Thomas Hampson, Camilla Nylund, & Kathryn Lewek Star in International Mozarteum Foundation’s Mozart Week Festival 2027

The International Mozarteum Foundation has announced programming for the Mozart Week Festival 2027. This article only features vocal works. Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” is presented by the Salzburg Camerata led by Ivor Bolton. The cast features Thomas Hampson, Kathryn Lewek, Patricia Nolz, Siyabonga Maqungo, Markus Werba, and Kate Lindsey. Bettina Geyer severs as director. Performance Dates: January 22, 24, & {…}

Apr 28, 2026

Heidelberger Frühling Liedfestival 2026 Review: Il Giustino

(Photo: studio visuell) At 80-years-old, René Jacobs shows no signs of relinquishing his throne as the high priest of Baroque opera—a profound blessing for early music devotees. Following his acclaimed 2022 staged production with the Berlin Staatsoper Unter den Linden and Akamus, Jacobs has returned to “Il Giustino” (1724) for a European concert tour, this time partnering with the Freiburger {…}

Mar 6, 2026

Thomas Hampson, Eleonora Buratto, Sasha Cooke & Louise Alder Lead Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 2026-27 Season

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2026-27 season. Klaus Mäkelä conducts Thomas Hampson in a program of music by Gabrieli, Stravinsky, and Walton. Performance Dates: Oct. 8 & 9, 2026 Klaus Mäkelä conducts Thomas Hampson in a program of music by Stravinsky, and Walton. Performance Date: Oct. 10, 2026 Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider conducts Brahms’ German Requiem with Louise Alder and Konstantin Krimmel. {…}

Apr 14, 2025

Teatro Real 2024-25 Review: Mitridate (Cast B)

The title role of “Mitridate” is by far the most difficult Mozart role and one of the hardest of the entire tenor repertoire. It requires extreme security in the high register, as it is constantly going up to high Bs and high Cs, and a strong middle and low register, too. Teatro Real‘s production featured tenor Siyabonga Maqungo in the {…}

Apr 5, 2024

Siyabonga Maqungo Stars in The Songmakers’ Guild’s ‘A Poet’s Journey’

The Songmakers’ Guild presents “A Poet’s Journey” with tenor Siyabonga Maqungo. Maqungo and pianist Florian Uhlig perform a program showcasing two masterpieces of German Lieder: Beethoven’s “An die ferne Geliebte” and Schumann’s “Dichterliebe.” A Poet’s Journey” is the the Songmakers’ Guild’s second installment of Schumann’s ‘Dichterliebe.” Countertenor Clint Van der Linde and harpist Vincianne Degroote opened the series back in Feb. {…}

Mar 31, 2023

Anna Netrebko, Marina Rebeka, Sonya Yoncheva & Elīna Garanča Lead Staatsoper Unter den Linden’s 2023-24 Season

Berlin’s Staatsoper Unter den Linden has announced its 2023-24 season. The season will showcase numerous revivals and new productions. Premieres Calixto Bieito directs a new production of Verdi’s “Aida” with Grigory Shkarupa, Elīna Garanča, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Marina Rebeka, María José Siri, Yusif Eyvazov, Ivan Magrì, René Pape, Erwin Schrott, Vladislav Sulimsky, and Alfredo Daza. Nicola Luisotti conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. {…}

Mar 24, 2023

CD Review: Sondra Radvanovsky & Jonas Kaufmann’s ‘Turandot’

There is no shortage of good and, sometimes, exceptional recordings of Puccini’s “Turandot,” with aficionados generally swaying between Molinari-Pradelli’s studio release (with Franco Corelli and Birgit Nilsson) and Mehta’s landmark take from 1972. Add to this Franco Ghione and, in excerpts, Barbirolli’s visceral “Turandots” from the pre-war period, and nearly all aspects of Puccini’s swan song – from the ritualistic {…}

Nov 4, 2021

Matthias Goerne, Caroline Wettergreen & Gyula Orendt Lead Staatsoper Berlin’s ‘Die Zauberflöte’

(Credits: © Marie Staggat, Deutsche Grammophon / Bayerische Staatsoper official website / Gregor Hohenberg) The Staatsoper Unter den Linden will present the August Everding’s production of Mozart‘s singspiel “Die Zauberflöte” in December 2021. The opera stars Matthias Goerne and Grigory Shkarupa in the role of Sarastro; Siyabonga Maqungo and Peter Sonn as Tamino; Caroline Wettergreen as Die Königin der Nacht; {…}

May 24, 2021

Anja Kampe, Marcelo Álvarez, Michael Volle & Evelin Novak Lead Staatsoper Berlin’s Summer Festival

(Credit: Staatsoper Berlin official website / Marcus Ebener) Staatsoper unter der Linden has announced that it will end the 2020-21 season with a festival set to take place from June 13 until July 3, 2021. Puccini‘s opera “La fanciulla del West” will open the festival with the premiere scheduled for June 13. The showcase is set to star Anja Kampe {…}

Oct 23, 2020

Caroline Wettergreen Steps In For Two Performances of ‘Die Zauberflöte’ At Staatsoper Berlin

(Credit: Trond Gudevolt) The Staatsoper unter der Linden has announced that coloratura soprano Caroline Wettergreen will take over the role of Die Königin der Nacht in Mozart and Schikaneder’s “Die Zauberflöte” for the performances on Dec. 27, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. CET, and Jan. 10, 2021. Wettergreen will replace Antonina Vesenina and join a cast that includes René Pape in {…}

Oct 8, 2020

Mojca Erdmann Takes Over ‘Die Zauberflöte’ At Staatsoper Berlin

(Credit: Felix Broede) The Staatsoper unter der Linden has announced that soprano Mojca Erdmann will take over the role of Pamina in Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” on Dec. 27, 2020, and Jan. 6, 8, 10 & 14, 2021. Erdmann will replace soprano Evelin Novak. Erdmann wil join a cast that includes René Pape in the role of Sarastro, Siyabonga Maqungo as {…}