Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko & Plácido Domingo Headline Bayerische Staatsoper’s 2019-20 Season

The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2019-20 season, which is undeniably one of the biggest there is. It includes eight new productions to go along with a plethora of revivals. New Productions Jonas Kaufmann and Marlis Petersen headline a new production of Korngold’s “Die Tote Stadt” with Simon Stone directing. Kirill Petrenko conducts the production which also stars Andrzej Filonczyk, Jennifer Johnston, {…}

Dec 17, 2018

10 Must See Operas In 2019 [International Edition]

As 2018 comes to an end there is a lot of opera to look forward to in 2019. There will be even more stars, world premieres, new productions, and rarely performed works that will be showcased throughout the world. In celebration of the new year, lets take a look at the operas OperaWire believes are not be missed internationally in {…}

Oct 22, 2018

Metropolitan Opera 2018-19 Preview: Fun Facts About Sondra Radvanovsky & The Cast of ‘Tosca’

“Tosca” is one of the more popular operas in the entire repertory and this season it will be returning to the Met Opera for a total of 13 performances throughout the months of October, November, March, and April. There are two main casts across the two runs, distinguished by the two leading ladies in the title role. However, the remainder {…}

Oct 16, 2018

Željko Lučić & Claudio Sgura Replace Wolfgang Koch In Met Opera “Tosca”

The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Wolfgang Koch has withdrawn from the fall run of “Tosca.” The company announced that Koch, who was set to debut with the company, had to withdraw due to illness. As a result, Željko Lučić will sing the role of Scarpia on opening night on Oct. 25 and Claudio Sgura will sing the remaining six performances {…}

Jul 20, 2018

Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – International (7/20-22)

It’s a weekend of Bel Canto, Wagner, Mozart, and Puccini with many of the greatest stars in the world. There are some rarities and some signature pieces that are must see. Tosca – Teatro Municipal de Chile, Chile Melody Moore and Lilit Soghomonyan share the title role in Puccini’s masterpiece with Leonardo Caimi and Artem Golubev alternating Cavaradossi. Elchin Azizov and Alexander Krasnov {…}

Jul 2, 2018

Bayerische Staatsoper 2017-18 Review: Parsifal

“Parsifal. Parsifal.” Real? Dreamed? Which? In the opening of the Bayerische Staatsoper Opernfest 2018, we couldn’t tell. The new production by Pierre Audi and Georg Baselitz, which featured Jonas Kaufmann, René Pape, Christian Gerhahar, Nina Stemme, Wolfgang Koch, and conductor Kirill Petrenko, took us to a world far-beyond the drizzly night outside the doors, and watched a human and sacred {…}

Jul 2, 2018

Bayerische Staatsoper 2017-18 Live Stream: Jonas Kaufmann Leads Starry Cast in ‘Parsifal’

The Bayerische Staatsoper will live stream its new production of Wagner’s “Parsifal” on Sunday, July 8, 2018. The production, directed by Pierre Audi, will be led by Music director Kirill Petrenko and star Jonas Kaufmann, Christian Gerhaher, René Pape, Wolfgang Koch, and Nina Stemme. The stream kicks off at 5 p.m. local time. That’s around 12 p.m. EDT and 9 {…}

Jun 29, 2018

Top 6 Operas to See This Weekend – International (6/29-7/1): Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko, & Angela Gheorghiu Lead Star-Studded Weekend

It’s a star-studded weekend. Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Sonya Yoncheva, Angela Gheorghiu, and many others perform around the world. Here is a look at what you cannot miss this weekend. Nabucco – Prague National Theatre, Czech Republic Jose Cura directs a new production of Verdi’s early work with Anda-Louise Bogza in the role of Abigaille and Miguelangelo Cavalcanti in the title {…}

Apr 3, 2018

CD / DVD Releases – Week of April 2: Marina Rebeka & Johan Botha Lead New Releases

This week, three interesting releases will be seen in the market. The first is from a rarely performed Verdi opera, then comes a one-act opera by Puccini, and finally, there will be a CD exploring French baroque opera. Here is a look! Luisa Miller Marina Rebeka continues her Artist in Residence with the Muncher Rundfunkorchester in the title role of {…}

Mar 23, 2018

Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – International (3/23-25): Anja Harteros & Joseph Calleja Headline New Productions

Let the Holiday season begin as many of the world’s festivals begin their Easter celebrations. Here is a breakdown of the performances you should see this weekend. Tosca – Salzburg East Festival, Austria The Easter Festival begins in Salzburg with a new production of “Tosca” starring the extraordinary Anja Harteros alongside Aleksandrs Antonenko and Ludovic Tézier. Christian Thielemann conducts the new {…}

Mar 19, 2018

Artist Of The Week: Wolfgang Koch Celebrate’s ‘Dantons Tod’s’ 100th Anniversary

Wolfgang Koch is one of today’s leading baritones who has mastered many of the great German roles by Wagner and Strauss. He has performed all over the world and has also become well known for his interpretation of Wotan in Wagner’s “The Ring Cycle.” This week, he adds another role to his repertoire in an unknown modern masterpiece. Koch will {…}