The word “Bohemian” – much like the popular terms “retro,” “Goth,” or “vintage” – is yet another label that has offered countless inferences over a plethora of different times. The “Bohème” clique of Puccini, undercut by the whimsy and exuberance of Italian verismo, would contrast with a play rendition of its source, Henri Murger’s “Scènes de la Vie de Bohème.” {…}
Its preludes are themselves landmarks of beauty – but Wagner’s 1850 opera “Lohengrin” is a prelude to his future epics. Rooted in Arthurian legend, taking the son of King Parsifal as its hero, and featuring prayers to the pagan gods Wotan and Freia, it is another battle between the divine and the mortal. In mythical medieval Brabant, Count Friedrich von {…}
Medici.tv will present the premiere production of George Benjamin’s hotly anticipated “Lessons in Love and Violence” on Saturday, May 26 at 2 p.m. ET. The opera, written by Martin Crimp will feature Benjamin at the podium of the Royal Opera House’s orchestra with Barbara Hannigan in the lead role. The work will be directed by Katie Mitchell with Vicki Mortimer {…}
The Royal Opera House and BP will celebrate their 30-year partnership this summer with two opera screenings and one ballet. Now in its 30th year, the partnership between BP and the Royal Opera House will present a new production of “Swan Lake” on June 12, 2018 followed by Puccini’s “La Bohème” on June 26, 2018 and Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” on July {…}
Director Phyllida Lloyd’s 2002 production of Verdi’s “Macbeth” doesn’t need a revival to age. Cluttered with too many literal symbols – Lady Macbeth attempting to wash blood off in the bath, Duncan clad in a glittery gold cloak that Macbeth dons when assuming the throne, the presence of a running tap onstage as the two killer spouses sing of their {…}
The Royal Opera House will present Verdi’s “Macbeth” live in cinemas on April 4, 2018. The performance will be broadcast around the globe and will feature superstar soprano Anna Netrebko as the villainous Lady Macbeth. She will be paired with Zeljko Lucic in the title role; the two performed the Macbeths together at the Metropolitan Opera in a performance that {…}
Sony Classical has announced the release of Verdi’s “Otello” from the Royal Opera House. The production, which premiered last summer at the Royal Opera, stars Jonas Kaufmann in his role debut, Maria Agresta, and Marco Vratogna. Antonio Pappano conducted the production, which was directed by Keith Warner. When the production premiered OperaWire noted, “Jonas Kaufmann Cements His Legacy As One {…}
The Royal Opera has announced its 2018-19 season, which is set to include five new productions, classic revivals, and operas that span the entire breadth of the repertory. New Productions The Royal Opera will begin its season with a cycle of works for families over the next few Seasons, beginning with a new production of Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” by director/designer {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced its 2018-19 season, which will continue its Live in Cinemas series. This season, there will be 11 productions, including six ballets and five operas. We will cover the operatic performances only. The first of these is Wagner’s “Die Walküre,” which will hit the big screen on Oct. 28, 2018. Let by conductor Antonio Pappano, {…}
Janáček’s final opera, “From the House of the Dead (Z mrtvého domu),” is among the operatic canon’s most insular works. Set in a Siberian prison camp, the piece is uncharacteristic as an opera from several perspectives: it features just a single female voice – although originally a mezzo sang the tenor role; its setting is confined to the lugubrious complexion {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced a memorial concert for Dmitri Hvorostovsky. The concert will see artists of The Royal Opera and friends celebrate the achievements of the great Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, who died in November 2017. The Russian baritone was one of the most remarkable and beloved artists of our time and was well-known at the Royal Opera {…}
