Over the last few weeks, the Metropolitan Opera has hit one home run after another with news of a more accessible schedule structure as well as support for newer operas in new locations over coming seasons. These major stories have emphasized a new era, so to speak, for the company, and the organization has even baptized that progress with a {…}
Camile Saint-Saëns’ “Samson et Dalila” is not among the most popular operas in the standard repertoire. In fact, at the Met, it has been performed a total of 226 times since is Met premiere back on Feb. 8, 1895. And yet the opera has garnered three opening nights to date, a number that will increase by one on Sept. 24, {…}
Taking the biblical element out of “Samson et Dalila” makes about as much sense as setting “Madama Butterfly” in Botswana. Typical of many opera directors trained in the theater, Alexandra Liedtke seems to have limited understanding of Saint-Saëns’ music and even less about Lemaire’s libretto. As is often the case when a regisseur feels their genius may be unappreciated, Liedtke chose {…}
Russian Baritone Sergei Leiferkus, born on April 4, 1946, is recognized for his unique vocal quality. If you haven’t heard him before, then you should, because he has one of the most individual sounds you’ll ever hear. In fact, here’s an excerpt from a role we will talk about in a bit. In any case, the baritone enjoyed a solid {…}
Every year, Metropolitan Opera audiences get pumped for a few things. But not many carry as much excitement as the Live in HD series. Every year the Met chooses a handful (or two) performances to showcase around the globe on the silver screen. Those are usually high profile presentations of new productions with opera’s greatest stars. And as you might {…}
Elina Garanca has confirmed she will open the Metropolitan Opera in 2018-19. In an interview with the Informador, the mezzo-soprano noted that she will open the season singing the role of Dalila in “Samson et Dalila.” The mezzo-soprano also noted that she will be recording a new CD in November but did not confirm any repertoire. Garanca is currently on tour {…}
James McCracken, born on Dec. 16, 1926, is known today as one of the great American tenors of the 20th Century. Shockingly, he wasn’t always viewed that way. In fact, a great portion of his early career, spent at the Metropolitan Opera, was spent in the shadows of other things. He sang a whopping 596 performances with the company, but {…}
Making its premiere on December 2nd, 1877, “Samson et Dalila” is a grand opera composed by Camille Saint-Saëns. The libretto, penned by Ferdinand Lemaire, is adapted from the Biblical story of Samson and Delilah found within the Old Testament. Saint-Saëns describes the project’s conception as a result of working with Lemaire, who had recently married one of Saint-Saëns’ cousins, after {…}
Olga Borodina is one of the most respected mezzo-sopranos of her generations. She has conquered every international theater and has sung most of the major mezzo repertoire. And this week, she takes on yet another feat in her storied career as she returns to the United States for her debut at the Dallas Opera. Borodina will open the Dallas Opera in the role {…}
For years Olga Borodina was one of the leading mezzo-sopranos in the world, singing in all the major opera houses and dominating the lyric and dramatic mezzo repertoire. She possessed comic timing in multiple Rossini roles and was a dramatic tour de force in roles like Amneris, the Princess of Bouillon and Laura in “La Gioconda.” She also brought brilliance to the {…}
Virginia Opera has announced its 2017-18 season, which will feature four masterworks from the repertoire. The season opens in late September with a production of Saint-Saëns’ “Samson and Delilah.” The work will get three performances in Norfolk on Sept. 29 and Oct. 1 and 3, 2017. It heads to Fairfax the following weekend, on Oct. 7 and 8, before shifting over {…}