Benjamin Britten’s “Gloriana” was supposed to be one of his great triumphs. The composer himself is quoted, prior to its premiere in 1953, that he saw it as his best work to that point (he had already written “Billy Budd” and “Peter Grimes,” mind you). It was composed for the regal occasion of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. It was one {…}
The Teatro Real has announced its 2018-19 season, featuring a number of repertory staples and rarities. The season will also include a number of superstars and modern classics. Here is a look at all the vocal highlights in the season. Productions The season opens with Gounod’s “Faust” with two different casts. Piotr Beczala and Ismael Jordi star in the title {…}
Soprano Lianna Haroutounian will no longer sing the role of “Aida” at the Teatro Real. The soprano, who was expected to perform the title role in the third cast of the production, has been replaced by Ana Lucrecia García. The Teatro Real gave no explanation for the change but it is the latest in a line of changes that have {…}
This marked my third time traveling to Madrid. What made this one unique was the number of Spanish flags in neighborhoods in the capital – a result of recent events in which autonomous Catalonia is seeking independence. That political backdrop brought further relevance to Calixto Bieito’s production of “Carmen,” seen at the beautiful Teatro Real on Thursday night. It’s a {…}
The Opera Platform is set to live stream the Teatro Real’s current production of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The live stream will take place on June 30 and will feature director Mario Gas’s production, which is set in a 1930’s film studio where they are working on a film adaptation of Puccini’s opera. Gas opens the opera’s plot up by adding {…}
The Teatro Real has finally announced its 2017-18 season, later than most other organizations. But the company has packed quite a punch for its upcoming showcase, with 13 operas on the docket. It all starts on Sept. 13 with Mozart’s rarely performed “Lucio Silla” directed by Claus Guth. The cast will be led by Patricia Petibon, who will sing five {…}
Bellini’s “I Puritani” returns to cinemas from the Teatro Real de Madrid. The broadcast, which was originally live streamed over the summer in 2016 on Facebook and in the main square of the Teatro Real, will be in cinemas from May 4 until May 7 throughout Spain. The opera stars Diana Damrau in the lead role of Elvira and Javier {…}
On March 31, the Teatro Real and Medici.tv will present Handel’s “Rodelinda” on the live stream platform. The performance will feature the new production by Claus Guth, which the director noted was inspired by a house in London in which Mike Jagger lived in. Guth also noted that he didn’t want to use a specific time period because the story of the opera {…}
On Dec. 7 Pablo Heras-Casado and Alex Olle will be live on Facebook to answer questions about the upcoming production of Wagner’s “Der Fliegende Hollander” at the Teatro Real de Madrid. Heras-Casado and Olle will talk about Wagner’s early work and what audiences should expect from the new production. They will also answer questions from audience members asked on Facebook, {…}