Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Elīna Garanča & Plácido Domingo Highlight Wiener Staatsoper’s 2020-21 Season

The Wiener Staatsoper has announced its massive 2020-21 season. Here is a rundown. Premieres Philippe Jordan conducts Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly“ in Anthony Minghella’s acclaimed production. The production from 2005 arrived in Vienna with Asmik Grigorian in the title role, Virginie Verrez, Freddie De Tommaso, and Boris Pinkhasovich. In January, Grigorian is joined by Noa Beinart and Marcelo Puente. A third {…}

Juan Diego Flórez, Diana Damrau & Marina Rebeka Lead Top 5 Performances To See Internationally (3/6-8)

(Credit: Teatro Cervantes/Bayerische Staatsoper) This weekend, three new productions open with superb casts. Meanwhile one of the biggest stars in opera makes a major debut while a production will continue in very intriguing circumstances. Norma – Staatsoper Hamburg, Germany Marina Rebeka headlines a new production of “Norma” by Yona Kim. Rebeka takes on her signature role alongside Marcelo Puente, Liang {…}

Marina Rebeka, Anita Rachvelishvili & Christian Van Horn Lead Dutch National Opera’s 2020-21 Season

The Dutch National Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring new productions and a number of world premieres. Boito’s “Mefistofele” opens the season with a new production by Tatjana Gürbaca. Marco Armiliato conducts the production with Christian Van Horn in the title role, Charles Castronovo, Olga Busuioc, and Guanqun Yu. Performance Dates: Sept. 5-24, 2020 Paula Murrihy, Sandrine Piau, Tuomas {…}

Roberto Alagna, Venera Gimadieva & Alice Coote Headline Hamburg State Opera’s 2020-21 Season

Article in collaboration with Dejan Vukosavljevic The Hamburg State Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring six new productions and a number of revivals. Here is a look at the season. Oper Stabile  Penderbayne’s “Unser kleines Scheißkaff” will be performed by Larissa Wäspy, Kady Evanyshyn, Ida Aldrian, Nicholas Mogg, Hubert Kowalczyk, Peter Galliard, and Katja Pieweck. Ingmar Beck conducts the {…}

Ruzan Mantashyan’s Representation Addresses Semperoper Ball Controversy

(Source: Ruzan Mantashyan Official Website) Ruzan Mantashyan’s representation has issued a statement regarding the soprano’s involvement or lack of involvement in the Semperoper Ball. Initial reports stated that she had been fired because tenor Yusif Eyvazov would not perform alongside her due to her Armenian nationality. The Operball then issued a statement stating that the soprano had never been contracted. {…}

Bayerische Staatsoper 2017-18 Review – Così Fan Tutte: Eye-Catching Couples, Comedy and Camaraderie Display Mozart’s Magic

“Così fan tutte” has often been a vehicle for some terrific singing as the third and final Mozart opera penned by Lorenzo Da Ponte. That was again the case Friday night at the Bayerische Staatsoper as a cast of rising stars showcased their respective talents in octogenarian Dieter Dorn’s production. When something has lasted for almost a quarter century, there {…}