May 1, 1786. That is the day that, for many, the greatest opera of all-time had its very first performance. “Le Nozze di Figaro” has held the stage ever since, performed by all the great interpreters all over the world. The work has also developed a healthy discography over the ages both on audio and visual media, making it impossible {…}
The Vienna State Opera has announced its 2019-20 season, which includes six new productions and a whopping 58 operas overall. There are also a plethora of concert performances as well featuring some of the greatest opera stars on the planet. New Productions The new season kicks off with a new production of Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Directed by Irina {…}
The Théâtre Champs-Élysée has announced its 2019-20 season featuring five opera productions, numerous concert performances, operas in concerts, a Beethoven celebration and a number of recitals. For this season announcement we have narrowed it down to only vocal or operatic performances. Here is a look at the massive season. Deborah Cohen directs a new production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” with {…}
The Philadelphia Orchestra has announced its 2019-20 season with Yannick Nézet-Séguin celebrating his eighth season as music director. Here is a look at the vocal highlights for the orchestra next season. Nézet-Séguin and the Fabulous Philadelphians launch the 120th season with an Opening Night Concert and Gala featuring legendary opera singer Plácido Domingo. The evening, which marks the start of Nézet-Séguin’s {…}
The Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg hosts Mozart Week annually on or around Mozart’s birthday (Jan. 27) in celebration of the composer’s contributions to the world of music. The lineup for Mozart Week 2020, which will be held Jan. 23 – Feb. 2, has been announced. For the purposes of this article, we will highlight vocal performances and anything else opera-related. The {…}
The Hamburg State Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring six new productions and a number of revivals. There is also a mix of contemporary repertoire with classic and repertory staples. Here is a look at what to expect. New Productions Elbenita Kajtazi, Renate Spingler, Hellen Kwon, Peter Galliard, Stefan Sevenich, Iwan Iwanowitsch, and Julian Arsenault star in a new production of Shostakovich’s “The {…}
Opera Magazine has revealed a number of role debuts and operas scheduled for upcoming seasons. According to the February 2019 edition, Sir Antonio Pappano will conduct a new production of “Samson et Dalila” at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 2022. The Magazine also revealed that Rolando Villazón will continue directing opera at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein and next season {…}
Rolando Villazón has canceled his upcoming performances of “Don Giovanni” at the Wiener Staatsoper. The tenor announced that due to his recent gastroenterological surgery, he was forced by doctors to continue to rest. The three performances were slated for March 10, 14, and 17 and he was also expected to perform at Salzburg’s Mozart week. As a result, Jinxu Xiahou will {…}
Rolando Villazón has canceled two upcoming appearances in Dortmund and Paris. The Konzarthaus Dortmund and Les Grand Voix series announced that due to a recent gastroenterological surgery, the tenor was forced to postpone the concerts. In a press release both concert houses announced that the concerts will be postponed for later dates. The Dortmund concert will now take place on April {…}
The holiday season is upon us and that means many great new offerings are coming out. This week will feature the realse of a solo album debut, a new DVD from the Metropolitan Opera, a lieder album, and a Christmas album. Here are our essential recordings to buy this week. A Te, O Cara Stephen Costello makes his solo album debut with “A {…}
Rolando Villazón is set to release his first Christmas album for Deutsche Grammophon “Feliz Navidad.” The new album will showcase the Mexican tenor performing famous Christmas classics in each of his five languages, including “White Christmas,” “O Tannenbaum,” “Tu scendi dalle stelle,” “Petit Papa Noël” and “Los peces en el río.” It also includes duets with German singer-songwriter Sasha and {…}
