(Credit: Javier de Real) Some operas carry the weight of national myth—and that weight can obstruct a purely musical experience. Smetana’s “The Bartered Bride” is very much one of them. When it was first performed in Prague in 1866, the Czech nation had no state of its own, and this first opera in the Czech language became something far greater {…}
Svetlana Aksenova is a name that, in today’s operatic world, has become synonymous with a rare synthesis of flawless vocal command and confessional dramatic truth. A soprano from St. Petersburg, she trained at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory, where she first drew critical attention as a student with her performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Iolanta.” Aksenova belongs to that select category of artists often {…}
(Photo Credit: © Forster) The premiere of “The Tale of Tsar Saltan” at the Teatro Real de Madrid became an extraordinary event. Dmitri Tcherniakov offered the audience a new interpretation of the famous opera by Rimsky-Korsakov, transforming it from a fairy-tale into a psychological drama. The director boldly departs from familiar images and, like a surgeon, reveals the hidden meanings {…}
The Teatro Real de Madrid is set to host the 2022 International Opera Awards on Nov. 28, 2022. This is the first time in the awards’ history that they will be presented outside of the United Kingdom. “The International Opera Awards have always been international with winners from around the world as opera is one of the most international of {…}
(Credit: Theater an der Wien official website) Soprano Svetlana Aksenova will replace Angel Blue in the role of Mimì in Puccini’s “La bohème” at the Bayerische Staatsoper for the performances on Jan. 5, 7 & 9, 2022. Aksenova joins a cast that includes Emily Pogorelc in the role of Musetta, Evan LeRoy Johnson as Rodolfo, Roman Burdenko as Marcello, Andrei {…}
This week audiences will get to listen to rare repertoire, new works, and a holiday classic. Here is a look at this week’s new releases. Spring Night Solo Musica releases Lena Belkina new album accompanied by pianist Natalia Sidorenko. The album is devoted to romances written by Peter Tchaikovsky and Sergei Rachmaninov. The new CD marks her third solo album. {…}
CueTV is set to present “Zazà” starting on Nov. 4, 2021. The Leoncavallo opera is a performance from the Theater an der Wien that dates from 2020. The opera was directed by Christof Loy with conductor Stefan Soltész leading a cast that includes Svetlana Aksenova, Enkelejda Shkosa, Dorothea Herbert, Juliette Mars, Nikolai Schukoff, Vittoria Antonuzzo, Christopher Maltman, Tobias Greenhalgh, Paul {…}
(Credit: Rossini Opera Festival) CueTV has announced streams for the month of August. The month will open with Verdi’s “Aida” from the Macerata Opera Festival on August 12. The opera stars Luciano Ganci, Maria Teresa Leva, and Veronica Simeoni. Boito’s “Nerone” will be presented from the Bregenz Festival on August 19 starring Rafael Rojas, Lucio Gallo, Brett Polegato, Svetlana Aksenova, {…}
(Credits: GoDirect Artists Management official website / Pia Clodi / Linda Rabisch) After a six-month hiatus, the Theater an der Wien – Das Opernhaus will open its doors to the public on Sep. 16 2020 with a new production of Leoncavallo’s opera “Zazà.” The performance will star Svetlana Aksenova, Christopher Maltman, Dorothea Herbert, Nikolai Schukoff, Enkelejda Shkosa, Juliette Mars, Tobias {…}
(Credits: Gregor Hohenberg/Sony / Rachel Harnisch official website / LA Opera official website / Deutsche Oper am Rhein official website) Stadtcasino Basel has announced its 2020-21 season. For the purpose of this article we will focus only on the vocal works. Here is the full rundown. Baritone Christian Gerhaher will perform works by Schoeck, Moser, and Schubert. Heinz Holliger conducts {…}
The Theater an der Wien has announced its 2020-21 season featuring 13 new productions, chamber opera, and opera in concert. Productions The season opens with Leoncavallo’s “Zazà” starring Svetlana Aksenova in the title role, Nikolai Schukoff, Christopher Maltman, Dorothea Herbert, and Enkelejda Shkosa. Stefan Soltész conducts the new production by Christof Loy. Performance Dates: Sept. 16-27, 2020 Wayne Marshall conducts {…}