Diana Damrau, Jamie Barton, & Elza van den Heever Among Highlights of London Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2019-20 Season

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, {…}

Feb 14, 2019

Stéphane Degout & ‘Les Troyens’ Win Big At Victoires De La Musique Classique 2019

Baritone Stéphane Degout has been named the Best Lyrical Artist of 2019 by Les Victoires de la Musique Classique, which took place on Feb. 13, 2019. Degout is coming off a tremendous 2018 that saw him star in the Opéra de Lyon’s production of “Don Carlo” in March. He then headed to the Royal Opera for “Lessons in Love and {…}

Nov 19, 2018

Teatro Real de Madrid 2018-19 Review: Faust

Teatro Real decided to open the 2018-19 season with Gounod’s “Faust,” an opera which have been staged only once in 2003 since the theatre reopened in 1997. The expectations were high, with a strong cast lead by the international star tenor Piotr Beczala and accompanied by Marina Rebeka and Luca Pisaroni; the young conductor Ed Ettinger was in charge of {…}

Jun 4, 2018

Leo Nucci, Stéphane Degout, Anna Pirozzi Among Major Stars At Opéra De Lyon’s 2018-19 Season

The Opéra de Lyon has recently announced its offerings for the 2018-19 season, which will feature staged productions, concerts, and the Opera Underground series. Here’s a look at what’s on offer for next season. Opera Boito’s “Mefistofele” opens the season with the company’s Music Director Daniele Rustioni leading the musical forces. Evgenia Muraveva takes on the two lead roles of {…}

May 11, 2018

Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend (5/11-13): Barbara Hannigan, Elina Garanca & Mariella Devia Headline

It’s a weekend of firsts with two major stars making major role debuts, while two other major stars headline an important world premiere. But it is also a weekend of endings as one of the greatest opera legends says goodbye to staged opera. Here is a look at what will definitely an incredibly unforgettable weekend. L’Italiana in Algeri-Teatro Colón, Argentina {…}

Apr 11, 2018

Opéra de Lyon 2017-18 Review – Don Carlos: Even With An Auto-Da-Fé, Christophe Honoré’s Production Never Catches Fire

“Don Carlos” or “Don Carlo?” In French or Italian? Four acts or five? Three hours or four? Paris, Naples, Milan or Modena version? Pas de deux or pas de nul? Verdi’s longest opera is so full of revisions, rewrites, authorized or impious corrections, it is impossible to nominate a definitive score. The master music dramatist tinkered with this opera for 20 {…}

Apr 3, 2018

CD / DVD Releases – Week of April 2: Marina Rebeka & Johan Botha Lead New Releases

This week, three interesting releases will be seen in the market. The first is from a rarely performed Verdi opera, then comes a one-act opera by Puccini, and finally, there will be a CD exploring French baroque opera. Here is a look! Luisa Miller Marina Rebeka continues her Artist in Residence with the Muncher Rundfunkorchester in the title role of {…}

May 24, 2017

Opera National Bordeaux To Feature Elina Garanca, Sonya Yoncheva & Benjamin Bernheim in 2017-18 Season

The Opera National Bordeaux has announced its 2017-18 season with a number of important stars headlining the year. The season starts off with Offenbach’s “La Vie Parisienne” on Sept. 23, 2017. The production by Vincent Huguet is set to star Anne-Catherine Gillet and Philippe Talbot. Marc Minkowski conducts. Paul Daniel leads a concert performance of Bellini’s “Il Pirata” with Joyce El-Khoury {…}

Feb 4, 2017

International Opera Awards Nominations 2017: Anna Netrebko, Lawrence Brownlee, Eric Owens and Riccardo Chailly Among Nominees

The International Opera Awards have announced its annual nominees with many of the greatest stars, companies and conductors getting nominated for the prestigious prize. This year Anna Netrebko and Anita Rachvelishvili will compete for the Best Female Singer award with Maria Bengtsson, Stéphanie d’Oustrac, Christiane Karg and Daniela Sindram. Netrebko’s nominations marks her third time she is up for this award. She was previously {…}

Stephane Degout