The Lady Gaga of opera. A fashion Icon. An intense singing-actress. A glamorous personality. These are just some of the great descriptions that have also been placed upon star soprano Carmen Giannattasio. These are also some of the reasons for her rise in the opera world since her Operalia win in 2002. Sixteen years after that breakthrough, the soprano begins a {…}
San Francisco Opera has always been in love with Puccini’s “Tosca.” From 1932, when the War Memorial Opera House first opened its doors, until today, this opera has been its darling. Every Opera Director has wanted her on its stage; every dramatic soprano has wanted to perform her. The new production in San Francisco has set her in motion once {…}
Brian Jagde is one of today’s rising stars in the opera world and his powerful tenor has obtained raves. Today he is in high demand around the world and one of the roles that he has garnered him attention is that of Cavaradossi. Currently starring in San Francisco Opera’s new production of “Tosca,” Jagde will break the record this season {…}
Carmen Giannattasio is one of the consummate singing actresses of today, her soprano able to take on a wide range of repertoire that includes the works of Verdi, Puccini, Leoncavallo, Bellini, Rossini, and Donizetti. In recent years, we’ve seen her move into more dramatic territory with recent forays into such works as “I Masnadieri.” Now she is taking another step {…}
Cornell MacNeil, born on Sept. 24, 1922, would become one of the great American baritones in history. The Minnesota native always had an interest in a musical career but struggled with asthma through the age of 20. During the Second World War, he worked as a lathe operator before going on to study with baritone Fredrich Schorr. He would start {…}
“Tosca” is probably the greatest diva in the opera canon. The role is so iconic that most sopranos dream of performing it at some points in their respective careers. The work combines rich music with one of the most suspenseful acts in all of opera. It gives opportunities to sopranos to show off their vocal fireworks as well as their {…}
The title role in Puccini’s “Tosca” is quite possibly the biggest diva in all of opera. The role requires stamina, vocal prowess and an incredible singing actress who can convey all the complex emotions the character faces throughout the evening. It’s a role that every soprano dreams of and one that can elevate a career to stardom. It’s a role {…}
Carol Vaness’ is one of the United States’ great sopranos of the late 20th century. Born on July 27, 1952, in San Diego, she was off and running in her mid-20s when she first appeared with the San Francisco Opera. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at the California State Polytechnic University and her Masters at California State University Northridge. {…}
For many, there has never been a more beautiful lyric tenor voice than that of Giuseppe di Stefano. Luciano Pavarotti once stated that, “Di Stefano is my idol. There is a solar voice… It was the most incredible, open voice you could hear. The musicality of di Stefano is as natural and beautiful as the voice is phenomenal.” Born on July 24, {…}
There are only a few artists that have starred throughout the 21st century that could truly find themselves critic-proof. Anja Harteros is one of them. The German soprano, born on July 23, 1972, started voice training at age 14 in Gummersbach while still in school. Even before she had graduated high school, she was already performing concerts and by the {…}
Fair warning – you’ll notice that two countries dominate this weekend’s choices and among those, one opera crops up a bit. It’s a weekend with solid offerings all around, but our choices are filled with tremendous star power that was simply too potent to turn away from. Falstaff – Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, UK Verdi’s final masterpiece gets a {…}