(Credit: Ray Burmiston / Decca Classics) There are few debuts at the Metropolitan Opera House in 2019-20 as hotly anticipated as that of soprano Lise Davidsen. Called a “voice in a million,” and a “Once in generation Wagnerian” by Opera Now, the Norwegian diva is renowned for her work in more dramatic repertory, including the works of Wagner and Strauss. {…}
This Friday, the Metropolitan Opera revives “The Queen of Spades” for the first time in 8 years. While the opera is often renowned for being a major tenor showcase, this year’s production is putting the spotlight on soprano Lise Davidsen, who will be making her Met debut. She will be the latest in a rather short line of sopranos to {…}
Yusif Eyvazov will be singing three performances of Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades” at the Metropolitan Opera this fall. According to the company’s official website, the tenor will take on the role on Dec. 8, 14, and 21; all three were previously intended for Aleksandrs Antonenko, who remains scheduled for the performances on Nov. 29, Dec. 2, and 5. Kristian {…}
The Royal Opera House has revealed the dates that audiences in the U.S. can catch some of their recent filmed performances. The company’s recent “The Queen of Spades” is set to hit major markets on March 12, 2019, while “La Traviata” will start appearing on March 19, 2019. “La Traviata” was a major success, featuring soprano Ermonela Jaho in a {…}
What would you choose: love or game? This is the central question facing Herman, the protagonist of “The Queen of Spades.” It’s also one that the authors had to confront. Pushkin wrote his story from a social perspective and analyzed how addiction can ruin lives. So in his analysis, Herman was an addicted player and Liza was just a victim. {…}
On Jan. 22, 2019, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden will present Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades” in cinemas around the world. The production will be directed by directed by Stefan Herheim whose previous work with the company includes “Les Vêpres Siciliennes” and will feature Aleksandrs Antonenko as Gherman; the Latvian tenor has previously performed in such operas as “Otello,” {…}
Bulgarian baritone Vladimir Stoyanov is one of the leading singers of his generation performing in many of the world’s leading companies. He has performed in such theaters as the Plovdiv Opera House, La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera, Berlin State Opera, Vienna State Opera, Zürich Opera, Teatro Real, La Fenice, Teatro Regio, Teatro Massimo, Royal Swedish Opera, and San Francisco Opera, {…}
While there have been a plethora of renowned Russian singers to dominate the opera world, a surprising few have been tenors. Among the tenors who have managed to establish an international career is Vladimir Galouzine, born on June 11, 1956. The dramatic tenor studied at the Novosibirsk Conservatory and started off his career with the corresponding opera company. As is {…}
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, born on May 7, 1840, is one of the most famous composers of all time. He’s best known for his symphonic work to be sure, but he was also a noted opera composer. He often adapted libretti himself and in all, composed 11 operas. His first opera, “The Voyevoda” was composed between 1867 and 1868. His final {…}
“The Queen of Spades” premiered on the same exact day as Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” though admittedly a few years later. The composer was already 11 years older between operas and the second work is far more nuanced in its orchestral colors and how the composer weaves together a far more complex plot. It remains the famed Russian composer’s second-most popular {…}
The last few years have been difficult for baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and his beloved opera fans, including yours truly. A brilliant actor with a rich and layered voice, Hvorostovsky is a consummate artist if there ever was one. Even on days when his voice is not at its peak (as was the case at the recent Metropolitan Opera gala), he {…}