“How is he? How is his voice?” “How was it?” “Do you still like him singing?” I keep hearing these questions from everyone, every single day since I attended Rolando Villazón’s concert in Paris last week. The health issues that have plagued Rolando Villazón and his voice are very well-known around the world and they have been publicized throughout. And {…}
The Deutsche Oper Am Rhein has announced its new season featuring 29 productions including 10 new productions, and a full Ring Cycle. New Productions Two casts highlight Gound’s “Roméo et Juliette” in a new production by Philipp Westerbarkei. Luiza Fatyol and Sylvia Hamvasi share the role of Juliette, while Ovidiu Purcel and Gustavo de Gennaro alternate as Roméo. David Crescenzi and Marie Jacquot conduct. Performance Dates: {…}
Philharmonie Luxembourg has announced its 15th anniversary season. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on vocal performances. The 2019-20 season will kick off with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra. Soprano Rebecca Nelsen will be featured vocally. The program will include Berg’s “Lulu” Suite and Mahler’s Symphony No. 9. Performance Date: Oct. 3, 2019 William Christie will lead {…}
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 {…}