This review is for the performance on March 24, 2019. The crux of its concept a curse, Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” relies on motifs as portentous as ravens. With its harrowing theme of inescapable fate rearing its head in the overture, the early murder of the Marquis of Calatrava heralds the “maledizione:” a hounding lethal curse that will hunt {…}
The Teatro Real de Madrid has made a major casting change for its upcoming production of Verdi’s “Falstaff.” Nicola Alaimo, who was originally scheduled to take on the title role of Falstaff, will no longer perform. Per Platea Magazine, the bass-baritone has canceled due to health reasons. In his stead, the company has brought in two singers to share the {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper revealed its 2019-20 season, which unsurprising features dozens of operas. Almost every single one is impeccably cast, but few standout as the must-see showcases of the season. 7 Deaths of Maria Callas Maria Callas is more than an operatic icon at this point – she’s a legend and this work seems intent on exploring that very nature {…}
Verdi’s “Attila” had its world premiere on March 17, 1846, and was loved by the public, earning productions all over Italy. However, it waned in the 20th century, falling out of favor and only receiving revivals when used as a vehicle for famed basses who have gravitated toward the complex title role. The opera’s world premiere cast included bass Ignazio {…}
Antonietta Stella was one of the most underrated singers of her era. Born on March 15, 1929 in Perugia, Italy, the soprano studied at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia and made her professional debut in Spoleto in “Il Trovatore” in 1950;. A year later she appeared in Rome in “La Forza del Destino” and immediately kicked off a major {…}
“Simon Boccanegra” is one of Verdi’s most divisive operas. Many consider it among his greatest works, while others find it a major bore. The opera had its world premiere on March 12, 1857, in a version that was received very poorly. The original reaction was so negative that the opera was quickly forgotten. But Verdi endured and before working with {…}
For many operagoers, “Don Carlo” is Verdi’s most Shakepearean work, pitting a wide-range of powerful characters against one another in an equally complex backdrop of European affairs. The opera had its world premiere on March 11, 1867 in Paris. However, it was an extremely long opera and was never performed in its entirety during that initial run. Verdi would then {…}
Verdi’s “Ernani” is one of the composer’s most recognized works from his early period. The opera had its first performance on March 9, 1844 and has managed to hold the stage since thanks to its varied melodic qualities for the four lead characters. In the context of Verdi’s oeuvre, this work is also the first to feature the composer at {…}
Baritone Mark Cotton has been performing opera for 30 years, garnering acclaim around the United States for his portrayals in some of the greatest operas. Having studied with such greats as Carlo Bergonzi and Franco Corelli, Cotton has performed the roles of Falstaff in Otto Nicolai’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” Germont in “La Traviata,” Valentin in “Faust,” Belcore in {…}
The Arena di Verona has announced its casting for its star-studded 97th annual festival. La Traviata Four sopranos will share the leading role of Violetta Valéry, including Aleksandra Kurzak, Irina Lungu, Lisette Oropesa, and Lana Kos, while four tenors will share the role of Alfredo Germont, including Pavel Petrov, Vittorio Grigolo, Raffaele Abete, and Stephen Costello. Leo Nucci, Simone Piazzola, {…}
Verdi and Piave’s “La Traviata” is easily a “top five opera” on the planet when it comes to performances. It premiered on March 6, 1853 and was based on a play adapted from “La Dame aux Camélias’ by Alexandre Dumas fils. Given that the subject matter was so contemporary, the work turned out to be a major flop at its {…}