(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 {…}
(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 {…}
(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 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 {…}
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 {…}
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 {…}
(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, {…}
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 {…}
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, {…}
(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, {…}
(Credits: Todd Rosenberg / © Marco Borrelli / OnP / Sarah Bousasse) L’Opéra Comique in Paris has announced its 2021 season. Here is the full slate. Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville’s “Titon et l’Aurore” will feature Reinoud Van Mechelen, Gwendoline Blondeel, Julie Roset, Emmanuelle de Negri, Marc Mauillon, and Renato Dolcini. William Christie will conduct the production by Basil Twist. The performances {…}