Vesselina Kasarova has been appointed professor of the Vocal Music Department at the Seoul National University. The mezzo-soprano announced the news via social media stating, “A new era in my professional life. Vesselina Kasarova professor Seoul National University College of music.” The Bulgarian mezzo-soprano is one of the most recognized Bel Canto and Mozart interpreters of her generation having performed at the Wiener {…}
(Credit: Uwe Arens) The Staatstheater Wiesbaden in Germany has announced its 2021-22 season featuring new productions, revivals, and jung oper. Premieres Alexander Joel and Christoph Stiller conduct a new production of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” by Philipp M. Krenn. The work stars Aluda Todua, Aleksei Isaev, Cristiana Oliveira, Vesselina Kasarova, Jordanka Milkova, and Aaron Cawley. Performance Dates: Sept. 19, 2021-July 15, 2022 {…}
Sarasota Opera has announced the initial lineup for its 2021 summer movie series, which brings filmed performances of opera, orchestral, and musical theatre productions worldwide to the Sarasota Opera House. First among the opera selections will be Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier,” on June 6. This production was staged at the Festspielhaus in Baden-Baden, Germany. Director Herbert Wernicke and conductor Christian Thielemann {…}
The Dresden Music Festival has announced its 2021 slate, which will take place between May 14 and June 12. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be on operatic and vocal performances. It all kicks off with a concert performance of Strauss’ “Capriccio” starring Daniel Behle, Nikolay Borchev, Christa Mayer, Christoph Pohl, and Krassimira Stoyanova. Christian Thielmann conducts {…}
As most theaters worldwide remained closed due to the coronavirus, the International Vocal Competition ‘s-Hertogenbosch has announced that their annual competition will be pushed back to 2021, and their biennial Opera / Oratorio competition has been postponed to 2022. The decision is explained by IVC Director Ivan Kalmthout, who cites the impracticality of not only the social distancing measures but {…}
With opera companies remain closed, there is still plenty of opera that will be streamed this week. Here are our recommendations for the week. Don Pasquale – New National Theatre Tokyo (NOW) For those interested in some comedy, there is no doubt that “Don Pasquale,” Donizetti’s greatest comedy, is the best offering this week. The cast is top-notch, led by {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta/Deutsche Grammophon/Jiyang Chen) The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg has announce its 2020-21 season. As always we are highlighting the vocal performances of the season. Mikhail Petrenko and Behzod Abduraimov perform works by Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky. Performance Date: Sept. 16, 2020 Ottavio Dantone conducts Vivaldi’s “Il Tamerlano” with the Accademia Bizantina and Gesangssolisten. Performance Date: Sept. 29, 2020 Beethoven’s “Leonore” {…}
Credit: Uwe Arens/Dario Acosta/Tatyana Vlasova The Staatstheater Wiesbaden has announced its 2020-21 season featuring eight new productions, the Ring Cycle and a number of important revivals. Here is a look. Premieres Konrad Junghänel conducts a new production of Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” with Tilo Nest directing. Ioan Hotea and Antonio Garés share the role of the count while Silvia {…}
The International Vocal Competition ‘s-Hertogenbosch is set to take place between Nov. 28 and Dec. 6, 2020. The competition is aimed at international singers performing opera and oratorio. Among the jury members are such artists as Vesselina Kasarova, Deborah Polaski, Yue Liu, as well as artistic leaders Hein Mulders (Intendant Essen), Damià Carbonell Nicolau ,and Rosemary Joshua (Dutch National Opera). {…}
(Credit: Sven Helge Czichy) The Staatstheater Wiesbaden has announced its 2019-20 season, featuring seven new productions and a number of stars. Here is a look at what the season will offer. New Production Patrick Lange conducts a new production of Bizet’s “Carmen” by Uwe Eric Laufenberg. Lena Belkina stars in the title role with tenors Sebastien Gueze, Aaron Cawley, and {…}
The Mirjam Helin Competition has announced the jury for this year’s competition. This year, the jury will be led by an all-star line up of singers including Olaf Bär, Ben Heppner, Vesselina Kasarova, François Le Roux, Waltraud Meier, Deborah Polaski, and Kiri Te Kanawa. The competition’s Executive Director Marja-Leena Pétas-Arjava said in a press release, “Once again, the Mirjam Helin Competition {…}