“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features Alice Rohrwacher’s “Happy {…}
On April 20, 2019, audiences gathered at the Metropolitan Opera for one of the last few performances of this season’s run of Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata.” The nearly-full auditorium was abuzz and for a number of reasons. This new production by Michael Mayer opened in December to mixed reception, resuming its run in the beginning of April. Despite the gorgeous {…}
Komische Oper Berlin has announced its 2019-20 season. This season will celebrate Dionysus, the forefather and protagonist of Greek theatre, with new productions reflecting the entire spectrum of musical theatre. Chief Director Barrie Kosky comments, “. . . [O]nce we believe in the power of theatre and music, believe in their intoxicating, seductive, physical, emotional, and ultimately community-building impacts, once {…}
A few months back we took a look at some of the Oscar nominees that could potentially make for strong opera adaptations. Opera has been an artform that has often taken its greatest stories from other artforms. For a while, artists adapted their works from plays or myths. In more recent years, we have seen the development of operas based {…}
Pentatone has announced Michael Fabiano‘s first solo album. The company revealed that the tenor’s first solo album will feature music by Donizetti and Verdi. In a press release the company announced that the album will reveal “the strong ties between these two composers.” Among the operas featured on the CD will be Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “Poliuto” and “Maria di {…}
Aprile Millo is one of the great spinto sopranos of the late 20th century. Born in New York City to two singers on April 14, 1958, she became interested in music from an early age. She was invited to the San Diego Opera Center as an apprentice upon graduating from highly school and it was here that she started her {…}
The Verdi “Requiem” is an interesting work in the canon of both Verdi and choral music, for a number of reasons. It would certainly seem an unusual piece for the notoriously non-religious Verdi, who might even seem anti-clerical. Add to that the fact that the “requiem” — a hit, if you will, performed globally by Verdi, from Milan to Paris {…}
A year ago, we released a quiz dedicated to opera history. Obviously, there was no way to summarize all the information into just 10 trivia questions. We knew the day would come when we would be able to incorporate some other fun information in the form of another quiz. And that day has now come. Behold another trivia quiz made {…}
On April 2, 2019, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden will showcase its new production of “La Forza del Destino” in cinemas. The production, which is directed by Christof Loy stars Anna Netrebko and Jonas Kaufmann as the tragic lovers of Verdi’s epic opera. Alongside them will be Ludovic Tézier and Ferruccio Furlanetto. The production is conducted by Antonio Pappano. {…}
Verdi’s “La Traviata” will be showcased on PBS as part of the Great Performances at the Met. The broadcast is set for April 5, 2019 at 9 p.m. The opera showcases Diana Damrau as the tragic heroine in Michael Mayer’s new production. Juan Diego Flórez is Alfredo while Quinn Kelsey is his father Germont. The performance was hosted by Anita {…}
It has been announced that Vladimir Stoyanov will be replacing Luca Salsi in the Baden-Baden Festpielhaus’ Easter Festival production of Verdi’s “Otello.” The Bulgarian baritone will star as Iago in Robert Wilson’s new production, alongside Stuart Skelton in the title role, and Sonya Yoncheva as Desdemona. The production, which begins its run on April 13, will have its orchestration provided {…}
