As January continues, many of the opera companies are back in session with a number of revivals and new productions on offer. The focus of this weekend’s major choices will be numerous repertory standards. Arabella – Théâtre des Champs Elysées, France Anja Harteros sings her signature role alongside a cast that includes Kurt Rydl, Doris Soffel, Hanna-Elisabeth Müller, and Michael Volle. {…}
Do you like your Verdi? Or how about your Strauss? Maybe you are more interested in modern works that are rarely heard or performed. Well this weekend has that and much more. So buckle in and behold our choices for the top five operas we are pumped to see this weekend. Die Frau Ohne Schatten – Berlin State Opera, Germany {…}
On September 12, 2018, Saimir Pirgu will make his debut as Don José in “Carmen” at Bangkok’s 20th International Festival of Dance and Music in a Daniele Finzi Pasca production revived by Paolo Vettori. The production will also include the Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro San Carlo of Naples, conducted by Maestro Zubin Mehta, and will also showcase Veronica {…}
The Teatro San Carlo has announced its 2018-19 season. The season will include some of the biggest stars in opera as well as some rare gems. Here is a look at what San Carlo will offer operagoers next season. Productions Riccardo Muti conducts the opening night with a new production by Chiara Muti of Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte.” Alessio Arduini, {…}
The Théâtre Champes-Élysées has announced its 2018-19 season. Let’s break it down Staged Productions Jérémie Rhorer conducts a new production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” with Deborah Warner directing. Vannina Santoni stars in the title role alongside Saimir Pirgu and Laurent Naouri. Performance Dates: Nov. 28-Dec. 9, 2018 Katie Mitchell directs Strauss’ “Ariadne Auf Naxos” with Camila Nylund and Roberto Sacca. Kate Lindsey and Olga Pudova round out {…}
On Feb. 27, 2018, “Romeo et Juliette” will be broadcast in movie theaters from the Gran Theatre Liceu. The opera will star Saimir Pirgu and Aida Garifullina as the star-crossed lovers and will be shown live in Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. In a press release, Pirgu noted, {…}
It’s a weekend of heavy repertoire from Wagnerian works to Tchaikovsky’s rarely performed operas. And there is a special Kurt Weill piece that is receiving a rare run. Find out what we think you should see this weekend. Lohengrin – Prague National Theatre, Czech Republic Wagner’s Bel canto masterpiece returns to the stage in Wolfgang Wagner’s production directed by Katharina Wagner. The {…}
There were a ton of major events going on in the opera world this past week, but one simply eclipsed the others. We have already related many of the social media reactions to the sad news of Dmitri Hvorostovsky’s passing. But here are a few other heartfelt homages to the great Russian baritone, sent exclusively to OperaWire. “Dmitry Hvorostovsky was {…}
On Oct. 20 2017, hr-Sinfonieorchester will be live-streaming its performance of Verdi’s “Requiem” on its website. Announced on the Instagram page of tenor Saimir Pirgu, the concert, conducted by Andres Orozco-Estrada, will also feature soprano Erika Grimaldi, mezzo-soprano Violeta Urmana, and bass Carlo Colombara. Verdi’s “Requiem” first began as a collaborative effort between several Italian composers in honor of the passing of {…}
Saimir Pirgu is one of today’s top tenors, singing at every major international theater, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Teatro alla Scala, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Paris Opéra, the Berlin Staatsoper and Deutsche Oper, the Zurich Opera, Barcelona’s Liceu, the San Francisco Opera, and the Salzburg Festival. This season he heads to the Teatro {…}