloists Mojca Erdmann, Elvira Bill, Julian Prégardien, Martin Lattke, and Klaus Mertens. Performance Dates: Dec. 11-13, 2020 Andris Nelsons conducts Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with soloists Amanda Majeski, Mihoko Fujimura, Klaus Florian Vogt, {…}
The Deutshce Oper Berlin has announced its 2020-21 season featuring six new productions and a new Ring Cycle. Premieres The season kicks off with “The 7 Deaths of Maria Callas,” which will be directed by Marina Abramovic. Marina Abramovic, Nadezhda Karyazina, Whitney Morrison, Leah Hawkins, Adela Zaharia, Selene Zanetti, Gabriella Reyes, and Mané Galoyan will lead the cast. Performance Dates: {…}
Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced cast changes for its upcoming performances of J. Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus.” The company announced that soprano Hulkar Sabirova will replace Rachel Willis-Sørensen in the role of Rosalinde for performances on Dec. 25 and Dec. 31 at 2 P.M. Meanwhile, soprano Jacquelyn Wagner will takeover the Dec. 31 performance at 7: 30 P.M. replacing Willis-Sørensen. Sabirova {…}
Tanglewood has announced its 2020 slate, which is, as per usual, filled with some of the most recognized artists on the planet. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on opera related programming. Angel Blue will make her company debut in the Opening Night at Tanglewood concert alongside the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the musical direction of Ken-David {…}
The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2020 season celebrating its 100th anniversary with a number of operatic productions from many repertory staples and numerous rarely performed gems. Here is a look at the operatic works to be performed. Opera Franz Welser-Möst is set to conduct a new production of R. Strauss’ “Elektra” with Krzysztof Warlikowski. Aušrine Stundyte sings the title {…}