(Credit: Camilla Greenwell) At the very opening of Damiano Michieletto’s new production of “Carmen,” I was struck by a very vivid sense of déjà vu! Before the curtain rises, a very sombre, spectral lady enters the stage, dressed in black with lace mantilla. For a brief instant, I thought I was back, four days PREVIOUSLY in the same house, where {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the season. Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” will open the season with a cast that includes Luca Micheletti, Ying Fang, Huw Montague Rendall, Jacquelyn Stucker, and Ginger Costa-Jackson. Performance Dates: Sept. 2-15, 2024 Verdi’s “La Traviata” will feature two casts. The first cast will be headlined {…}
I have more than once commented that OPERA, no matter the tale, should always be about the music; specifically, the singing, above and beyond anything else. It is, after all, what truly defines the art. And in Katie Mitchell’s and Robin Tebbutt’s revival production of Donizetti’s tragic opera, the singing is inarguably superlative. Alas, this is a truly grim tale. {…}
Earlier this week, the Royal Opera House Songs for Ukraine Chorus met with First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenkska during a visit to No. 10 Downing Street. During a reception, the ensemble performed the Ukrainian national anthem and “Prayer for Ukraine” for Zelenska and Akshata Murty. “We were absolutely delighted that Mrs. Zelenska and Mrs. Murty met with our wonderful {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced its International Women’s Day celebrations. The company will present the “Women in Technical Theatre” panel discussion starting at 12:30 p.m. The discussion will be led by ROH Director of Technical, Production & Costume, Emma Wilson MBE. Then comes “The Diva and the Hag,” a panel discussion curated by the Engender network. “This event explores how we challenge {…}
(Photo: Camilla Greenwell/Royal Opera House) Trailing draggily behind Puccini’s rue and jubilance, this season’s Royal Opera House revival of the tearful “La bohème” appears afraid of the work’s earnestness. Decked out in semi-mockeries of 1830s Paris, Richard Jones’ 2017 production favors episodes of bawdiness at the expense of the Bohemian; endangering its players’ vocal liberties. Perhaps as the result of {…}
The Jette Parker Artists and The Royal Opera are set to present a double bill featuring Martinu’s “Larmes de couteau” and Harbison’s “Full Moon in March.” The showcase, which will be presented at the Linbury Theatre starting on April 26, 2024, will be directed by Eleanor Burke and Harriet Taylor. Both operas will star Valentina Puskás as Eleanora, alongside Veena {…}
Nina Stemme has withdrawn from the Jan. 18, 2024 performance of “Elektra” at the Royal Opera House. The company noted that Stemme is ill and as a result, the role of Elektra will be performed by Ausrine Stundyte, who made her highly anticipated Covent Garden debut as Elektra on Jan. 15, 2024. Stundyte is a well-known interpreter of Elektra as {…}
(Photo credit: © ROH 2024/Tristram Kenton) Had a family bust-up over the holidays? Don’t worry – it could be worse. Richard Strauss’ “Elektra,” with a libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal from his 1903 play of the same, took a dysfunctional family of the opera stage to new extremes, boiling up Sophocles’ tale of matricide in the Freudian pressure cooker of {…}
(Credit: Salzburg Festival / Bernd Uhlig) The Royal Opera House has announced a cast change for its production of “Elektra” on Jan. 15, 2024. The company said, “Sadly, Nina Stemme has withdrawn from singing the role of Elektra in this evening’s performance due to illness. The role of Elektra will be performed by Ausrine Stundyte who makes her highly anticipated {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced the cast details for its Japan 2024 tour. “It’s a pleasure to be bringing these incredible works to Japan – with two stellar casts, our Royal Operas Chorus and of course Orchestra of the Royal Opera House,” said Music Director Antonio Pappano, who will conduct all the performances on the tour, in an official {…}