Camile Saint-Saëns’ “Samson et Dalila” is not among the most popular operas in the standard repertoire. In fact, at the Met, it has been performed a total of 226 times since is Met premiere back on Feb. 8, 1895. And yet the opera has garnered three opening nights to date, a number that will increase by one on Sept. 24, {…}
Roberto Alagna is set to star in the double bill of “Pagliacci” and “Cavalleria Rusticana” at the Gran Theatre del Liceu in 2019. Sony Classical announced the news with the tenor’s upcoming album “Puccini in Love.” The press release also noted that Aleksandra Kurzak will star in the double bill and the dates are slated for Dec. 5, 9, 13 {…}
Sony Classical has announced the release of Roberto Alagna and Aleksandra Kurzak’s first album for the company. The album, entitled “Puccini in Love,” features the real life couple in duets from the famed composer. The album marks the first album in a long-term contract that both artists signed with Sony. Alagna first signed a deal with the company in January. {…}
Piotr Beczala will replace Roberto Alagna at the Bayreuth Festival. According to BR-Klassik, Beczala accepted the assignment on a short notice and was forced to cancel his recital in Granada to be at rehearsals of the new production by Yuval Sharon. Beczala sang the title character of Lohengrin for the first in 2016 alongside Anna Netrebko in an acclaimed production, which {…}
Roberto Alagna has withdrawn from Wagner’s “Lohengrin” at the Bayreuth Festival. The festival announced that the tenor, who was set to make his festival debut and sing his first Wagner role, withdrew due to overload. The statement also noted that Alagna was unable to spend enough time with the role. The festival has yet to announce a replacement, but the {…}
Tenor Roberto Alagna, born on June 7, 1963, is one of the world’s most famous tenors, renowned not only for his passionate singing but also his incredible dramatic ability on stage. Few tenors can immerse themselves in a character quite like the French-born tenor can. Alagna was born in France to Sicilian immigrants and spent his youth singing pop in {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its Live in HD Summer Encores series. The Met will rebroadcast four popular operas including Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” starring Roberto Alagna and Kristine Opolais from 2016, followed by Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” starring Anna Netrebko, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Dolora Zajick, and Yonghoon Lee from 2015. The series will then feature Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” with Renée Fleming, Hvorostovsky, {…}
Taking the biblical element out of “Samson et Dalila” makes about as much sense as setting “Madama Butterfly” in Botswana. Typical of many opera directors trained in the theater, Alexandra Liedtke seems to have limited understanding of Saint-Saëns’ music and even less about Lemaire’s libretto. As is often the case when a regisseur feels their genius may be unappreciated, Liedtke chose {…}
On the eve of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Red Square will host an operatic concert featuring some of the world’s greatest singers. Valery Gergiev will conduct the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra in a gala featuring Anna Netrebko, Yusif Eyvazov, Ildar Abdrazakov, Aida Garifullina and pianist Denis Matsuyev. They will also be joined by Roberto Alagna as a special guest and Albina Shagimurtova. {…}
Before the Met showcases Elina Garanca and Roberto Alagna in “Samson et Dalila” this fall, audiences around the world will get to hear the duo live from the Vienna State Opera as part of its live stream series as the showcase on Friday, May 18, 2018, will be presented globally online. The production will be conducted by Marco Armiliato and {…}
It’s a weekend of firsts with two major stars making major role debuts, while two other major stars headline an important world premiere. But it is also a weekend of endings as one of the greatest opera legends says goodbye to staged opera. Here is a look at what will definitely an incredibly unforgettable weekend. L’Italiana in Algeri-Teatro Colón, Argentina {…}