Puccini’s “Messa di Gloria” is not the unjustly belittled opera in disguise which musicologists, for decades, have made it to be. They objected to the unbefittingly ariose “Gratias agimus,” as well as the mass’ compilatory structure. For a “Mass of Glory,” strictly speaking, only contains the Kyrie and Gloria sections; Puccini, however, adopts all five movements of mass, and {…}
It has been 23 years since Daniel Barenboim offered three performances of Wagner’s comedy at Teatro Real. It was the first Laurent Pelly Wagner production, and therefore the expectations were high. And the result did not disappoint an enthusiastic audience which gave strong ovations at the curtain call. Pelly is a master in “comedy” and he recognizes that he doesn’t {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has found a replacement for its production of “Der Fliegende Holländer.” The company said, “the Festival management is extremely pleased that Tomislav Mužek was prepared at very short notice to take over the role of Erik from Andreas Schager, who in turn is standing in for the ill Joseph Calleja in the title role of the new {…}
Semperoper Dresden is set to present a concert performance of Verdi’s “Attila” for the first time in the company’s history. The famed Verdi opera will feature Georg Zeppenfeld, Andrzej Dobber, Anna Smirnova, Tomislav Mužek, Timothy Oliver, and Tilmann Rönnebeck, under the baton of Jordi Bernàcer. Zeppenfeld will be making his role debut as the title character while Mužek will take {…}
(Credit: Johannes Ifkovits) Polish bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny will replace Sir Bryn Terfel in the title role of Wagner‘s “Der Fliegende Holländer” at the Bayerische Staatsoper’s Opera Festival on July 7, 2021. No immediate reason was given for the cancellation. However, current arrivals from United Kingdom to Germany have been banned except for the German nationals and residents due to the {…}
(Credit: Bayerische Staatsoper official website) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced the cancellation of the performances of Puccini‘s “Turandot” and Wagner‘s “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” that were scheduled for July 12, 15, and July 29, 2021, respectively. The two operas were slated to be performed as part of the Münchner Opernfestspiele. The opera house also announced that the production of Verdi’s {…}
(Credits: Semperoper Dresden official website) The Semperoper Dresden has announced that it will reopen its doors for live audiences in June 2021. The opera house will present the Josef E. Köpplinger’s production of Mozart‘s singspiel “Die Zauberflöte.” The opera will star Evelin Novak and Tuuli Takala in the role of Pamina, Tomislav Mužek, Joseph Dennis and Sebastian Kohlhepp as Tamino, {…}
The New National Theatre, Tokyo has announced its 2021-22 season The new season will include 45 performances of 10 operas, including three new productions. The season is the fourth under Artistic Director Kazushi Ono. New Productions Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” will be directed by Jun Aguni and conducted by Maurizio Benini. René Barbera headlines the cast, which will include Aya Wakizono, {…}
Talents of the World has announced the lineup for its 3rd International Music Festival. Normally held at Carnegie Hall, this year’s festival will instead be presented virtually, and will feature a number of renowned and emerging artists. The festival will open on December 12 with “Classical Christmas with the Stars,” a program of arias, duets, and ensemble numbers that celebrate {…}
(Credits: Lourdes Balduque / Angel Blue Facebook page/ Cosmin Gogu) The Semperoper Dresden has announced a revised program for November and December 2020. The opera house will present three new productions, Mozart’s singspiel “Die Zauberflöte,” Udo Zimmermann’s “Weiße Rose,” and Simone Fontanelli’s “Pinocchio.” Here is the look. Mozart’s singspiel “Die Zauberflöte” will star René Pape, Nikola Hillebrand, Tuuli Takala, Sebastian {…}
The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced that tenor Marc Laho will replace Tomislav Mužek on Nov. 8, 2019 in “Les Contes d’Hoffman.” Laho is a Belgian lyric tenor who made his Deutsche Oper Berlin debut in 2004 and has sung in such operas as “Don Pasquale” and “La Favorite,” among others. He has also appeared at the Opera Royal de {…}