Johan Reuter, Susan Bullock, Natalya Romaniw, Elisabet Strid, Ricarda Merbeth & Russell Thomas Lead Finnish National Opera’s 2025-26 Season

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. {…}

Sep 16, 2024

Wiener Staatsoper Announces Cast Change for ‘Salome’

(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 {…}

Aug 8, 2024

Baltic Opera Festival 2024 Review: The Flying Dutchman

(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 {…}

Jun 8, 2024

Saioa Hernández, Anja Kampe, Pumeza Matshikiza Lead New CD/DVD Releases

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,” {…}

May 19, 2024

Liudmyla Monastyrska & Rafał Siwek Headline the 2024 Baltic Opera Festival

(Photo credit: LA Opera, Karpati&Zarewicz) The Baltic Opera Festival has announced its 2024 season lineup. Liudmyla Monastyrska and Rafał Siwek perform the lead roles in “Turandot.” Keri-Lynn Wilson conducts the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra. Waldemar Zawodziński directs. Performance Dates: July 20 & 25, 2024 (Forest Opera in Sopot) Natalia Babińska’s production of Engelbert Humperdinck, “Hansel and Gretel” is next. The cast {…}

Mar 29, 2024

Kristine Opolais, Vida Miknevičiūtė, Tuomas Pursio & Stefan Pop Lead Finnish National Opera’s 2024-25 Season

The Finnish National Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. Premieres Leevi Madetoja’s “The Ostrobothnians”, which is known as Finland’s “national opera” will be directed by director Paavo Westerberg. The cast will include Jukka Rasilainen, Ville Rusanen, Jussi Vänttinen, Johanna Lehesvuori, Maria Turunen, Iida Antola, Päivi Nisula, Tuomas Pursio, Aarne Pelkonen, Ilkka Hämäläinen and Mika Pohjonen. The Orchestra of the Finnish National {…}

Mar 26, 2024

Brandon Jovanovich, Elena Stikhina, Anna Bonitatibus & Christian Gerhaher Lead Opernhaus Zürich’s 2024-25 Season

Opernhaus Zürich has announced its 2024-25 season. Premieres Samuel Penderbayne’s “Wir pfeifen auf den Gurkenkönig” will be conducted by Thomas Barthel and Ann-Katrin Stöcker. Claudia Blersch directs the production which will star Liliana Nikiteanu, Sylwia Salamonska, Irène Friedli, Philipp Mayer, Stanislav Vorobyov, Valeriy Murga, Gary Martin, Martin Zysset, Carl Hieger, Christian Sturm, Indyana Schneider, Céline Akçağ, Sylwia Salamonska, and Rebeca {…}

Mar 16, 2024

Jonas Kaufmann, Elīna Garanča, Nicholas Brownlee, Lisette Oropesa, Pretty Yende & Christopher Maltman Lead Bayerische Staatsoper’s 2024-25 Season

The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2024-25 season. Premieres Tobias Krazter directs a new production of Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” with Nicholas Brownlee, Milan Siljanov, Sean Panikkar, Markus Brück, Matthias Klink, Matthew Rose, Timo Riihonen, Ekaterina Gubanova, Mirjam Mesak, and Wiebke Lehmkuhl. Vladimir Jurowski conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. 27, 2024-July 31, 2025 Damiano Michieletto directs Donizetti’s “La Fille du Régiment” with {…}

Jan 19, 2024

Javier Camarena, Vida Miknevičiūtė, & Elīna Garanča Lead New CD/DVD Releases

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week we get a Bel Canto album from a Metropolitan Opera musician, an Italian album by a leading tenor, a rare opera and a a complete performance of one of the great mezzos of our time. Here is a look! Bel Canto: {…}

Dec 28, 2023

Jonas Kaufmann Headlines Berlin Philharmonic New Year’s Eve Gala

The Berlin Philharmonic is set to broadcast its New Year’s Eve gala starring Jonas Kaufmann. The orchestra will stream the concert on Dec. 31, 2023 on its Digital Concert Hall and in over 350 cinemas in Germany and Europe. Audiences will also be able to hear the program on the radio on rbbKultur. Kaufmann will perform the role of Sigmund {…}

Jun 24, 2022

Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko, Diana Damrau, Ailyn Perez, & Sondra Radvanovsky Lead Teatro San Carlo’s 2022-23 Season

The Teatro San Carlo has announced its 2022-23 season. Here is a look at the performances. Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “Don Carlo” starring Matthew Polezani, Ernesto Petti, Ailyn Perez, Michele Pertusi, Elina Garanca, and Alexander Tsymbalyuk. Juraj Valcuha conducts the production by Claus Guth. Performance Dates: Nov. 26-Dec. 6, 2022 Lorezno Passarini conducts concert performances of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” {…}