The Wiener Staatsoper has announced the members of its Opernstudio for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. The company selected 12 young singers out of 734 applications. This year’s artists include Austrian soprano Miriam Kutrowatz, who is a member of the young ensemble of the Theater an der Wien and Jenni Hietala who has a scholarship from the Hilde Zadek Foundation. {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced cast changes for productions of “L’Elisir d’Amore” and “L’Orfeo.” For “L’Elisir d’Amore,” the company said Maria Nazarova will sing the role of Adina on the Oct. 21 performance of Donizetti’s opera instead of Slávka Zámečníková. Meanwhile, Ileana Tonca will sing the Oct. 20 and 22 performances of Monteverdi’s work replacing Slávka Zámečníková. Nazarova is a {…}
Ludovic Tézier has canceled his planned solo concert at the Wiener Staatsoper on Oct. 18 The company said that the baritone was forced to cancel due to illness. On his behalf, Tézier wrote, “Dear friends, dear audience of the Wienerstaastoper, I regret I must refrain from sharing the evening of October 18 with you. As you know, I strive every time {…}
Philippe Jordan will not renew his contract with the Wiener Staatsoper. The conductor, who was appointed the Music Director in 2020, told the Kurier that he believed that opera and the company were headed in the wrong direction. “In the past two years, I’ve come to the conclusion that that was probably not realistic and isn’t really desirable. As far {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of “Jenůfa.” The company noted that Eliska Weissová will sing the role of Die Küsterin Buryjasingt replacing Violeta Urmana. Weissová is a Brno Conservatory and Prague Academy graduate who has been a permanent guest of the National Theatre Prague, National Theatre Brno, Theatre Plzeň, Theatre Ústí nad Labem, Opava, {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper’s General Director Bogdan Rošcic is defending his choice to contract Anna Netrebko following protests at the Wiener Staatsoper. In an interview with ORF, the director quoted Netrebko and said, “‘I condemn the war against the Ukraine in the strongest possible terms’ and then she is treated there by top politicians as reduced traitors, was attacked, and insulted {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its revival of “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.” The company said that Cecilia Molinari will sing the role of Rosina instead of Vasilisa Berzhanskaya in September performances. Molinari is a well known Italian mezzo who regularly performs Mozart, Donizetti, and Rossini, among others. She has performed at the Dutch National Opera, Opéra Royal {…}
ORF III is set to present “La Bohème” on Sept. 18. The performance will continue the partnership established by the Wiener Staatsoper and the channel throughout the years and will also give audiences who could not get a ticket to the sold-out run a chance to see the work. “La Bohème” is set to star Anna Netrebko in the role {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced an opera change for the opening of the 2022-23 season. The company said that due to illness, Roberto Alagna and Sonya Yoncheva have canceled their participation in the revival of “La Juive.” According to a press release, Yoncheva is suffering from an otisis and according to doctor’s advice can’t travel nor sing until at least {…}
Former Wiener Staatsoper press officier Lothar Knessl has died at the 95. Born April 15, 1927, in Brunn, Knessl attended the Realgymnasium in his hometown and studied piano at the conservatory. He went on to join the military and in 1947, after serving, he moved to Vienna to study music and theater. He also studied composition with Karl Schiske and {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has extended its General Director Bogdan Roščić until 2030. State Secretary Andrea Mayer announced on the news on June 13. Roščić was originally set to be the director until 2025 but Mayer followed the recommendation of the selection committee after the end of the new call for applications, to which a total of eleven people had applied. {…}