(Credit: Christopher Pledger) The English National Opera has announced that Dame Sarah Connolly has pulled out of the new production of Gluck’s “Orfeo and Eurydice.” The company announced that the mezzo-soprano had to pull out after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Connolly also canceled her upcoming BBC Proms concert. The mezzo announced on social media, “Last month, I had an unwelcome birthday {…}
The BBC Proms has announced its 2019 festival featuring some of the great singers, performers and orchestras in the world. For this season announcement we will concentrate on the vocal performances. Omer Meir Wellber leads the BBC Proms Youth Choir and BBC Philharmonic in Haydn’s “The Creation.” He is joined by soloists Sarah-Jane Brandon, Benjamin Hulett, and Christoph Pohl. Performance Date: July 29, {…}
The English National Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring seven new productions and three revivals, the greatest number of new productions in five years. The season will also include four new productions that present the same story: the Orpheus myth will be seen in four operas spanning 230 years, interpreted by four directors from radically different theatrical disciplines, all within the {…}
The London Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its slate for the 2019-20 season, which will take place at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. As per other season announcements, the focus here will be on opera singers and other such vocal showcases. Things get started with a performance of Verdi’s Requiem with Edward Gardner conducting. Elza van den Heever, Ekaterina Gubanova, {…}
Sarah Connolly has canceled her participation in the Metropolitan Opera’s upcoming Ring Cycle. The company announced that Connolly would not sing the role of Waltraute in “Gotterdammerung.” As a result, Michaela Schuster will replace her in all performances of the run. Schuster made her Met debut last season as Klytämnestra in Strauss’ “Elektra” garnering rave reviews. OperaWire noted, “As Klytämnestra, Michaela Schuster {…}
This week, four rarely performed works get new releases. Naxos, Dynamic, and Opus Arte are pulling the stops on showcasing some of the greatest works in the repertoire that need more visibility. Here is a look. Le Comte Ory Naxos will release a new production of Rossini’s final comedy. The production from the Malmo Opera stars Leonardo Ferrando in the {…}
The Grand Théâtre de Genève has announced its 2018-19 season featuring a number of rarely performed works as well as the Ring Cycle. Here is a look at what this season will offer. Productions The season opens with Bizet’s “Carmen” starring Ekaterina Sergeeva and Héloïse Mas alternating the title role. Sébastien Guèze and Sergej Khomov share the role of Don José {…}
The Philharmonie de Paris has announced its 2018-19 season filled with numerous concerts and operatic selections. The season will see a number of international stars and orchestras as guest artists to this important Parisian hall. Here is a look at the vocal highlights. Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra continue their exploration of the Ring Cycle with “Siegfried.” The opera {…}
L’Orchestre de Paris has announced its 2018-19 season filled with a wide range of concerts showcasing modern masterpieces and favorites from the standard repertoire. This season will include a number of vocal events featuring some of today’s greatest stars. Here is a look at what the season will offer opera lovers. Jakub Hrůša conducts a concert that includes Renaud Capuçon and {…}
Handel aficionados will get their dose of their beloved composer on Sunday, March 4, 2018 when the Vienna State Opera live streams “Ariodante” worldwide. The performance is led by baroque specialist William Christie in a production by David McVicar. The cast features Sarah Connolly in the tile role, Chen Reiss as Ginevra, Hila Fahima as Dalinda, Christophe Dumaux as Polinesso, {…}
This weekend looks a bit interesting for opera lovers looking to leave the core repertoire. Baroque dominates our selections for what we recommend and there is also a French rarity that no one should miss. Here is a glimpse. Saul & Ariodante – Wiener Staatsoper & Theatre an der Wien, Austria Austria audiences are in for a Handel double. At the {…}