Opera, especially Grand Opera, has always had a predilection for throwing up stories that test the boundaries of credibility and border on indelicacy, and Verdi operas frequently bask in both. “Don Carlo,” one of Verdi’s later works although arguably written whilst in his prime, is a truly convoluted tale, mostly fictional although involving true historical figures, that involves conflict, war, {…}
If you’re not fully conversant with the tale that is the centerpiece of one of Giuseppe Verdi’s most celebrated and performed works, “Il Trovatore,” then I highly recommend a little further reading and research before attempting to digest this opera. It may well help to alleviate some of the confusion in following the plot. There’s little one can do, however, {…}
(Photo credit: Sony Music) The Royal Opera House has announced a cast change for the June 28, 2023 performance of “Werther.” The company revealed that tenor Jonas Kaufmann has withdrawn from the production due to illness. In his stead, audiences will hear Juan Diego Flórez in the title role. The Peruvian tenor returns to the Massenet opera after performances at {…}
(Photos by Tristram Kenton) The Royal Opera House is now streaming Jonathan Kent’s production of Puccini’s “Tosca.” Elena Stikhina sings the title role, with Bryan Hymel as Mario Cavaradossi, Alexey Markov as Baron Scarpia, Hubert Francis as Spoletta, and Yuriy Yurchuk singing the role of Cesare Angelotti.Oksana Lyniv conducts. The designs are by Paul Brown. Also featured on Stream are {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced that Marina Rebeka will not be performing in the June 16 showing of “Il Trovatore.” Per an official press release, the soprano has tested positive for COVID-19 and the role of Leonora will be performed by Rachel Willis-Sørensen. This is the second performance that Rebeka has canceled in the run. Willis-Sørensen will perform in {…}
The Royal Opera has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” The company said, “sadly, Marina Rebeka has withdrawn from performing the role of Leonora in tomorrow evening’s performance of ‘Il Trovatore’ after testing positive for COVID-19. Rachel Willis-Sørensen will perform the role ahead of her scheduled run of performances in Il trovatore from June 21 – July 2.” {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced its 2023 Engender Festival. First up will be the UK premiere of “Woman at Point Zero” by Bushra El-Turk with a libretto by Stacy Hardy. Laila Solman directs the opera, which stars Dima Orsho and Carla Nahadi Babelegoto. Kanako Abe conducts. “Woman at Point Zero” is a multimedia work tells a tale of abuse {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced two cast changes for its June 8 production of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” The company said, “Sadly, Riccardo Massi (Manrico) and Jamie Barton (Azucena) have withdrawn from tomorrow evening’s performance of ‘Il Trovatore’ after testing positive for COVID-19.” As a result, Stefano La Colla will make his Covent Garden debut performing the role of Manrico, {…}
Jamie Barton has canceled the June 8 performance of “Il Trovatore” at the Royal Opera House. The mezzo took to social media and said, “Y’all… It’s not Azucena-level drama, but your girl’s been going through it a bit herself. A chest cold that required 5 days of full vocal rest, gnarly food poisoning the night before opening, the worst seasonal {…}
Photo: Tristram Kenton Expectations were high for Deborah Warner’s new production of Alban Berg’s “Wozzeck” at the Royal Opera House. Warner’s acclaimed treatment of “Peter Grimes” saw her in similar territory—indeed, the debt owed to Berg’s score by Britten is considerable—in a pair of twentieth-century operas about alienated outsiders, disturbed by the very society that despises them. Both pieces are {…}
The Royal Opera House has unveiled its 2023-24 season. It all kicks off with a production of “Das Rheingold” directed by Barrie Kosky and conducted by Antonio Pappano. The opera stars Christopher Maltman, Christopher Purves, Sean Panikkar, Marina Prudenskaya, Kiandra Howarth, and Wiebke Lehmkulm. Performance Dates: Sept. 11 – 29, 2023 Next up is “La Forza del Destino” in a {…}