Anastasia Bartoli, Günther Groissböck, Carlo Vistoli Max Emanuel Cencic, Ambur Braid, Vera-Lotte Boecker & Julia Lezhneva Lead Theater an der Wien’s 2026-27 Season

The Theater an der Wien has announced its 2026-27 season. Christina Pluhar conducts Cavalli’s “La Calisto” with Stefan Herheim directing. Vera-Lotte Boecker, Milan Siljanov, Luciana Mancini, Arnaud Gluck, Giuseppina Bridelli, Marcel Beekman, Renato Dolcini, Jake Arditti, Juan Sancho, and João Fernandes star. Performance Dates: Sept. 6-28, 2026 Luciana Mancini, Eszter Vörös, and Éva Gárdos perform Corazon Abierto featuring Tangos. Performance Date: {…}

Dec 29, 2024

Opéra-Comique Paris 2024-25 Review: Les Fêtes d’Hébé

(Photo: Vincent Pontet) If I were to rank the weakest opera libretti of all time, Jean-Philippe Rameau and Antoine-César Gautier de Montdorge’s “Les Fêtes d’Hébé ou Les Talents Lyriques” would certainly be in the top tier. Nevertheless, the opera-ballet possesses an allegorical charm that transcends the quality of its text—and it is a charm that is not solely musical. After {…}

Jul 20, 2024

Roberta Mameli Headlines Festival Weeks at Drottningholm

(Photo credit: Frantisek Renza) Festival Weeks at Drottningholm has announced its line up for 2024. Allyson McHardy takes on the title role in the Drottningholm premiere of Jean-Baptiste Lully’s“Armide.” She is joined by Nicholas Scott, Nicolas Brooymans, Marie Lys, Renato Dolcini, Zachary Wilder, Deborah Cachet, and Arash Azarbad, along with the choir and orchestra of Drottningholm Theater. Francesco Corti conducts and {…}

Jun 24, 2024

Teatro La Fenice 2023 – 24 Review: Bajazet

(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 {…}

Dec 14, 2023

Opernhaus Zürich 2023-24 Review: Platée

The Opernhaus Zürich presents a new production of a French Baroque masterpiece: “Platée,” a ballet-bouffon composed by Jean-Philippe Rameau in 1745. The premiere took place in Versailles as part of the festivities for the wedding of Louis XV with María Teresa Rafaela of Spain. The libretto, by Adrien-Joseph Le Valois d’Orville, draws inspiration from Greek mythology. It narrates the tale {…}

Mar 28, 2023

Opéra Royal de Versailles 2022-23 Review: Dido and Aeneas

Photo: Pablo Lorente Opéra Royal de Versailles’ “Dido and Aeneas” has, on paper, great musicians, a good stage director, good dancers, and even William Christie. But that was not enough to prevent leaving the theater frustrated. The principal point of frustration came from how poorly conceived the production itself was. This failure is exclusive to good and well-intentioned artists—those from {…}

Sep 16, 2022

Jonas Kaufmann, Maria Agresta, Cecilia Bartoli & Javier Camarena Lead Opera Monte Carlo’s 2023 Season

Opera Monte Carlo has announced its 2023 season featuring many of the greatest artists of our time. Cecilia Bartoli stars in Handel’s “Alcina” with Philippe Jarroussky, Sandrine Piau, Varduhi Abrahamyan, Maxim Mironov, and Peter Kalman. Gianluca Capuano conducts the production by Christof Loy. Performance Dates: Jan. 20-26, 2023 Gianluca Capuano conducts Rossini’s “Stabat Mater” with Maria Agresta, Varduhi Abrahamyan, Celso {…}

Jun 17, 2021

Valentina Nafornița, Gaëlle Arquez & Franco Fagioli Headline Opéra Royal de Versailles’ 2021-22 Season

(Credit: EPV / Christian Millet) Opéra Royal de Versailles has announced its 2021-22 season, featuring number of rarely performed operas and vocal works. Here is the full slate. Opera André Grétry’s opera “Richard Cœur de Lion” features Rémy Mathieu as Blondel and Pierre Derhet in the title role. The cast will be rounded out by Melody Louledjian, Marie Perbost Antonio, {…}

May 23, 2021

Joyce DiDonato, Jonas Kaufmann, Diana Damrau, Lise Davidsen & Sonya Yoncheva Lead Palau de la Música Catalana’s 2021-22 Season

The Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona has announced a star-studded 2021-22 season with some of the world’s greatest orchestras, soloists, and choruses. Here is a look at the vocal and choral performances. The Cor Lieder Càmera and Josep Vila i Casañasperformworksby Bach, Brahms, Duruflé, Gasull, Morera, Ollé, Vila i Casañas, and Vaughan-Williams. Performance Date: Sept. 19, 2021 Joyce {…}

Jan 18, 2021

Lawrence Brownlee, Ryan Speedo Green, Olga Borodina, Nicole Heaston, Johnathan McCullough Headline Top 10 Operas to Stream This Week

It turns out that despite some progress, we are in for a sustained lockdown period to start 2021. But what we are also seeing from opera companies is greater flexibility and creativity on the streaming front. That is on full display in this week’s edition of our top 10 operas to stream with a bevy of new short opera films, {…}

Jan 13, 2021

Opéra Comique To Stream ‘Titon et l’Aurore’

(Credit: © Axelle Paysant-Le Roux) The Opéra Comique has announced that it will stream a production of Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville’s opera “Titon et l’Aurore.” The opera was scheduled for five presentations from Jan. 18 – Jan. 27, 2021, but had to be canceled due to the French government’s COVID-19 regulations. The opera will star Reinoud Van Mechelen, Gwendoline Blondeel, {…}