The Royal Ballet And Opera has announced a cast change for its production of “Die Walküre.” The company said, “Natalya Romaniw will be making her role debut as Sieglinde replacing Lise Davidsen who is expecting her first two children.” Romaniw has performed at the Royal Opera House on numerous occasions in “Tosca.” She has also performed at the Welsh National {…}
The Royal Ballet and Opera has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Aida.” The company said that Raehann Bryce-Davis will replace the originally announced Ekaterina Semenchuk. For her part, Bryce-Davis took to social media and said, “Aaaand, it’s official! I’ll be jumping into a run of Aida at the Royal Ballet and Opera singing my beloved Amneris. {…}
(Photo: Puccini’s most beloved masterpiece is a feast at any time of the year, but as a Christmas treat, promises to deliver many gifts. Alas, like ALL gifts, some are more desirable than others; some special, some expected and some unwanted. As is the case with this fifth revival of Richard Jones’s classic 2017 production, where some presents are more {…}
The Royal Ballet and Royal Opera are teaming up to present “Phaedra + Minotaur” on Feb. 6-11, 2024 at Linbury Theatre. The production will feature Deborah Warner’s production of Britten’s cantata “Phaedra” alongside a ballet by Kim Brandstrup that reworks the Ariadne and Theseus myth. Headlining the production will be mezzo-soprano Christine Rice, who sings the title role of “Phaedra.” {…}
(Photo: Sebastian Nevols) The Royal Opera in London is set to present the world premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s “Festen” this February. The work features a libretto by Lee Hall based on Vinterberg’s revolutionary Dogme 95 film of the same name. The story explores a family reunion gone wrong when secrets expose an abusive relationship between the patriarch and his children. {…}
At the end of its celebratory 75th birthday year, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama announced Dame Shirley Bassey CH DBE FRWCMD as its new President. For the next three years she will hold the title. The President of the College is an honorary role which supports the College’s position as the national conservatoire of Wales and inspires {…}
(Photo ©2024 Camilla Greenwell) In a recent interview with director Damiano Michieletto at the Venice production of “The Tales of Hoffmann,” he said: “At its heart it is a journey into fantasy. It is opera fantastique, after all!” One definition of the French word fantastique is: a term for a literary and cinematic genre and mode that is characterized by {…}
(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 {…}