On Thursday Dec. 14, 2017, Franz Lehár’s “The Merry Widow” makes a return to the Metropolitan Opera. To this date, the company has given just 40 performances of the operetta, its first ever coming as recently as Feb. 17, 2000. This season, Susan Graham will take up the mantle of the title role, making her the foremost interpreter of the {…}
For decades Renée Fleming has been a shining star on the world’s great opera stages, none more so than the Metropolitan Opera. From her victory at the National Council Auditions in 1988 to her debut three years later to her final performance at the tail end of the 2016-17 season, Fleming was the Met’s diva. While her future as an opera star remains a {…}
It’s the holiday season and that means gift buying and making difficult choices. As a result, OperaWire has lightened the task as we chose albums from some of our favorite artists and our key recommendations from the hundreds of releases from 2017. Maria Callas If you are going to spend money this year, Maria Callas: The Live Recordings is OperaWire’s {…}
Renée Fleming has revealed she will be featured in the soundtrack to Guillermo del Toro’s latest film “The Shape of Water.” The soprano revealed a piece of the song she will be performing on Instagram and for the sound of the song, it seems Fleming has once again shifted her technique to fit the jazz style. It also marks the latest {…}
With the holiday season approaching, this will be filled with numerous DVDs and CDs to choose from. Many of opera’s top star in the releases including Sonya Yoncheva, Rolando Villazón and Renée Fleming. Norma Bel Canto fans will be treated to a new Norma from the Royal Opera House with a stellar cast. Sonya Yoncheva stars in the Mount Everest {…}
This Saturday afternoon, Ailyn Pérez becomes just the sixth soprano in Metropolitan Opera history to take on the role of Massenet’s “Thaïs.” The opera doesn’t have a particularly massive history, sung just 73 times with the company in 100 years, the first performance coming all the way back in February 1917. Here is a look at all the other major {…}
One of the world’s most loved sopranos took to Carnegie Hall again in a program equal in traditional and contemporary repertoire on Oct. 23, alongside pianist Inon Barnatan. Warming up, in a dress resembling tarnished, silver, chainmail by Vivienne Westwood, the first selections featured seven lieder by Brahms. It was not Fleming’s best moment as vocally it was unsteady and {…}
The Metropolitan Opera Guild will hold a luncheon to honor superstar soprano Renée Fleming on Dec. 7, 2017. The event will feature a massive list of superstars in attendance, including Martina Arroyo, Jamie Barton, Harry Bicket, Harolyn Blackwell, Stephanie Blythe, Wolfgang Brendel, Joseph Calleja, Kristin Chenoweth, Glenn Close, Philip Cokorinos, James Conlon, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Dwayne Croft, Loretta Di Franco, Rosalind Elias, {…}
Decca Classics has announced “Der Rosenkavalier” from the Metropolitan Opera. The historical performance features Renée Fleming’s farewell to her signature role as the Marschallin and Elīna Garanča’s final performance in a pants role. The cast also includes Gunther Groissböck and Erin Morley in Robert Carsen’s new prosuction. Regarding Fleming’s performance, OperaWire noted, “Her overall interpretation of the character was to depict the Marschallin {…}
Renée Fleming’s hotly anticipated return to Broadway starts this February in “Carousel.” Per Playbill, the first performances of the show will take place on Feb. 28, 2018, at the Imperial Theater. Opening Night is set for April 12. “Carousel” is set to star the superstar as Nettie Fowler and she will be joined by the likes of Jessie Mueller, Joshua {…}
PBS’ “Great Performances” series for 2017 comes to an end this summer with a performance of the Metropolitan Opera’s “Der Rosenkavalier” starring Renée Fleming, and Elina Garanca. The showcase will be on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 12:30 p.m. EDT. The performance was recorded on the final day of the 2016-17 season and was Fleming’s final performance as the Marschallin at {…}