The Royal Opera & Ballet has announced a cast change for its perfomance of “Siegfried” on March 21, 2026. The company said that Tommi Hakala will replace Christopher Maltman in the role of the Wanderder. Maltman also took to social media and said, “Sometimes, like the poor Wanderer above, events don’t unfold as you would like or as you expect. {…}
Jonas Kaufmann has revealed that he will not be returning to the Metropolitan Opera or the Royal Opera House. In a new interview with the Times of London which is set to air on Jan. 2 on the BBC, the tenor said that he had no plans with either theaters for several reasons. At the Met, Kaufmann said he didn’t {…}
(Photo: Camilla Greenwell) Pinching twitching nerves, Czech master Janáček’s angst-ridden “The Makropulos Case” warns of extra life. Lead role Emilia Marty’s present incarnation joins a palimpsest: Eugenia Montez, Ellian MacGregor, Ekaterina Myshkin, Else Müller and the titular Elina Makropulos. A magical elixir has sustained her for three centuries. Strife drives the aria-void work. Through strings unhinged, alarming accidentals and duplicitous {…}
Katie Mitchell has announced she is retiring from directing opera due to misogyny ahead of her upcoming production of Janáček’s “The Makropulos Case” at the Royal Opera. In an interview with the Times, the British director said, “I’m definitely bringing my work in opera to a close because of the misogyny. “The dissonance between doing feminist deconstructions and, sometimes, the {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced a cast change for “The Magic Flute.” The company said that Lucy Crowe will replace Julia Bullock, who is ill for performances on Oct. 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, and 25, 2025. Meanwhile, Chelsea Zurflüh will replace Lucy Crowe on Oct. 23, 28, 30, Nov. 1, and 3, 2025. Bullock took to social media {…}
(Photo credit: Tristram Kenton) Profane escapes scale heights heretical in offbeat tales. These contests of one-upmanship with God breed killers; lesser sinners stray with strangers. Dvořák’s unnamed “Spectre’s Bride” – the leading lady of his 1885 cantata – steals away with a dead demon. Four decades later a Chinese adventurer is robbed and killed in Bartók’s “The Miraculous Mandarin,” a {…}
The Royal Opera has announced a major cast change for “Les Vêpres Siciliennes.” The company revealed that Valentyn Dytiuk will take on the role of Henri, taking over for SeokJong Baek who has withdrawn due to personal reasons. Dytiuk will make his company debut with the opera. He has performed with such companies as the Deutsche Oper Berlin, National Theatre {…}
The Royal Opera House has released a statement regarding Juan Jesus Rodriguez’s comments on the production of Verdi’s “Il trovatore.” The company said, “We are aware of the recent public comments made by a member of the Il trovatore cast regarding their experience during the production at the Royal Opera House. While we respect the right of individuals to express {…}
(Photo by Valeri Guérguiev) The Reggia di Caserta has canceled Valery Gergiev’s July 27 concert. The festival said, “The management of the Reggia di Caserta has announced the cancellation of the concert conducted by Valery Gergiev as part of the ‘Un Estate da Re’ series.” The controversial concert sparked outrage throughout Italy with “700 culture personalities” signing a letter against {…}
A cast member from the Royal Opera House raised a Palestinian flag on stage during the curtain call on July 19, 2025. According to the Telegraph, the cast member was a ‘Queer dance artist,’ Daniel Perry, who took to the flag during the curtain call of the closing night of the Royal Opera House. The BBC reported that the Royal {…}
Throughout the years, the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Youth Opera Company has created a free program that gives students the chance to learn music and drama in one of the world’s most important opera houses in the world. Made for children between the ages of nine and 13, the Company offers students from all different backgrounds the chance to pursue {…}