We hope everyone is well and enjoying their opera. It is likely that there are already a lot of streams on your radar, but with the weekend looming (whatever that means anymore), we figured we point you toward a few highlights being presented this weekend. Pepito – April 3, 2020 For those who want some new opera, Composer Nicolas Lell {…}
(Credit: Jiyang Chen/Javier del Real/ Simon Pauly) The Festspielhaus Baden Baden has announced its 2020-21 season. For this article we will only highlight vocal performances. The season opens with Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra and “Bluebeard’s Castle.” Rinat Shaham and Gerald Finley star in the later with Sir Simon Rattle conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. Performance Date: Sept. 20, 2020 Benjamin {…}
For those stuck at home due to quarantine, these are the latest CD and DVD releases we recommend! Here is a look. Der Freischütz Oehmsclassics releases Weber’s beloved work from Aalto Musiktheater starring Maximilian Schmidt, Jessica Muirhead, Heiko Trinsinger, and Tamara Banjesevic. Tomas Netopil conducts the new CD recording. Les Contes d’Hoffmann C Major releases Tobias Kratzer’s production of Offenbach’s masterpiece. {…}
The Deutshce Oper Berlin has announced its 2020-21 season featuring six new productions and a new Ring Cycle. Premieres The season kicks off with “The 7 Deaths of Maria Callas,” which will be directed by Marina Abramovic. Marina Abramovic, Nadezhda Karyazina, Whitney Morrison, Leah Hawkins, Adela Zaharia, Selene Zanetti, Gabriella Reyes, and Mané Galoyan will lead the cast. Performance Dates: {…}
The Seattle Opera has announces its 2020-21 season featuring an all-star lineup and some ambitious productions. Here is a look: The season opens with the double bill of “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” with Gregory Kunde headlining both productions in a rare U.S. appearance. He will share the run with Arsen Soghomonyan. Melody Moore and Marcy Stonikas will share the role {…}
Placido Domingo has announced its upcoming Tokyo tour with Saioa Hernandez. The tenor announced via social media that he will sing two concerts in Tokyo alongside the Spanish soprano. The first concert on Jan 28 will be held at the Forum Concert while the Jan. 31 concert will take place at the Suntory Hall Tokyo. Both concerts will be led {…}
Anna Netrebko has canceled her final two performances of Puccini’s “Tosca” at the Teatro alla Scala. The company announced that “due to a sudden illness, Anna Netrebko has to withdraw from Tosca’s performances on Dec. 19 and 22.” As a result, Saioa Hernández will replace Netrebko. Hernández was already scheduled for three performances of “Tosca” on Jan. 2, 5, and {…}
(Credit: Catherine Ashmore/Royal Opera – Antoni Bofill/Gran Teatre del Liceu – Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera) As we end the year its time to look back at the past 365-ish days and the big moments that defined 2019. It was a great year for numerous singers who broke-out and for established performers who took their careers in new directions or made important {…}
This weekend we look at a number of classic operas in some of the world’s most notable production houses, as well as one of the great festivals in the world. Rusalka – Theater an der Wien, Austria Maria Bengtsson stars in Dvořák’s masterpiece in a new production by Amélie Niermeyer. The soprano starts alongside Ladislav Elgr as the Prince, Günther {…}
Editor’s Note: This piece has been edited as statements have come out regarding the situation. Following accusations of sexual harassment, numerous opera personalities have come in defense of Plácido Domingo. In the wake of accusations by nine women, opera stars have taken to Twitter, Instagram, and news outlets to defend their colleague. Among them is Bulgarian superstar soprano Sonya Yoncheva {…}
(Credit: Teatro Regio di Parma/ SF/Monika Riitshaus/Rossini Opera Festival) This weekend new productions open, a major festival kicks off and a rising star makes a major debut at a historical arena. Here is what we recommend for the weekend. Œdipe – Salzburg Festival, Austria Christopher Maltman sings the title role of Enescu’s rarely performed work. The star baritone is joined {…}
