The Royal Swedish Opera’s Revival of Rufus Wainwright’s ‘Prima Donna’ Opens October 10

The Royal Swedish Opera opens a new production of acclaimed singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright’s “Prima Donna” on October 10, running through November 14. “Prima Donna’s” libretto is Wainwright’s, written in collaboration with Bernadette Colomine. “Prima Donna,” billed as a tribute to the art of Romantic opera, premiered at the Manchester International Festival in 2009. “Prima Donna” relates the story of a {…}

Apr 16, 2020

Obituary: Swedish Mezzo-Soprano Kerstin Meyer Dies, Aged 92

On April 15, 2020, Swedish mezzo-soprano Kerstin Meyer passed away, at the age of 92. Meyer is remembered as a leading mezzo during the 50s and 60s, singing with prominent companies throughout Europe. After graduating from Stockholm’s Royal College of Music in 1948, Meyer studied at the Opera School, where she won the Christine Nilsson Scholarship to fund studies in {…}

Apr 13, 2020

Royal Swedish Opera Streaming Two Operatic Masterworks Starring Katarina Dalayman, Greer Grimsley, Irene Theorin

The Royal Swedish Opera is showcasing two major performances on its official website. The first of these that is streaming is Verdi’s “Aida” in a production by Michael Cavanaugh. It stars Katarina Dalayman as Amneris, Christina Nilsson as Aida, Iva Defabiani as Radamès, and Alessio Cacciamani as Ramfis. Pier Giorgio Morandi conducts the performance, which is presented in two parts. {…}

Mar 14, 2020

Watch Stream of ‘Die Walküre’ From Royal Swedish Opera Starring Irene Theorin, Greer Grimsley

(Credit: Carl Thorborg) The Royal Swedish Opera will be live stream a concert performance of Wagner’s “Die Walküre” on Saturday, March 14 at 3 p.m. local time in Sweden. The performance stars Iréne Theorin, Elisabet Strid, and Greer Grimsley under the musical direction of Constantin Trinks. The company noted in its official announcement that it will open up more daily {…}

Jan 16, 2020

Alan Gilbert Appointed New Music Director Of The Royal Swedish Opera

(Credit: Peter Hundert I NDR) American conductor Alan Gilbert has been appointed as the new Music Director of the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm and will begin in the spring of 2021. Gilbert will combine his new position with the post of Chief Conductor at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the position which he took in the fall of 2019. In {…}

Jan 13, 2020

OperaVision 2020 Preview: Malin Byström to Star in Royal Swedish Opera’s ‘Fedora’

(Credit: Markus Gárder / Royal Swedish Opera) OperaVision will present Giordano’s “Fedora” from the Royal Swedish Opera on Jan. 17, 2020. The Verismo work will star Malin Byström, Daniel Johansson, Ola Eliasson, Marianne Odencrants, Krisitan Flor, Emelie Thoor, Niklas Björling Rygert, Jon Nilsson, John Erik Eleby, Jens Persson, Håkan Ekenäs, Andreas Lundmark, Mikael Fagerholm, and Henrik Hugo, among others. Eugene {…}

Oct 14, 2019

OperaVision Live Streams ‘Der Ferne Klang’ From Royal Swedish Opera

(Credit: Monika Ritterhaus) OperaVision will livestream “Der Ferne Klang” live from the Royal Swedish Opera on Oct. 19, 2019. The performance will showcase Agneta Eichenholz, Daniel Johansson, Johan Rydh, Miriam Treichl, Andreas Lundmark, Jeremy Carpenter, Lars Arvidson, Vivianne Holmberg, Marie-Louise Granström, Madeleine Barringer, Ola Eliasson, and Klas Hedlund. Stefan Blunier conducts a production directed by Christof Loy. OperaWire’s review stated {…}

Oct 10, 2019

Royal Swedish Opera 2019-20 Review: Der Ferne Klang

(Photo credit: Monika Rittershaus) As the first new production of the new season, the Royal Swedish Opera offered up “Der ferne Klang” from Franz Schreker, a work not seen on this stage since 1927. Created in Frankfurt in 1912, “Der ferne Klang” is a complex work composed over almost the entire first decade of the 20th century. The success at its {…}

May 22, 2019

Royal Swedish Opera Succeeds In Becoming The ‘Opera For All’ In 2018

Royal Swedish Opera had a highly successful year in 2018, investing major resources to become an “Opera for All,” according to CEO and Artistic Director Birgitta Svendén. “What we do at the Royal Swedish Opera is important for growth, for creative development, for culture workers, and for free expression.” It was revealed at the company’s Annual General Meeting that “breadth {…}

May 9, 2019

The Problematic Case of Sound Amplification at the Royal Swedish Opera

The production of sound in opera has always been acoustic in nature, with the exception of a handful of contemporary operas which have specific instructions from the composer, Natural sounds produced by voices and instruments are untouched and vocal technique accounts for the ability to project in a concert hall. In modern times, new technology has introduced the possibility of {…}

Mar 26, 2019

Greer Grimsley, Malin Byström & Daniel Johansson Highlight The Royal Swedish Opera’s 2019-20 season

The Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm announced the company’s 2019-20 season which will include a German rarity, the company premiere of a Leonard Bernstein operetta and the return of a Wagner opera. As usual, the company invites an impressive group of conductors that will comprise Jean-Christophe Spinosi, Alan Gilbert, Constantin Trinks, John Fiore, and Domingo Hindoyan. Here is the lineup: {…}

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