Q & A: Intendant Thomas Bockelmann On COVID-19 Safety Protocols at Staatstheater Kassel

(Photo Credit: Staatstheater Kassel) When COVID-19 spread quickly across the globe earlier this year, the entire opera world was forced into a lengthy shutdown. And despite continued concerns over the deadly virus, companies slowly found ways to return to some degree of normalcy. Thomas Bockelmann, the Intendant of the Staatstheater Kassel, took on this challenge head-on and recently spoke to {…}

Sep 7, 2020

Doris Soffel to Star in ‘Elektra’ at Wiener Staatsoper

(Credit: Boris Streubel) The famed German mezzo-soprano Doris Soffel will appear in the role of Klytämnestra in Richard Strauss’ opera “Elektra” at the Wiener Staatsoper on September 8, 2020. Doris Soffel is one of the leading Wagnerian and Straussian singers, having taken on such roles as Kundry in “Parsifal,” Ortrud in “Lohengrin,” and Fricka and Erda in the composer’s iconic {…}

Aug 5, 2020

Q & A: Tanja Ariane Baumgartner on Klytämnestra at Salzburg, the ‘New Normal’ After COVID-19

(Credit: Dario Acosta NY) German mezzo-soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner is one of the most sought-after opera singers of our time. Baumgartner has been a member of the ensemble at Oper Frankfurt since the 2009-10 season. During her time in Frankfurt, Tanja Baumgartner made appearances in numerous operas including “Carmen,” “Giulio Cesare in Egitto,” “Don Carlo,” “Medea,” “Die Frau ohne Schatten,” {…}

Apr 28, 2020

Q & A: Ronnita Miller On Singing The Ring Cycle & Being An Ensemble Member at the Deutsche Oper Berlin

Credit: Simon Pauly ***Editorial Note – This interview was conducted as part of series of interviews dedicated to previewing the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ring Cycle. Unfortunately, that performance was canceled, but out of respect to the time put into this project by the artists and organizations, we will endeavor to publish the over coming days and weeks.(Given the context, interview {…}

Apr 15, 2020

Q & A: Soprano Laura Wilde on the Challenges of Wagner, Why Janáček Should Be Standard Repertory & The Future

(Credit: Gillian Riesen) ***Editorial Note – This interview was conducted as part of series of interviews dedicated to previewing the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ring Cycle. Unfortunately, that performance was canceled, but out of respect to the time put into this project by the artists and organizations, we will endeavor to publish the over coming days and weeks.(Given the context, {…}

Apr 6, 2020

Palau de les Arts to Stream The Ring Cycle

(Credit: © Tato Baeza) The Palau de les Arts is set to continue its streaming with Wagner’s Ring Cycle. The Ring Cycle will kick off on April 6 with Das Rheingold at 6 p.m. followed by “Die Walküre” on April 8 and “Siegfried” on April 10. The Ring comes to end on April 12 with “Götterdämmerung.” The famed produced by {…}

Mar 16, 2020

Q & A: Soloman Howard On Singing The Ring Cycle & the Lyric Opera of Chicago

(Credit: Jon Adjahoe) ***Editorial Note – This interview was conducted as part of series of interviews dedicated to previewing the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ring Cycle. Unfortunately, that performance was canceled, but out of respect to the time put into this project by the artists and organizations, we will endeavor to publish the over coming days and weeks.(Given the context, {…}

Mar 8, 2020

Q & A: Sir Andrew Davis on Conducting The Ring Cycle in Chicago

Ever since 2000, Sir Andrew Davis has served as the Music Director and principal conductor for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He has led a diverse repertoire from Mozart and Rossini to Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky with the company and has established the orchestra as one of the greats in the United States and the world. He has also led the {…}

Feb 21, 2020

Opéra National de Paris Announces Ring Cycle Cast Changes

The Opéra National de Paris has announced several cast changes for its upcoming production of The Ring Cycle. The company announced that Natalia Skrycka will replace Christina Bock as Waltraute in “Die Walküre” while Michaela Schuster replaces Sarah Connolly as Waltraute and the second Norn in “Götterdämmerung.” Finally, Martina Serafin will replace Ricarda Merbeth on Nov. 28 as Brünnhilde in {…}

Jan 5, 2020

Kent Nagano To Lead Period Reading Of The Ring Cycle

(Credit: Felix Broede) Kent Nagano is set to lead the Ring Cycle under very unique circumstances. The conductor will make history by leading the Concerto Köln in a performance played on early-19th century instruments with gut strings. Performances will begin in 2021 with each opera presented in a semi-staged version at the Kölner Philharmonie. The operas will also be performed {…}

Aug 26, 2019

Artist Of The Week: Tommi Hakala

The Ring Cycle is one of the biggest operatic undertakings in the operatic repertoire. It’s always a special event especially when it is being shown in a new production. It’s a chance for a conductor and director to reinterpret the gigantic tetralogy and an opportunity for audiences to see something new from the work. Such a mammoth undertaking also allows {…}