Weekend Preview – International (9/22-24): Plácido Domingo, Thomas Hampson And Peter Mattei Headline Productions

This weekend will be filled with new productions, an opening night in Zurich and, as always, many great stars. Austria Olga Peretyatko-Mariotti headlines “La Traviata” at the Vienna State Opera with Jean-François Borras and Paolo Rumetz. At the Volksoper, “Die Zauberflöte,” “Gypsy” and “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” will be shown this weekend. Belgium Anna Caterina Antonacci will sing her signature {…}

Sep 18, 2017

CD / DVD Releases – Week of Sept. 18: Rolando Villazón, Thomas Hampson, Strauss, Jake Heggie & A Baroque Specialist Take Centerstage

After a week of releases dominated by Maria Callas, European opera lovers are getting a ton of options for quality recordings from the world’s greatest artists. In the US, one major CD release will steal headlines. Duets Rolando Villazón and Ildar Abdrazakov’s new duets, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin will arrive on shelves in the US this week and features duets {…}

Sep 8, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (9/8-10): The Finnish, Dutch and Paris Operas Open New Seasons

This weekend a number of companies open their 2017-18 season featuring some of today’s biggest stars while other companies open new productions. Austria The Vienna State Opera’s continues its season with “Chowanschtschina” starring Ferruccio Furlanetto, Christopher Ventris, Herbert Lippert, Andrzej Dobber, Ain Anger, and Elena Maximova. The company also presents “Le Nozze di Figaro” with Carlos Álvarez, Dorothea Röschmann, and Adam {…}

Jul 28, 2017

Social Media Beat (Week 721/-27): Find Out Who Was Rehearsing & Who Celebrated Award Wins

The world’s greatest opera singers are immersed in a wide range of activities as the summer season hits its apex. Some are on vacation, while others are rigorously rehearsing for upcoming performances. Anna Netrebko previewed a section from “Aida” on her Instagram. The clip showed Netrebko in the rehearsal room alongside her colleagues and Riccardo Muti conducting. “Aida” opens on {…}

Jul 26, 2017

Thomas Hampson Replaced In Verbier Festival’s ‘Elektra’

Eric Owens will be replacing Thomas Hampson as Oreste in the Verbier Festival 2017’s performance of “Elektra” on July 27, 2017. Hampson was originally slated to perform the role when the cast was originally announced but has since been replaced by Owens, who has sung the role prominently around the world. He was widely praised for his portrayal at the {…}

Jul 21, 2017

Maria Rebeka Announces New ‘La Traviata’ DVD For Naxos

Marina Rebeka has announced the release of her “La Traviata” from Hannover. The soprano tweeted about the recording stating, “A video recording of ‘La Traviata,’ from last year’s performance in Maschpark in Hannover, is now available.” The DVD is being released by Naxos and also stars Francesco Demuro and Thomas Hampson. The semi-staged concert performance is conducted by Kerri-Lynn Wilson. {…}

Jul 3, 2017

CD/DVD Releases -Week of July 3: Anna Netrebko And Sonya Yoncheva Headline Two New Releases

This week two of the great Divas of today will see DVDs released. The first work will be from Wagner while the other one will be by Offenbach. Lohengrin After months of waiting, Anna Netrebko’s debut as Elsa in “Lohengrin” will be released by Deutsche Grammophon. The DVD from the Dresden Semperoper also stars Piotr Beczala in the title role {…}

Jun 28, 2017

Five Amazing Things About Thomas Hampson You Didn’t Know

Thomas Hampson, born on June 28, is one of the great American singers of the past few decades. He has dominated many of the famed baritone roles, constantly expanding his own limits of what many have thought possible. But Hampson’s career has not been limited to what he can do in the opera house or concert hall. He has sought {…}

May 30, 2017

Sonya Yoncheva And Vittorio Grigolo Star In New Sony Classical Release

Sony Classical will be releasing the Royal Opera House’s “Les Contes D’Hoffmann.” The production stars Vittorio Grigolo in the title role as well as Sonya Yoncheva as Antonia. Kate Lindsey, Thomas Hampson, Christine Rice, and Sofia Fomina also star in the production, which was conducted by Evelino Pido. When the production opened last fall, critics were ecstatic and said, “Vittorio Grigolo {…}

May 26, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (5/26-28): Anna Netrebko, John Chest, Roberto Alagna and Vittorio Grigolo Headline Acclaimed Productions

Want some Anna Netrebko in your weekend? Want to see a rising new star who will be a major player in June at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition? Or simply looking for opera on your travels? Here is what is in store this weekend around the world. Austria The Vienna State Opera kicks off its weekend presenting {…}

May 12, 2017

Weekend Preview – International (5/12-14): Olga Peretyatko and Stephen Costello Reunite For Verdi’s ‘La Traviata’

The weekend has a number of operatic classics being offered even though many companies are in the midst of ballet season. Take a look as there is something for everyone. Austria The Vienna State Opera is in Ballet mode but will present Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” with Olga Bezsmertna, Christopher Maltman, Pavol Breslik and Mika Kares. Czech Republic The Prague National Opera {…}

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