Richard Wagner is one of the most controversial figures in all of history, his antisemitic statements often creating staunch adversaries to his art. And just as the man was condemned for his abject racism, some of his operas have been at the heat of controversy. Take the “Ring,” for example, with many seeing Mime and Alberich as anti-semitic symbols. But {…}
Plácido Domingo’s conducting ambitions are expanding next season the legendary opera star conducts a full Wagner opera for the first time in his career in the composer’s own sanctuary. That’s right, Domingo is leading a Wagner opera in Bayreuth during the summer of 2018. The work of choice? “Die Walküre,” an opera he has performed previously in his career. In {…}
Looks like Piotr Beczala could be returning to the role of “Lohengrin” soon rather than later. The tenor is set to appear in the Zurich production of the opera on Sunday, but not quite in the way you might expect. Tenor Brandon Jovanovich is calling in sick, forcing producer Andreas Homoki to step onstage to play the part. But he {…}
During the first half of the 20th century, Kirsten Flagstad was THE Wagner soprano, her interpretations of the repertoire among the most famous of all time. Flagstad, for all her greatness, did not leave a lot of opera recordings, a true shame, especially considering the plethora of options available to singers shortly after her prime. The Metropolitan Opera did preserve {…}
Wagner in Miami. It has an interesting ring to it, mainly because you wouldn’t necessarily associate the intense heat of the ever-playful and carefree Floridian city with the philosophical and hyper-romantic German master of opera. But it’s 2017 and the Miami Music Festival (MMF), which is featuring a number of repertory classics, is hosting its second-ever Wagner Institute, a program {…}
This weekend, audiences not able to head to Munich will get a chance to see a live performance of Wagner’s “Tannhäuser” from the Staatsoper. The performance kicks off at 9:45 p.m. CET, though the performance officially kicks off at 6 p.m. local time on Sunday July 9 and features Kirill Petrenko at the podium, leading the production by Romeo Castellucci. {…}
There will be a new Fricka in town when the Boston Symphony Orchestra takes on Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” at Tanglewood. Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe is stepping in to replace Dame Sarah Connolly for the July 15, 2017, performance which will be conducted by Andris Nelsons. According to reports, Connolly is withdrawing due to illness. The performance is slated to be a major highlight {…}
Wolfgang Windgassen is one of the greatest Wagnerian tenors of the 20th century. Known for his intelligence of interpretation and exactness of tone and musicality, he quickly built up a legacy that remains among the most fascinating on record. Perhaps the most fascinating bit of information about the tenor is that he sang every major Wagner role there is to {…}
Of the four operas that comprise “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” perhaps none is more famous than “Die Walküre.” Not only does the work contain the best-known piece of music that Wagner ever wrote (The Ride of the Valkyries), but it contains some of the most compelling and unforgettable musico-dramatic moments in the entire canon. Moreso, of the four operas, none {…}
Nowadays, performing Wagner’s “Ring Cycle” exactly as the composer intended is looked down upon. In fact, in today’s opera climate, historically accurate performances are far from the norm and somewhat of a lost, if not dead, art. But Kent Nagano doesn’t care and alongside the Concerto Köln, he is looking to exhume that past and give it new life. That {…}
We can look at Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger,” which premiered on June 21, 1868, and marvel at its glorious music. Or its fascinating Schopenhauerian philosophy. Instead, let’s just look at the opera’s face value and marvel at the fact that this is an opera about singers. There are many operas laden with characters that sing within the context of the opera, {…}
