Happy 2023! With the arrival of the new year, the Wiener Staatsoper will continue to celebrate with a revival of Rossini’s masterful comedy “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.” The production will feature a mix of veteran performers and rising stars, including Alasdair Kent, who will make his company debut as he continues his rise in the opera world. Kent will sing {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” performance on Jan. 3. The company said that Stefan Astakhov will sing the role of Figaro replacing Boris Pinkhasovich. Astakhov has performed at the Wroclaw Opera, the Prague National Theatre, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and at the Lucerne Festival. He is also an ensemble member of the Wiener Staatsoper. {…}
Juan Diego Flórez has canceled his third performance of “La Fille du Régiment” on Dec. 30 at the Wiener Staatsoper. In a statement, the tenor said, “Due to a persistent cold, unfortunately, I will not be able to sing the third performance of ‘La Fille du Régiment’ at the Wiener Staatsoper on Dec 30th. Thank you very much for your {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper’s Intendant Bogdan Roščić will abolish the position of Music Director in 2025. The intendant told Der Standard in an interview that after Philippe Jordan departs in 2025, there will be no Music Director. In the interview, he said, “The post of music director has always been a special case in Vienna, because the State Opera’s musical identification {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced cast changes for productions of “Andrea Chenier” and “Die Zauberflöte.” The company noted that Jonas Kaufmann has canceled a performance on Dec. 3 and will be replaced by Stefano La Colla. Additionally, Olga Bezsmertna will sing the role of Pamina replacing Erin Morley. La Colla is set to join a cast that includes George Petean {…}
Piotr Beczala has canceled his participation in the Nov. 27 Gala Concert at the Wiener Staatsoper. The tenor took to social media and said, “Dear friends, I regret to inform you that I will not be able to perform on November 27 at the Wiener Staatsoper during the Gala Concert LICHT INS DUNKEL for technical reasons. I couldn’t find a {…}
A week ago Serena Sáenz made headlines when she won second place at the Operalia Competition. Following numerous other competitions over the years, the soprano finally had her major breakout and is likely set for a major career. That career will get a significant boost this week when she makes her Wiener Staatsoper debut in a production of “Ariadne auf {…}
(Credit: Clara Evens) The Wiener Staatsoper has named a new concertmaster. The position will be taken by 25-year-old Yamen Saadi who will assume the joint role at both the Wiener Staatsoper and Vienna Philharmonic starting during the 2022-23 season. Saadi, born in Nazareth, studied the violin at the Barenboim-Said Conservatory and then went on to study with the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra {…}
A 55-year-old was arrested at the Wiener Staatsoper prior to a performance of “La Traviata” on Oct. 29. The Kurier is reporting that prior to the showcase, a man hurled verbal abuse at other operagoers and then proceeded to be disruptive throughout the evening. The audience member in question was a German national and was arrested by police who arrived {…}
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 {…}