‘Don Giovanni’ Is One of the Greatest Works Ever Written. Why Is It So Hard for Directors to Get Right?

(Photo: © Monika Rittershaus) “Don Giovanni” is an opera of seductions and escapes, moral wreckage and divine retribution, a shimmering mosaic of comedy, tragedy, farce, and existential dread. Yet “the mother of all operas” is also a uniquely treacherous work—at once alluring and intractable, irresistibly open yet elusive. Music’s sublimity rarely fails to connect with audiences, even in a less-than-stellar {…}

Q & A: Mezzo-Soprano Samantha Hankey on Her Vocal Technique in the Role of Donna Elvira & Her Own Evolution as an Opera Singer

(Photo credit: Faymous) From the title role in “Carmen,” one of the most coveted mezzo roles, to Dorabella in “Cosi fan tutte,” a traditional soprano role, mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey sings it all. In her interview with OperaWire, Hankey discussed her nonconformist approach to repertoire and the technique behind her success. Hankey will be singing the role of Donna Elvira in {…}

Renée Fleming, Kathryn Lewek, Joyce DiDonato, Lauren Snouffer, Samantha Hankey Headline Oratorio Society of New York’s 2025-26 Season

Oratorio Society of New York has unveiled its 2025-26 season. First up is Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor and John Corigliano’s “Fern Hill” starring Jennifer Zetlan, Samantha Hankey, Alex Richardson, and Joseph Parish. The performance takes place at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium /  Perelman Stage. Performance Date: Nov. 10, 2025 Then comes the “Messiah” in time for the holidays. The {…}

Cecilia Bartoli, Elīna Garanča, Pretty Yende, Sir Bryn Terfel, Matthias Goerne, Asmik Grigorian & Roberto Alagna Lead Opéra de Monte-Carlo’s 2025-26 Season

The Opéra de Monte-Carlo has announced its 2025-26 season. The season opens with Wagner’s “Der Fliegende Holländer” starring Sir Bryn Terfel, Albert Dohmen, Asmik Grigorian, Daniel Behle, Angharad Lyddon, and Trystan Llyr Griffiths. Gianluca Marcianò conducts the semi-staged version. Performance Date: Nov. 2, 2025 Anna Pirozzi stars in Verdi’s “Aida” alongside  Antonio Di Matteo, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Arsen Soghomonyan, Erwin Schrott, and Artur Rucinski. Massimo {…}

Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Diana Damrau, Michael Volle, Ludovic Tézier, Pretty Yende, Rolando Villazón, Federica Lombardi, Nicole Car, Freddie De Tommaso & Juan Diego Flórez Headline Wiener Staatsoper’s 2025-26 Season

The Wiener Staatsoper has announced its 2025-26 season. Here is a look at the operas and recitals for the new season. Premieres  Smetana’s “The Bartered Bride” will get a new production by Dirk Schmeding. The cast will be headed by Franz Xaver Schlecht, Margaret Plummer, Slávka Zámečníková, Ivo Stanchev, Monika Bohinec, Pavol Breslik, Michael Laurenz, Peter Kellner, Matthäus Schmidlechner, Ilia Staple, and Alex Ilvakhin. Tomáš Hanus conducts. A second cast will {…}

Renée Fleming, Thomas Hampson, Golda Schultz, Sasha Cooke & Jennifer Holloway Lead Boston Symphony Orchestra’s 2025-26 Season

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2025-26 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. The BSO Opening Gala will be conducted by Andris Nelsons and will feature soloists Golda Schultz, James Carter, vibraphonist J. William Hudgins, and double bassist Caleb Quillen. The program includes music by John Adams, Barber, Gerswhin, and Montgomery. Performance Date: Sept. 19, 2025 {…}