(Photo: A Zeltina) “Salome” undoubtedly stands as one of the most significant works in the history of German opera. The elements Wagner outlined in his works reached Strauss as a direct torrent of influence, and it is precisely in “Salome” where Strauss finally finds—after “Guntram” and “Feuersnot”—a personal, absolute, and unmistakably original musical language. I have always perceived in “Salome” {…}
(Credit: Marius Vepsta) The Teatro alla Scala has announced a cast change for its production of “Die Walküre.” The company said that “due to an indisposition, Elza van den Heever will be unable to perform in the performances of ‘Die Walküre.’ The role of Sieglinde will be sung by Vida Mikneviciute in her place.” Mikneviciute has performed with the Zürich {…}
The Festival Aix-En-Provence has announced its 2026 season. Opera Leonardo García-Alarcón conducts Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” with Clément Cogitore directing. The production will star Ying Fang, Mauro Peter, Sabine Devieilhe, Sean Michael Plumb, Brindley Sherratt, and Edwin Crossley-Mercer. Performance Dates: July 2-21, 2026 Klaus Mäkelä conducts Strauss’ “Die Frau one Schatten” in Barrie Kosky’s production. The cast will include Michael Spyres, Vida Miknevičiūtė, Nina {…}
(Credit: © Bettina Stöß) Medici.tv is set to stream the Deutsche Oper Berlin’s production of “Fedora” on Dec. 2, 2025. The production by Christof Loy will star Lithuanian soprano Vida Miknevičiūtė in the title role and American tenor Jonathan Tetelman as Ipanov. The cast also includes Julia Muzychenko and Navasard Hakobyan and will be conducted by John Fiore. Critics have {…}
The Palau de les Arts has announced its 2025-26 season. Lorenzo Viotti conducts Gounod’s “Faust” in a production by Johannes Erath. Iván Ayón-Rivas, Alex Esposito, Ruth Iniesta, Florian Sempey, and Ekaterine Buachidze. Performance Dates: Oct. 3-15, 2025 Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s “La descente d’Orphée aux enfers” will star Josipa Bilić, Camille Chopin, Sarah Fleiss, Tanaquil Ollivier, Sydney Frodsham, Richard Pittsinger, Bastien Rimondi, Attila {…}
(Credit: Deutsche Oper) The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced its 2025-26 season. Premieres Detlev Glanert ‘s “Die drei Rätsel” will be conducted by Dominic Limburg and directed by Brigitte Dethier. The production will star Martina Baroni, Philipp Jekal, Chance Jonas-O’Toole, Joel Allison, Padraic Rowan, Maria Vasilevskaya, and Alexandra Oomens. Performance Dates: Oct. 11, 2025-Feb. 15, 2026 Sir Donald Runnicles will {…}
The Orquesta y Coro Nacionales de España has announced its 2025-26 season. Here are the vocal performances. Concert Alban Berg’s “Wozzeck” will be conducted by David Afkham. Martin Winkler, Lise Lindström, Rodrigo Porras, Tansel Akzeybek, Jürgen Sacher, Stephen Milling, and Susana Gómez. Performance Dates: Oct. 3 & 5, 2025 Michael Laurenz, Christof Fischesser, Louise McClelland, Valentina Stadler, Tae Hwan Yun, {…}
The Finnish National Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. Premieres Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” will get a new production by Richard Jones and will be presented for the first time since 1996. The new Finnish translation by Mikko Koivusalo will star Tommi Hakala, Samuli Takkula, Tuija Knihtilä, Maiju Vaahtoluoto, Elli Vallinoja, Polina Liiv, Suvi Väyrynen, Emma Mustaniemi, Dan Karlström, and Roland Liiv. Antony Hermus conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. {…}
(Credit: Wiener Staatsoper) The Wiener Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its September run of Strauss’ “Salome.” The company said that Vida Miknevičiūtė will sing the title role on Sept. 21 and Jennifer Holloway will sing it on Sept. 23 and 25, 2024 replacing Simone Schneider, who was originally scheduled. Miknevičiūtė has performed the opera at the Victorian Opera, Bolshoi {…}
(Photo: Krzysztof Mystkowski) The journey to Opera Lesna – literally translated as Forest Opera – is an experience in itself. From Gdansk by car, bike or bus, you arrive in the parking lot of the forest and have to make a a short pilgrimage to the site – yes, there is an unintended resemblance to approaching the hallowed halls of {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week there will be two choices of Ring Cycles and a debut album by one of the greatest opera singers in the world. Carlos Simon: Songs of Separation The National Symphony Orchestra led by Music Director Gianandrea Noseda releases “Songs of Separation,” {…}