Dame Sarah Connolly, Will Liverman, Roderick Williams, & Lucy Crowe Among Performers in Oxford International Song Festival 2024

(Photo credits: Crowley, Cadisch, & Simpson) The Oxford International Song Festival has announced its 2024 season lineup. Baritone Roderick Williams and pianist Natalie Burch open the Festival with Schubert’s “Schwanengesang.” Performance Date: October 11, 2024 Soprano Carolyn Sampson and pianist Joseph Middleton present a works by Robert and Clara Schumann. Performance Date: October 12, 2024 Dame Sarah Connolly and Joseph Middleton {…}

Jul 2, 2024

Natalie Dessay, Julie Fuchs, Sabine Devieilhe & Stéphane Degout Sign Manifesto Against Far Right Candidates in French Elections

Following the French elections, 500 French Classical Musical personalities signed a manifesto against the far right that won the first round of the National Assembly elections. Published in Télérama, the artists said, “Faced with the historical situation of our country following the dissolution of the National Assembly by Emmanuel Macron on June 9, we, artisans and actors in the world {…}

Jun 13, 2024

Karine Deshayes, Jacquelyn Wagner, Matthias Goerne & Patricia Petibon Lead Opéra National de Bordeaux ‘s 2024-25 Season

The Opéra National de Bordeaux has announced its 2024-25 Season. Opera The season opens with “Le Pavillon aux pivoines” with Guo Xaionan directing. Performance Dates: Oct. 17-19, 2024 “Il Cappello di paglia di Firenze” will be conducted by Salvatore Caputo and directed by Julien Duval. Performance Dates: Nov. 7-9, 2024 Lucie Leguay conducts “Les sentinelles” with Chloé Lechat directing. The {…}

May 21, 2024

Joyce El-Khoury, Adam Smith, Karine Deshayes & Sally Matthews Lead Opéra de Rouen Normandies 2024-25 Season

The Opéra de Rouen Normandie has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera Joyce El-Khoury stars in Verdi’s “Aida” alongside Adam Smith, Alisa Kolosova, Adolfo Corrado, and Nikoloz Lagvilava. Pierre Bleuse conducts the production by Philipp Himmelmann. Performance Dates: Sept. 27-Oct. 5, 2024 Sally Matthews, John Findon, Paula Murrihy, and Caroline Wettergreen headline Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos” with Ben Glassberg. The production {…}

Apr 10, 2024

Nadine Sierra, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, Asmik Grigorian & Marina Rebeka Lead London Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-25 Season

The London Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2024-25 season. Here are the vocal performances. Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Mahler’s Symphony No. 2. Performance Dates: Oct. 20 & 23, 2024 André J Thomas conducts the Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir and LSO Community Voices in music by Brandon Boyd, Nolan Williams, Margaret Bonds, Brandon Waddles, André J Thomas, Moses Hogan, Rosephanye Powell, Joe Pace, Carol Cymbala, Kurt Carr, Raymond Wise, and Frances Fonza Smith. Performance {…}

Apr 4, 2024

Anna Netrebko, Joyce DiDonato, Sondra Radvanovsky, Julia Bullock, Juan Diego Flórez, & Ermonela Jaho Lead Teatro Real’s 2024-25 Season

The Teatro Real de Madrid has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera Nicola Luisotti and Andrés Salado conduct Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur” in David McVicar’s production. The production will star Ermonela Jaho, Maria Agresta, Brian Jagde, Matthew Polenzani, Elīna Garanča, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Nicola Alaimo, and Manel Esteve. Performance Dates: Sept. 23-Oct. 11, 2024 Charpentier’s “David et Jonathas” will be performed in concert with Petr Nekoranec, Gwendoline Blondeel, Jean-Christophe {…}

Mar 22, 2024

Marion Cotillard, Jonas Kaufmann, Diana Damrau, Sonya Yoncheva, Juan Diego Flórez & Sabine Devieilhe Lead Philharmonie de Paris’ 2024-25 Season

The Philharmonie de Paris has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Orchestre de Paris Klaus Mäkelä conducts music by Beethoven, Peteris Vasks, and Tchaikovsky. Lisa Batiashvili is the soloist. Performance Date: Sept. 11, 2024 Stanislav Kochanovsky conducts a program of music by Tchaikovsky, Ravel, and Alexandre Tcherepnine. Golda Schultz stars. Performance Date: Oct. 9, {…}

Feb 22, 2024

Opéra Comique 2023-24 Review: Winterreise

(Photo: DR Rideau de fer) In theory, few programs are more proper for a Valentine’s Day that falls on Ash Wednesday than “Winterreise” in Opéra Comique. The romantic idealism of Valentine’s Day blends well with the bitter aftermath of carnival when all pleasures must be delayed for Lent. After a long run singing a scenic and orchestral version of Schubert’s {…}

Dec 6, 2023

Benjamin Bernheim Asmik Grigorian, Juan Diego Florez, Elīna Garanča & Cecilia Bartoli Lead Salzburg Festival’s 2024 Season

(Credit: © SF / Peter Rigaud) The Salzburg Festival has announced its 2024 Season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Opera Strauss’ “Caprricio” is set to be performed in concert form with Elsa Dreisig and Bo Skovhus as Countess and Count. The cast also includes Sebastian Kohlhepp (Flamand), Konstantin Krimmel (Olivier), Mika Kares (La Roche), Ève-Maud Hubeaux (Clairon), {…}

Nov 1, 2023

CD Review: B Records’ ‘La Belle Maguelone’

“La Belle Maguelone” or in German, “Die schöne Magelone,” is Brahms’ adaptation in 15 lieder of the Medieval romance of the troubadour Pierre, Count of Provence, and the Neapolitan Princess Maguelone. The story follows the well-trodden path of forlorn loves: Pierre falls head over heels for the beautiful Maguelone and as a token, presents her with three rings that his {…}

Oct 20, 2023

Juan Diego Flórez, Magdalena Kožená, Benjamin Appl & Lea Desandre Lead New CD/DVD Releases

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. For this edition, audiences will get to hear new recordings from three famed stars as well as a new opera designed for the 3D space. Folk Songs Magdalena Kožená releases her fourth Pentatone album “Folk Songs” which brings together folk-inspired song cycles from {…}

Stephane Degout