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 {…}
Anna Netrebko has recently confirmed a plethora of major productions she will be taking on over the next few years. In an interview with the magazine Classica, the Russian diva announced that she will take on the role of Lisa in “The Queen of Spades” in Salzburg in either 2018 or 2019 with Mariss Jansons at the podium. She also {…}
Alexander Pushkin is one of the greatest authors in the history of the world. He is also one of the writers who has had the greatest impact in the world of opera. Perhaps only such authors as Victor Hugo or William Shakespeare have seen as many of their works adapted to the opera stage as has Pushkin. And while those other {…}
The Russian Opera Workshop has announced its summer season presenting two main operas and a number of masterclasses. The company will first present Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades” starting on June 27, with the run concluding on the 29th. It will then present Alexander Dargomyzhsky’s “Rusalka,” a rarely performed bel canto-inspired lyric opera starting August 1 and running through the 3rd. The company {…}