Tim Mead, Reginald Mobley, & Nicole Heaston Headline Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale’s 2023-24 Season

(Photo credit: Andy Staples) The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale (PBO) has announced its 2023-24 season. PBO’s season focuses on the concept of “classical music in an encouraging and explorative environment.” While sticking to its roots, audiences will hear plenty of Baroque works along with other historically informed performances. The season opens with a reprise performance of “Garden of Good {…}

Mar 27, 2023

Jessye Norman, Tim Mead & Carolyn Sampson Lead New CD/DVD Releases

This week audiences will get a chance to hear unreleased recordings from one of the legendary sopranos of our time. There will also be new solo albums, world premieres, and rarely performed operas. Decca Classics to Release Jessye Norman – The Unreleased Masters Decca releases unreleased recordings of legendary soprano Jessye Norman. The set includes an extraordinary performance of “Tristan {…}

Mar 21, 2023

Adela Zaharia, Eric Cutler & Malin Byström Lead Dutch National Opera’s 2023-24 Season

The Dutch National Opera has released its lineup for the 2023-24 season. This season features many fan-favorite operas and premieres. Only vocal pieces are listed down below. Kicking things off is Kurt Veill’s “Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny.” Evelyn Herlitzius, Alan Oke, and Thomas Johannes Mayer are among the cast. Markus Stenz conducts with Ivo van Hove directing. Performance {…}

Mar 7, 2023

Teatro Real 2022-23 Review: Aquiles en Esciros

A recorded speech before the performance of “Aquiles en Esciros,” explained to the audience that this opera production reached its final stage rehearsals when the pandemic closed down the theatre for months. Not knowing how the situation would develop, the theater kept the sets on the stage for weeks before dismantling them. The opera composed by Francesco Corselli premiered in Madrid {…}

Jan 28, 2023

Tim Mead & Luiza Fatyol Lead New CD/DVD Releases

This week audiences will get a chance to hear a recording of Auber’s neglected opera, Rachmanioff’s music, and Vivaldi’s sacred works. Here is a look at this week’s new releases. All-Night Vigil The Clarion Choir releases its fourth recording, Rachmaninoff’s the All-Night Vigil on PENTATONE. The new recording comes following a lifelong dedication to the repertoire. The new album features {…}

Jun 10, 2022

Piotr Beczala, Alejandro Roy & Miren Urbieta-Vega Lead Fundación Baluarte’s 2022-23 Season

The Fundación Baluarte has announced its 2022-23 Season featuring ballet, theater, opera, and concerts. Here is a look at the vocal performances of the season. Emilio Arrieta’s “San Franco de Sena” will be performed in concert form with Alejandro Roy, Beatriz Díaz, Javier Franco, Frederic Jost, Julen Jiménez, Itsaso Loinaz, and Patricio Poncela. José Miguel Pérez Sierra conducts. Performance Date: {…}

Jun 2, 2022

Joyce DiDonato, Diana Damrau, Magdalena Kožená & Anja Harteros Lead Philharmonie Essen’s 2022-23 Season

The Philharmonie Essen has announced its 2022-23 season. Here is a look at the vocal and operatic highlights. Magdalena Kožená and Yefim Bronfman perform a recital of music by Brahms, Dvořák, Martinů, Mussorgsky, and Bartók. Performance Date: Sept. 5, 2022 Regensburger Domspatzen, Knabenchor Hannover, and Essener Domsingknaben perform in concert. Performance Date: Sept. 17, 2022 Evelyn Ziegler performs alongside Udo {…}

May 25, 2022

Rowan Pierce, Tim Mead Headline Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale 2022 Summer Tour

The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale has announced its 2022 summer tour. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal and operatic performances. The season kicks off with Händel’s “Dixit Dominus” under conductor Richard Egarr at Hovingham Hall in York. The performance will also feature the National Youth Chamber Choir of Great Britain. Performance Date: {…}

Oct 28, 2021

Anna Prohaska, Magdalena Kožená, Max Emanuel Cenčić, Eva Zaïcik & Reinoud Van Mechelen Lead Staatsoper Berlin’s Barocktage 2021

(Credit: Staatsoper Unter den Linden / Marcus Ebener) The Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin has announced its Barocktage. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on vocal works only. Here is a look. Baritone Adam Kutny kicks off the festival with the children opera “Theseus’ Reise in die Unterwelt.” Carolina Nees is the moderator. Performance Dates: Nov. {…}

Jun 21, 2021

Karine Deshayes, Sabine Devieilhe & Philippe Jaroussky Highlight Opéra de Rouen Normandie’s 2021-22 Season

(Credits: © Aymeric Giraudel / Fabien Monthubert / © Simon Fowler) Opéra de Rouen Normandie, France has announced its 2021-22 season. For the purpose of this article, we will only focus on the operatic and vocal performances. Here is the full slate. Opera and Musicals Verdi‘s “Il Trovatore” opens the season with Lionel Lhote as Count di Luna, Brigitta Kele {…}

May 14, 2021

Anna Caterina Antonacci, Cecilia Bartoli & Rolando Villazon Lead CD/DVD Releases

This week audiences can two Handel operas performed by some of the greatest baroque specialists. There is also a new recoding of Bizet’s “Carmen” featuring one of great interpreters of her generation. Rodelinda Handel’s 1725 hit opera is released with The English Concert and artistic director Harry Bicket. Lucy Crowe and Iestyn Davies are the devoted partners Rodelinda and Bertarido, {…}

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