Prepare yourself for two high profile premieres this weekend on opposite sides of the country. On Saturday, the Los Angeles Opera lifts the curtain on “Salome” starring Patricia Racette in the role that she dominated at the Metropolitan Opera. Regarding her performance OperaWire wrote, “she dominated the stage in one of her greatest achievements on the Met stage.” Another major {…}
It’s Valentine’s Day, a momentous occasion to celebrate love and romance. Romance is at the heart of opera with the art forms pull coming from our connection with beautiful love affairs. Most everyone melts at Rodolfo and Mimì’s blooming love in “La Bohème” or Alfredo and Violetta’s in “La Traviata.” We admire the sacrifice of Roméo and Juliette or even {…}
Jamie Barton is the 2017 winner of the Beverly Sills Artist Award, given to extraordinarily gifted singers between the ages of 25 and 40 who have already appeared in featured solo roles at the Met. Barton made her Met debut in 2009 as the Second Lady in Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte.” She would return in 2013 to take on the role {…}
Dvorak’s “Rusalka” makes a much-anticipated return to the Metropolitan Opera this Thursday, Feb. 2 in a brand-new production by noted director Mary Zimmerman. The Director Zimmerman made a splash at the Met with her work on three operas from the Bel Canto three – Donizetti, Rossini and Bellini. Her work in “Lucia di Lammermoor” was universally hailed for gothic style. Her {…}
Over the past few years Eric Owens has garnered praise for his heartbreaking and commanding work on stage. One only has to look at his ground-breaking portrayal of Alberich in Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” at the Metropolitan Opera to see the depth and emotional range he gives to each one of his roles. This week the bass is adding another important {…}
Ben Heppner was one of the most beloved dramatic tenors of his time and one that was admired for his technique. While he retired from the opera world and dedicated himself to radio, the tenor left so many memorable moments on stage. This season he celebrated his 25th anniversary at the Metropolitan Opera with a special gala alongside Deborah Voigt {…}