(Photo: Gianpaolo Parodi) In 1708 Händel wrote “Aci, Galatea and Polifemo,” a serenata for three voices, as part of the celebrations to mark the marriage of Beatrice Tocco di Montemiletto and Duke D’Alvito Tolomeo III. Its narrative, taken from Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” relates how the love between the shepherd Aci and the nymph Galatea enrages the cyclops Polifemo, who in a {…}
This week audiences are in for a treat with numerous new releases of world premieres, full operas, solo albums, and classic productions. Here is a look at this week’s new releases. Il Pirata Prima Classic releases Bellini’s rarely performed work with Javier Camarena, Marina Rebeka, and Franco Vassallo performing the leading roles. The album was recorded at Bellini’s homeland, Catania, {…}
(Credit: © Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Classical/Michael Cooper/Dario Acosta) Rome’s Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia has announced its 2021-22 season featuring concert performances with some of the greatest stars in the world. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on vocal performances only. Concerts Jakub Hrůša conducts Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with Rachel Willis-Sørensen and Wiebke Lehmkuhl. Performance {…}
This week sees the release of world premieres, rarely performed gems, solo albums and two complete operas. Here is a look at what audiences can listen to during Memorial Day Weekend. Brabant 1653: Baroque Vocal Music from Brabant Holland Baroque releases an album that explores the monastic musical traditions of 17th-century North Brabant. The album’s central figure is Benedictus à {…}
The Festival Valle d’Itria in Martina Franca, Italy has announced its 47 edition with the theme “Fiat lux.” The festival which will be held between July 17 and August 5 will feature international stars from around the world. Operas Haydn’s “The Creation” will be conducted by Fabio Luisi and will feature Vassily Solodkyy, Alessio Arduini, Jan Antem, and Sabrina Sanza. Fabio {…}
There’s no doubt that it hasn’t been an easy week in the opera world. With COVID-19 continuing to spread across the world at alarming rates, companies across Europe have entered a second lockdown, ending what many hoped would be a continuation of performances throughout the 2020-21 season. But it has not quite worked out that way. As such, online broadcasts {…}
The Fondazione Teatri Piacenza has announced its 2020 fall season. For the purposes of this article, we will only focus on the vocal and operatic performances. The season opens with Handel’s “Aci, Galatea e Polifemo” with Raffaele Pe, Giuseppina Bridelli, and Andrea Mastroni. La lira di Orfeo accompanies with Gian Maria Aliverta directing the production. Performance Date: Oct. 31, 2020 {…}
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced its 2020-21 season featuring concerts, opera productions, and a star-studded summer festival. For this article, we will only focus on the Italian theater’s operatic and vocal concerts. Season Federico Maria Sardelli conducts a new production of Handel’s “Rinaldo” with Pierluigi Pizzi directing. The cast includes Raffaele Pe in the title role, Leonardo Cortellazzi, Carmela {…}
The Opéra national du Rhin has announced its 2020-21 season. The company, in Strasbourg, France, is set to include a number of new productions and recitals. Here is a look: Opera “Solveig,” a symphonic Passion based on the music of Edvard Grieg and with a libretto by Karl Ove Knausgård gets a new production by Calixto Bieto. Mari Eriksmoen stars in {…}
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, {…}
The Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires has announced its 2020 season, which will feature eight productions and a number of concerts and chamber works. Here is a look at the operas that will be presented. Main Stage The season opens with Verdi’s “Nabucco” starring Sebastián Catana and Leonardo López Linares in the title role, Rebeka Lokar and Mónica Ferracani sharing {…}