Royal Opera House 2023-24 Review: L’Elisir d’Amore

(Photo credit: Clive Barda/Royal Opera House) Nestling zest into impressionable appetites, bel canto master Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore” is a succulent confectioner’s delight: a cavalcade of strawberry and rhubarb shades that never age out of their calorific bubble. High on hyperactive captures of unravelling roulades and supercilious trills, its teasing feast of overblown, meringue-like vows empowers risk-taking directors. Decking his décor {…}

Jul 20, 2023

Royal Opera Orchestra Votes in Favor of Strike

The Royal Opera’s orchestra members have voted in favor of potential strike action in a ballot that closed on July 17. According to the Musicians’ Union, the orchestra voted 89.87 percent in favor, based on a turnout of 92.94 percent. The decision was made due to the salary that the orchestra is currently being paid. The members are asking for {…}

Jul 7, 2023

Royal Opera House to Host ‘Callas at Covent Garden’ Exhibit

(Photograph by James Bellorini) The Royal Opera House is set to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Maria Callas’ birth with an exclusive exhibition showcasing career-defining photographs and stories of the famed diva. “Callas at Covent Garden” will open to the public on July 14, 2023. Visitors will have the opportunity to view photographs capturing Callas’ performances at the ROH as well {…}

Jul 7, 2023

Royal Opera House 2022-23 Review: Woman at Point Zero

Photo: Camilla Greenwell/Royal Opera House 2023 The Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House has been home to some of the most incisive and bracing opera happening at Covent Garden in recent times. Work there has been self-consciously political, physical and experimental. Most notable is Laura Bowler’s “The Blue Woman,” directed by Katie Mitchell, Oliver Leith’s “Last Days,” and “Least {…}

Jul 3, 2023

Royal Opera House 2022-23 Review: Don Carlo

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, {…}

Jul 3, 2023

Royal Opera House 2022-23 Review: Il Trovatore

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, {…}

Jun 27, 2023

Jonas Kaufmann Withdraws from ‘Werther’ Performance at Royal Opera House

(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 {…}

Jun 24, 2023

Royal Opera House Now Streaming Jonathan Kent’s ‘Tosca’

(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 {…}

Jun 15, 2023

Marina Rebeka Withdraws From Another ‘Trovatore’ Performance at ROH Due to COVID-19

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 {…}

Jun 12, 2023

Royal Opera Houses Announces Another Cast Change for ‘Il Trovatore’

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.” {…}

Jun 9, 2023

Royal Opera House Announces 2023 Engender Festival

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 {…}