Welcome back as we explore the latest CD and DVD releases from around the opera world. This week, audiences are in for a world premiere recording from one of the great mezzos, a Strauss album from a rising star soprano, a contemporary album of rediscovered works, and a lot of baroque music. Here is a look at some of the {…}
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced its 2026 season. Michele Gamba conducts Massimo Popolizio’s production of Puccini’s “Tosca.” Chiara Isotton and Marta Mari sing the title role alongside Vincenzo Costanzo and Bror Magnus Tødenes as Cavaradossi and Alexey Markov and Claudio Sgura as Scarpia. Opening Date: Jan. 11, 2026 Robert Carsen directs “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” with Riccardo Frizza conducting. Corinne Winters, Brian {…}
(Ph. Nicola Allegri) The Theater an der Wien is set to present Gasparini’s “Ambleto.“ The baroque masterpiece, which is the very first opera in music history to tell the story of the Danish prince Hamlet, will be staged from May 6 to 17, 2025. The opera will star countertenor Raffaele Pe in the title role, Miklós Sebestyén as Claudius, Ana {…}
(Photo: Michele Crosera) Although the Sicilian composer Alessandro Scarlatti (1660–1725) is famed for his prolific output of operas–he claimed to have written well over 100–which were significant in laying the foundations for the development of 18th century opera seria, he rarely strayed into the field of comic opera. The single major exception was his 1718 work, “Il trionfo dell’onore,” written {…}
(Photo: ©Zani-Casadio) In the autumn of 1709, as he was preparing to conclude his journey through Italy, George Frideric Handel triumphantly arrived in Venice to present his second Italian opera, “Agrippina.” The work was enthusiastically received by the audience, who acclaimed the composer with shouts of “Viva il Sassone!” (Long live the Saxon!) and with 27 performances that sealed its {…}
(Photo: Zani-Casdio) It was well after midnight when the final curtain fell on Teatro Alighieri’s production of Händel’s “Giulio Cesare.” It was a long evening, although, such was the quality of the presentation, there would have been few complaints even if it had continued for another hour or more. It was one of those performances in which the singing, the {…}
The Teatro Alighieri in Ravenna has announced its 2025 season featuring three opera productions. The season opens with Händel’s “Giulio Cesare“ conducted by Ottavio Dantone and directed by Chiara Muti. Raffaele Pe, Marie Lys, Delphine Galou, Filippo Mineccia, Federico Fiorio, Andrea Gavagnin, Clemente Antonio Daliotti, and Davide Giangregorio. Performance Dates: Jan. 17 & 19, 2025 Gaspare Spontini’s “La Vestale” will be conducted {…}
(Ph. Nicola Allegri) Countertenor and conductor Raffaele Pe will be taking his La Lira di Orfeo to three major halls this fall. The first stop on the all-Vivaldi concert tour is Wigmore Hall in London where the countertenor and the ensemble presented “#solomonteverdi.” The showcase is set for Oct. 23, 2024. From there, the ensemble heads to the Teatro Auditorium {…}
(Credit: Teatro del Giglio) The Teatro del Giglio in Lucca, Italy has announced its 2024-25 season. The season opens with Puccini’s “Tosca” with Massimo Cavalletti, Clarissa Costanzo, and Azer Zada. Henry Kennedy conducts the production by Luca Orsini. Performance Dates: Nov. 29 & Dec. 1, 2024 Giordano’s “Andrea Chénier” will be directed by Andrea Cigni and will star Michael Spadaccini, Maria {…}
(Photo: Michele Crosera) Having laughed, smiled and clapped its way through the opening night of Teatro La Fenice’s production of Vivaldi’s “Bajazet,” the audience greeted the artists at the final curtain with warm applause. However, it was not a reaction shared by everyone; the final notes had barely been played before some members of the audience were beating their way {…}
The Teatri di Reggio Emilia has announced its 2024-25 season. The season opens with Rossini’s “Mosé in Egitto,” which will star Riccardo Zanellato, Dave Monaco, Mariam Battistelli, Toni Nezic, Aida Pascu, Angela Schisano, Andrea Galli, and Matteo Mezzaro. Giovanni Di Stefano conducts the production by Pier Francesco Maestrini. Performance Dates: Nov. 15 & 17, 2024 Annalisa Stroppa, Caterina Sala, Matteo Falcier, Matteo Guerzè, {…}