Asmik Grigorian, Sonya Yoncheva, Judit Kutasi, Maximilian Schmitt, & Soloman Howard Star in George Enescu International Festival 2025

(Photo credits: Vedinaș, Behrmann, & Adjahoe) The George Enescu International Festival 2025 announces its star-studded lineup. This article only features vocal works. The opening concert features the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. Iosef Ion Prunner and Cristian Măcelaru conduct. Performance Date: August 24, 2025 Soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen performs with the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra under the direction of Keri-lynn Wilson. {…}

Feb 26, 2025

Ramona Zaharia Joins TACT for Management

Mezzo-soprano Ramona Zaharia has joined the roster of TACT for general management. Zaharia recently performed “Carmen” at the Royal Opera House, Opéra de Nice, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and Prague National Theatre, as well as Magdalena in “Rigoletto” at the Royal Opera House and Teatro Real de Madrid. Her repertoire also includes Eboli in “Don Carlos,” Fenena in “Nabucco,” Amneris {…}

May 16, 2024

Royal Opera House Announces Cast Changes for ‘Carmen’

The Royal Opera House has announced cast changes for its production of Bizet’s “Carmen” on May 17, 20, and 23. The company noted that Ramona Zaharia will replace Vasilisa Berzhanskaya in the title role while Adam Smith will replace Brandon Jovanovich in the role of Don Jose. Zaharia has performed the title role of Carmen at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein {…}

May 2, 2024

Sarah Aristidou, Joel Prieto, Sidney Mancasola & Ramona Zaharia Headline Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur’s 2024-25 Season

The Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. OPÉRA The season opens with “Festival Hip Hop’Era.” Performance Date: Sept. 7, 2024 Hélène Guilmette, Valentine Lemercier, Enguerrand de Hys, Philippe-Nicolas Martin, Matthieu Lécroart, Floriane Derthe, Antoine Foulon, Geoffrey Carey, and Matthieu Walendzik star in Charles Lecoq’s “La Fille de Madame Angot.” {…}

Apr 30, 2024

Marigona Qerkezi, Adela Zaharia, Ramona Zaharia, Konu Kim, Liana Aleksanyan, Alasdair Kent & Scott Hendricks Lead Deutsche Oper am Rhein’s 2024-25 Season

The Deutsche Oper am Rhein has announced its 2024-25 season. Premieres Verdi’s “Nabucco” will be directed by Ilaria Lanzino. Vitali Alekseenok and Katharina Müllner conduct a cast that includes Alexey Zelenkov, Eduardo Aladrén, Jussi Myllys, Liang Li, Svetlana Kasyan, and Marigona Qerkezi. Performance Dates: Sept. 15-Dec. 25, 2024 Christoph Stöcker and Katharina Müllner conduct Jerry Bock, Joseph Stein, and Sheldon Harnick’s {…}

Dec 18, 2023

Teatro Real 2023-24 Review: Rigoletto (Cast B)

The Teatro Real de Madrid continued its run of “Rigoletto” with a second cast under the musical direction of Nicola Luisotti. Since our earlier review of the first cast already explores the production itself, we will jump right into an analysis of the vocal performances. Étienne Dupuis was a lyrical Rigoletto, but far too lyrical. His warm and effortless timbre {…}

Nov 7, 2023

Royal Opera House 2023-24 Review: Rigoletto

(©Tristram Kenton) The Royal Opera presented at their Covent Garden Theatre a revival of their new production of “Rigoletto” by the stage director, and artistic director of the Royal Opera, Oliver Mears. Oliver Mears’ production is austere and minimalistic. The first two acts have a back golden wall, with big paintings hanging on the palace’s scenes, and Gilda’s room for {…}

May 11, 2023

Adela Zaharia, Michael Weinius, Maria Kataeva & Michael Volle Lead Deutsche Oper Am Rhein’s 2023-24 Season

The Deutsche Oper am Rhein has announced its 2023-24 season. Premieres The first new production of the season will be Wagner’s “Parsifal” with Daniel Frank and Michael Weinius sharing the title role. They are joined by Bogdan Baciu, Luke Stoker, Hans-Peter König, Joachim Goltz, and Sarah Ferede. Axel Kober conducts the production by Michael Thalheimer. Performance Dates: Sept. 17, 2023-April 7, {…}

Jul 14, 2022

Sarasota Opera Announces 2022 Summer Movie Series

Editorial Note: There have been a few updates made to the schedule. They are indicated in the article as updates. The remainder of the article remains as originally published on April 27, 2022. Sarasota Opera is set to present a summer movies series starting on May 22, 2022. The company will kick the series off with the Royal Opera House’s {…}

Jan 17, 2022

Martina Belli & Ramona Zaharia Lead Teatro Regio di Parma’s ‘Carmen’

The Teatro Regio di Parma has unveiled a new production of Bizet’s “Carmen” for the first time in 19 years. The opera, which opened on Jan. 12, is directed by Silvia Paoli and conducted by Jordi Bernàcer. The company is showcasing two casts led by Martina Belli and Ramona Zaharia sharing the title role. They will be joined by Arturo {…}

Dec 5, 2021

Gregory Kunde, Ramona Zaharia & Ruzil Gatin Lead Fondazione I Teatri di Reggio Emilia’s 2022 Season

The Fondazione I Teatri di Reggio Emilia has announced its 2022 season featuring four productions. The season opens with Bizet’s “Carmen” starring Martina Belli and Ramona Zaharia in the title role; Arturo Chacon-Cruz and Azer Zada as Don Jose; Marco Caria and Alessandro Luongo as Escamillo; Laura Giordano and Veronica Marini as Michaela. Jordi Bernacer conducts the production by Silvia {…}