The Oratorio Society of New York has announced its 2018-19 Carnegie Hall season. The organization, led by Kent Tritle, will kick off its season with a performance dedicated to the Centennial of the Armistice and of Polish Independence. The concert will feature Szymanowski’s “Stabat Mater” as well as Gorecki’s “Euntes Ibant et Flebant” and the “Dona nobis pacem” by Vaughan {…}
“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 is the Oscar–winning “La {…}
As the Metropolitan Opera company’s Summer Recital Series rolls on, the artists and crew took to Williamsbridge Oval Park in the Bronx for an afternoon of arias, duets, and a trio from some of opera’s most cherished composers. Kicking things off was tenor Gerard Schneider, singing “Questa o quella” from Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” This amorous aria made for a spirited opening, {…}
Born on June 26, 1916, baritone Giuseppe Taddei’s path to a successful career was rather unconventional. He studied in Rome and made his professional debut in “Lohengrin.” In 1942, he was conscripted into the army but returned to singing after World War II, appearing for two seasons in Vienna. He went to sing in London in 1947, followed by the {…}
This Saturday, the Vienna State Opera brings its season-long live stream series to an end with Verdi’s “Falstaff.” Per the official website, Verdi’s final masterwork will showcase Ambrogio Maestri in his signature role alongside Christopher Maltman as Ford. Among the other major stars of the showcase are Jinxu Xiahou, Olga Bezsmertna, Hila Fahima, and Monika Bohinec. James Conlon conducts Sir {…}
“Il Trovatore” never fails. From one note to the next, we have glory, love, pain, revenge, daring. Verdi didn’t miss. Say what you want about the twisting melodrama of a gypsy, a curse, stolen babies, a woman caught between two lovers. When you come down to it, you have opera to shout over. Last night at the Opéra National de {…}
Ivan Magrì will replace Juan Diego Flórez as the Duke of Mantua in Verdi’s “Rigoletto” at the Vienna State Opera. It will be his debut with the company. He will perform alongside Paolo Rumetz’s interpretation of the title role and Aida Garifullina, who will take on Gilda. Magrì has performed at the Bayerische Staatsoper, Staatsoper Berlin, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Teatro {…}
There were a plethora of great Italian mezzo-sopranos dominating the repertoire of Giuseppe Verdi in the mid-1900s. Fedora Barbieri was among those. Born on June 4, 1920 in Trieste, she quickly made her debut in Florence at age 20. She debuted at La Scala at age 22 but marriage derailed her career for two years. She re-emerged in 1945, becoming {…}
Update: Juan Diego Flórez recently announced that he is canceling his participation in this production. The original article follows. This Sunday, June 10, 2018, the Vienna State Opera streams a live performance of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” around the globe. The performance is part of the company’s season-long service straight from its website. Per the official website, the performance will star Juan {…}
This interview was conducted in collaboration with Francisco Salazar. Everyone knows what Jamie Barton can do. And if you don’t… The mezzo-soprano has firmly established herself over the past few years as one of the finest singing actresses on the planet, stealing scenes and garnering show-stopping applause with her incredible instrument and dramatic interpretation. She’s pulled off some historic feats {…}
On Sunday, May 27, 2018, Los Angeles Opera presented Giuseppe Verdi’s “Rigoletto” with a new cast of singers that was equal to those who sang the premiere. For this unusual situation, I found it necessary to return to the City of Angels for another look. Having attended a matinee performance, I write about it as our car speeds eastward away {…}
