(Credit: Enrico Nawrath) And now we have entered the realm of the absurd. Those who read my reviews for “Das Rheingold” and “Die Walküre,” know that I was quite critical of director Valentin Schwarz’s approach, which proved hostile to the original libretto in most of his “creative” choices. But this production of “Siegfried” somehow managed to push beyond those limits {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has confirmed that Polish bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny will perform in the opening night of “Siegfried.” The company said, “After yesterday’s stage accident, Tomasz Konieczny is on the road to recovery and will sing the Wanderer as planned for tomorrow’s premiere of ‘Siegfried.’ We would like to take this opportunity to expressly thank Michael Kupfer-Radecky, who brilliantly saved {…}
The Polish National Opera has announced its 2022-23 season featuring six new productions and 15 revivals in opera and ballet. Here is a look at the opera productions. New Productions The company will present “Chorus Opera” with Rafał Bartmiński, Anna Terlecka-Kierner, and Dagmara Sokalska as the soloists. The production will feature music by Bizet, Leoncavallo, Mascagni, Moniuszko, Orff, Penderecki, Puccini, {…}
This week audiences will get to listen to three solo recitals from some rising stars and one of opera’s leading lieder singers. There are also two full opera DVDs starring leading singers. Here is a look at the new releases of the week. Mirages: The Art of French Song Champs Hill Records releases baritone Roderick Williams’ new album with acclaimed {…}
(Credit: Janáček Brno Festival) Janáček Brno Festival has announced its 2022 season. For the purpose of this article we will focus on the vocal works only. A double bill of “From the House of the Dead” and “Glagolitic Mass” spotlights Roman Hoza, Gianluca Zampieri, Tigran Hakobyan, Lukáš Bařák, Jan Šťáva, Kateřina Kněžíková, and Jarmila Balážová. Jakub Hrůša conducts a production {…}
The Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced its 2021-22 season which will include nine operas. First up will be Sven-Eric Bechtolf’s production of “Così fan tutte,” which will be conducted by Zubin Mehta. The opera will star Valentina Nafornita, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, Matthew Swensen, Mattia Olivieri, Benedetta Torre, and Thomas Hampson. Performance Dates: August 30– Sept. 4, 2021 Next up {…}
This week’s recommendations feature a operatic mini-series, a notable gala, a recital dedicated to songs of protest, another recital about the historic migration of African Americans from the South to the North, a concert of opera singers turning to jazz, and another concert focused on music of medieval times. And then there’s some Mozart, Rossini, and Wagner for good measure. {…}
MÜPA Budapest has announced its streaming slate for the month of June. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be mainly on operatic performances, all of them coincidentally (or not) of Wagner works. First up will be “Wagner Magic I.” which will star Iréne Theorin, Annette Dasch, Tomasz Konieczny, and Magnus Vigilius as they take on music from {…}
(Photo Credits: Emma Birski / OnP) Opéra National de Paris has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is the full slate. Operas “The Seven Deaths of Maria Callas” by Marina Abramovic will open the season. The showcase stars Nadezhda Karyazina, Selene Zanetti, Leah Hawkins, Adela Zaharia, Lauren Fagan, Gabriella Reyes, and Hera Hyesang Park. Yoel Gamzou conducts. Performance dates: Sep. 1 {…}
The Opernhaus Zürich has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is the full slate. Operas – Premieres Richard Strauss‘ “Salome” will star Elena Stikhina, Kostas Smoriginas, Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke, Michaela Schuster, Mauro Peter, and Siena Licht Miller. Simone Young conducts the production by Andreas Homoki. Performance dates: Sep. 12 – Oct. 17, 2021 Verdi‘s “Il Trovatore” will spotlight Quinn Kelsey, Marina Rebeka, {…}
The Royal Danish Opera has announced its 2021-22 season featuring new productions, world premieres, and experimental works. There will also be several international stars and household names. Productions “Opera i det fri” will be presented to open the season. Performance Dates May 21 – August 8, 2021 “Opera i Roskilde” will be part of the Out and About series. Performance {…}