(Credit: Clive Barda) As marriages go, this wasn’t one made in heaven. But despite an uneven performance, it ultimately won the audience over and did have moments of striking musical beauty. As the opening night for the 2024-25 season at Covent Garden, the revival of David McVicar’s “Le nozze di Figaro” did predictably well, and filled the house on a {…}
With 2024-25 just a month away, OperaWire is breaking down 10 opera productions that are must-sees for all opera lovers from around the world for the fall season. Aindamar – Metropolitan Opera (Oct. 15 – Nov. 9, 2024) For the second year in a row (and the first time in its history that this happens), the Metropolitan Opera will present {…}
(Photo credit: © Marc Brenner/Royal Opera) N.B. In this performance of “Tosca” Russell Thomas replaced the previously scheduled Yusif Eyvazov, who was indisposed. Entitlement enlightens spectators on the contrasting and yet comparable personas of soprano Floria Tosca and barbaric chief of police Scarpia: spoiled brats forsaking all who block their way. Sways of a dress’s train portray the former’s annexing {…}
The Royal Opera House is one of the first recipients of The Julia Rausing Trust. The Trust was created to honor the memory of philanthropist Julia Rausing. The Trust will donate £100 million to UK charities and organizations in its first year. The Royal Opera House will receive a £10 million grant towards infrastructure upgrades to the ballet stage and {…}
(Photo credit: Clive Barda) It’s curtain down, the opera has just ended and the cast are – dressed in 18th century attire – each taking their turns to bow to the applause, to the sound of “Così’s” ouverture. Confused? Well, that was just the start to an evening that was as whacky as it was amusing, if not also a {…}
(Photo: Tosca © ROH 2024) One of the more frequent criticisms aimed at opera singers, by those not acquainted in any way with the art form, pertains to what it is, exactly, they do other than sing. In OperaWire’s interview with the Cavaradossi of this production, Russell Thomas, the tenor said of many critics: “it’s a career that everybody who {…}
A barrister has been banned for 12 months after punching a fashion designer during a performance of the Royal Opera House’s Wagner’s “Siegfried.” The Telegraph is reporting that “Matthew Feargrieve was suspended by a disciplinary tribunal after being accused of professional misconduct and Feargrieve was accused of breaching his core duty by behaving in a way that was likely to {…}
(Credit: Simon Pauly) Update: “Following the first announcement of the cast change in the role of Turandot, we have further discussed with Artistic Director Antonio Pappano to find the best possible artistic solution for audiences in this situation. The title role will now be sung by two sopranos, Maida Hundeling (on 23 and 26 June) and Ewa Płonka (29 June {…}
The Royal Opera has announced a new partnership with Rolex, as the prestigious watchmaker becomes its first-ever Principal Partner. Building on an existing 18-year partnership as the Official Timepiece of the Royal Opera House, this new collaboration marks a new era that will see Rolex become the headline partner of The Royal Opera from the 2024-25 Season – the very {…}
(Credit: Mark Brenner) Barely a fortnight after His Majesty the King, opera luminaries, star singers, guests and audience all gathered to bid a fond and emotional farewell to Antonio Pappano as the Royal Opera House’s musical director; the maestro was back on the very same podium, guiding his musical charges through Giordano’s “Andrea Chénier.” Based loosely on the real-life French {…}
The Royal Opera House’s Jette Parker Artists Programme has announced its 2024-25 company. The group includes Mezzo-soprano Jingwen Cai, soprano Marianna Hovanisyan, bass-baritone Ossian Huskinson and baritone Siphe Kwani. Joining them will be pianist Richard Fu, director Sophie Gilpin (for the 2024/25 Season only), and conductor Peggy Wu. Artists will participate in a “Jukebox” showcase in October followed by a {…}
