A Gothic fairy tale, the “Faust”s of Goethe and Gounod are both ahead of their time as morality plays – duplicitously tempting their readers and spectators with the very hedonism they purport to chastise. At the end of Act three, Méphistophélès crassly laughs over the end of Faust and Marguerite’s tender duet. The contrast between bewitching, shimmering violins exuding ripening {…}
The winners of the Olivier Awards 2019 were announced on Apr. 7, 2019 at the Royal Albert Hall in a ceremony hosted by Jason Manford. The award for Best New Opera Production went to Janáček’s “Katya Kabanova” at the Royal Opera House. Richard Jones’ production, which sets the story in the 1960s, ran from Feb. 4 – 26, 2019 with {…}
Diana Damrau has canceled all performances of Gounod’s “Faust.” The Royal Opera House has announced that due to a slipped disc Damrau has had to withdraw from singing the role of Marguerite on April 11, 15, 18, 25, and 30. As a result, Russian soprano Irina Lungu, who is scheduled to sing Marguerite on May 3 and 6 May, will takeover all performances. Lungu made {…}
On April 2, 2019, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden will showcase its new production of “La Forza del Destino” in cinemas. The production, which is directed by Christof Loy stars Anna Netrebko and Jonas Kaufmann as the tragic lovers of Verdi’s epic opera. Alongside them will be Ludovic Tézier and Ferruccio Furlanetto. The production is conducted by Antonio Pappano. {…}
This review is for the performance on March 24, 2019. The crux of its concept a curse, Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” relies on motifs as portentous as ravens. With its harrowing theme of inescapable fate rearing its head in the overture, the early murder of the Marquis of Calatrava heralds the “maledizione:” a hounding lethal curse that will hunt {…}
On March 16, 2019, Sir Thomas Allen gave his final performance at the Royal Opera House. The Royal Opera House announced via social media that the famed baritone gave his final performance with the house in “Così Fan Tutte.” In a social media message, the company said, “Sir Thomas Allen coming off stage after last night’s performance of ‘Così fan tutte’ {…}
The Olivier Awards have announced their annual nominations. For the purpose of this article, we will only focus on the opera categories. In the category of Best New Opera Production the Royal Opera House received two nominations for its productions of “Kat’ya Kabanova” and “Lessons of Love and Violence.” Also nominated in the category was “The Turn of the Screw” {…}
Like a prank fallen flat, Jan Philipp Gloger’s 2016 production of “Così fan tutte” is loaded with unfunny clichés the audience always sees coming. Boasting cardboard imitations of forests, a doctor’s costume making its Despina look like Jesus Christ, huge placards with classic fonts spelling out the Italian words “fedeltà,” “amore” and others, some parts are embarrassing to watch. With {…}
The Royal Opera House has revealed the dates that audiences in the U.S. can catch some of their recent filmed performances. The company’s recent “The Queen of Spades” is set to hit major markets on March 12, 2019, while “La Traviata” will start appearing on March 19, 2019. “La Traviata” was a major success, featuring soprano Ermonela Jaho in a {…}
Set in a provincial Russian town close by the Volga River, the basis for Janáček’s “Káťa Kabanová” – Alexander Ostrovsky’s play “The Storm” – invites the color palette of a murky staging; a cerulean hue or olive green to mirror the portentous themes that percolate the sometimes dissonant, sometimes harmonious and sinuously changing score. Unlike many opera settings, the visual {…}
This weekend’s international roundup of must watch opera features a plethora of rare works and two repertory staples in unique productions. Here is a look at our top recommendations, in order by company. L’Enigma di Lea – Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona Composer Benet Casablancas and librettist Rafael Argullol’s work will get its world premiere in Barcelona on Saturday with {…}