It is a big week for CDs and DVD releases in the opera world. As companies get ready for the holiday season, numerous artists have new releases that are must buys. Here are our recommendations. Myrthen With “Myrthen,” baritone Christian Gerhaher embarks on the second chapter of his once-in-a-lifetime project: the complete recording of Robert Schumann’s lieder output. Lauded as {…}
Many companies will celebrate Verdi’s birthday this weekend. There will also be a number of baroque selections and two intriguing new productions of rarely performed works. Here are our recommendations for this weekend. Giovanna d’Arco – La Monnaie, Belgium In celebration of Verdi’s birthday, the Belgium theater presents a concert performance of Verdi’s popular early work. Salome Jicia takes on {…}
(Credit: Darya Yastrebova) The Théâtre des Champs-Elysées has announced a replacement for Sabine Devieilhe in Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro.” The French company revealed that Anna Aglatova will take over the role of Susanna in James Gray’s upcoming new production of Mozart’s masterpiece. Aglatova is a Russian soprano who has performed at the Bolshoi Theatre, Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre, Wiener {…}
(Credit: Courtesy of Warner Classics) Sabine Devieilhe has withdrawn from her upcoming fall engagements. The soprano announced she is expecting her second child and therefore will not be able to perform her scheduled performances. The soprano stated, “we will soon welcome a second baby in our family! I need to withdraw from the production of ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ at Théâtre {…}
(Photo: Royal Opera House/Tristram Kenton) A map unfolds to become mammoth-sized over the stage in Laurent Pelly’s 2007 production of “La Fille du Régiment:” a zany and cartoonish exposition of this far-fetched comic tale that stretches paper-thin our talent for suspending disbelief. Mounting the set in an unspecified era with almost incidental visual references to furniture, furnishings and fashions of the {…}
For a big chunk of the world, this weekend is all about the “Avengers: Endgame.” But that doesn’t mean there won’t be time to head over to the opera house. So here’s the five operas we highly recommend for opera lovers still planning on having their weekend dose of their favorite artform. Ariadne Auf Naxos – Teatro alla Scala, Italy {…}
The Opera de Massy has announced its 2019-20 season featuring seven opera productions and a number of high profile recitals and concerts. Here is a look at what to expect. Opera Andre Heyboer and Alex Penda headline Verdi’s “Macbeth” with Dario Russo and Luciano Acocella conducting the production by Jean-Louis Martinoty. Performance Dates: Nov. 8 & 10, 2019 Handel’s “Acis {…}
The Théâtre Champs-Élysée has announced its 2019-20 season featuring five opera productions, numerous concert performances, operas in concerts, a Beethoven celebration and a number of recitals. For this season announcement we have narrowed it down to only vocal or operatic performances. Here is a look at the massive season. Deborah Cohen directs a new production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” with {…}
The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its 2019-20 season, which will include six new productions and dozens of revivals with some of opera’s greatest stars. New Productions The first new production of the season will be Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino.” The production will be directed by Frank Castorf and will star Russell Thomas and Marcelo Alvarez as Don Alvaro. {…}
The Opéra National de Paris has announced its 2019-20 seasons which will feature a total of 19 operas and the entire Ring Cycle in an all-new production. Bellini’s “I Puritani” opens the season in a production by Laurent Pelly. Elsa Dreisig takes the leading role with Javier Camarena and Francesco Demuro sharing the role of Arturo. Riccardo Frizza conducts the {…}
It’s a starry weekend with many of the leading companies already back in season. This week there are a number of classics that will be shown and one major soprano will make an important role debut. Find out what we think you should see this weekend! Die Zauberflöte – La Monnaie, Belgium Romeo Castellucci’s production continues its run with a {…}