Joyce DiDonato, Juan Diego Flórez, Aleksandra Kurzak Headline Opernhaus Zürich Streams Throughout January & February

(Images source: MEZZO TV website) Opernhaus Zürich will broadcast three operas on MEZZO TV throughout January and February 2021. First up will be Bellini’s operatic jewel “I Capuleti e i Montecchi” featuring Joyce DiDonato in the role of Romeo, Olga Kulchynska as Giulietta, Benjamin Bernheim in the role of Tebaldo, Alexei Botnarciuc as Capellio, and Erik Anstine as Lorenzo. Opernhaus {…}

Jan 7, 2021

Obituary: Mezzo-Soprano Biserka Cvejić Dies at 97

(Credit: http://www.avantartmagazin.com/) Famed Serbian mezzo-soprano Biserka Cvejić has died at the age of 97. Cvejić performed over 70 roles during throughout her renowned career, including Bizet’s “Carmen,” which became one of her calling cards. Other major roles included Eboli in Verdi’s “Don Carlos,” Amneris in “Aida,” Ulrica in “Un Ballo in Maschera,” Azucena in “Il Trovatore,” Charlotte in Massenet’s “Werther,” {…}

Jan 7, 2021

Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège Cancels Juan Diego Flórez & Jonas Kaufmann Concerts

(Credits: Gregor Hohenberg SONY Classical) The Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège has announced that it has canceled concerts by Juan Diego Flórez and Jonas Kaufmann due to the COVID-19 measures imposed by the government of Belgium. Flórez was set to perform on Jan. 8, 2021, alongside Christopher Franklin, who was supposed to lead Orchestra of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège. Meanwhile, {…}

Dec 22, 2020

Mezzo-Soprano Carol García Joins Gran Teatre del Liceu’s ‘Les Contes d’Hoffmann’

(Credit: Gran Teatre Del Liceu official website) The Gran Teatre Del Liceu has announced that mezzo-soprano Stéphanie d’Oustrac has cancelled her participation in Offenbach’s “Les contes d’Hoffmann” on Jan. 19 & 31, 2021 in the role of La Musa/Nicklausse, due to health reasons. As a result, mezzo-soprano Carol García will perform in her stead. García will join the cast that {…}

Dec 21, 2020

Iván López-Reynoso Appointed New Artistic Director of Orquesta Del Teatro De Bellas Artes

(Credit: Jesús Cornejo/Cortesía) The Orquesta Del Teatro De Bellas Artes in Mexico City has announced that conductor and counter-tenor Iván López-Reynoso has been appointed its new Artistic Director. López-Reynoso also holds the position of the Chief Guest Conductor of the Oviedo Filarmonía. “Being the next Artistic Director of Orquesta Del Teatro De Bellas Artes is the greatest honor I have {…}

Nov 27, 2020

Francesco Demuro, Veronica Simeoni, Nicola Alaimo, Giuseppina Bridelli Headline OperaStreaming’s December Slate

OperaStreaming has announced its December slate. Things kick off with the streaming service set to present a production of Massenet’s “Werther” from the Teatro Comunale di Modena. The opera stars Veronica Simeoni as Charlotte with Francesco Demuro as Werther and Guido Dazzini as Albert. Maria Rita Combattelli rounds out the cast as Sophie. Francesco Pasqualetti conducts with Stefano Vizioli directing. {…}

Nov 5, 2020

Polish National Opera 2020-21 Review: Werther

As I was going to the first performance of “Werther,” a drame lyrique by Jules Massenet, I was glad that I would finally listen to Piotr Beczała live in this role, which he has performed for 25 years. Nevertheless, as I entered Teatr Wielki – the Polish National Opera, I was also a bit concerned that I was about to {…}

Oct 7, 2020

Simon Keenlyside Withdraws from Lyon’s ‘Werther’

Simon Keenlyside has withdrawn from Massenet’s “Werther” at the Opéra National de Lyon. The baritone withdrew from the concert performance, which was scheduled for Nov. 20 in order to join the Royal Opera House’s concert performance of “Falstaff.” As a result, Piero Pretti will perform the title role in Massenet’s opera. Keenlyside is known for his interpretation as Ford in {…}

Oct 5, 2020

Artist of the Week: Piotr Beczala

(Credit: Emilie Brouchon) This week the Polish National Opera will open a new production of Massenet’s “Werther” by Willy Decker. The production was originally set to open in May of 2020 but was canceled due to the coronavirus. Now the company has lined up an extraordinary group of soloists including Piotr Beczala, who returns to his country to sing one {…}

Oct 2, 2020

Metropolitan Opera HD Live in Schools Series Launches 2020–21 Virtual Programming

(Credit: The Metropolitan Opera official website) In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, The Metropolitan Opera’s HD Live in Schools program has launched an online series for the 2020–21 school year. For the upcoming school year, all students and teachers will receive free subscriptions to the Met Opera on Demand streaming service. A total of ten operas have been selected {…}

Aug 29, 2020

Obituary: Dutch Mezzo-Soprano Cora Canne Meijer Dies at 91

(Image source: YouTube) Dutch mezzo-soprano Cora Canne Meijer passed away on August 25, 2020, at the age of 91. Cora Canne Meijer graduated from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. The mezzo-soprano debuted in 1950 with the Nederlandse Opera (now De Nationale Opera) in the role of Annina in Verdi’s “La Traviata.” During her first year at the Nederlandse Opera, Meijer sang {…}