The Royal Opera has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Aida.” The company said that Angel Blue has withdrawn from the last three performances of “Aida” due to a family illness. As a result, Christina Nilsson will perform the title role on May 23, 27, and 1, making her house debut in Robert Carsen’s production, conducted by Mark {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced “Insurrection: A work in progress.” The project is a series of semi-staged showcases in the Linbury Theatre, based on a new work currently in development that explores how we come together to understand the legacy of enslavement. The events will run from March 21 to 25, 2023 which is International Day of Remembrance of {…}
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Opera House and BBC Proms have canceled performances. The Royal Opera closed on Sept. 8 and canceled performances of “Don Giovanni” and the Aida Insight. The house said it would contact ticket holders for refunds or to change to another performance. Meanwhile, BBC Proms canceled two nights including the Last Night {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced a restructuring due to financial constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement comes as the company has cut its entire team of casual staff. The Royal Opera House did not confirm how many jobs were cut but did state that “a voluntary redundancy process was also underway and that all casual contracts had {…}
The Royal Opera will make a return to Japan during the 2019-20 season. The company will perform two classic works of the standard repertory including Verdi’s “Otello” and Gounod’s “Faust.” Antonio Pappano will conduct all of the performances. “Faust” will open on tour on Sept. 12, 2019 and will feature tenor Vittorio Grigòlo in the title role. He will be {…}
The Royal Opera has announced Mark-Anthony Turnage’s new stagework “Coraline,” an opera for family audiences due for premiere at the Barbican Theatre in March 2018. The opera will be an adaptation of the much-loved classic fantasy tale by Neil Gaiman. Aletta Collins will stage the opera with Sian Edwards conducting the Britten Sinfonia. It will be a co-production with Opéra de Lille, Victorian {…}
Vittorio Grigolo is one of the most acclaimed tenors of his generation and has already been hailed as the successor to Luciano Pavarotti, his greatest qualities including his rampant energy and charisma on stage. On Feb. 19 Grigolo celebrates his 40th birthday and as a result OperaWire takes a look at some his most acclaimed roles The Duke in “Rigoletto” Vittorio Grigolo {…}
Angela Gheorghiu celebrated her 25th anniversary and 150th performance at the Royal Opera on Feb. 7, opening night of Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur” The occasion marked the first revival of the 2010 production, which Gheorghiu opened alongside Jonas Kaufmann and Olga Borodina. A favorite of the Royal Opera House, Gheorghiu had her big breakthrough in the house and around the world when she sang Violetta {…}
The Royal Opera continues its 2016-17 season with the first revival of David McVicar’s 2010 production of Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur.” The opera will star Angela Gheorghiu, who created the production in 2010 and who has dominated the character for the past six years. Hrachuhi Bassenz will alternate with Gheorghiu in her Royal Opera debut. Brian Jagde will also star as {…}
He has described his work as a conductor to that of “football” manager. He hates the label “eliticism” when referring to the world of opera, instead seeing it as an art for everyone. He loves all kinds of music and was once a lounge-bar pianist. If there is one thing that you can admire about Antonio Pappano, who was born {…}