(Credit: Catherine Ashmore/Royal Opera – Antoni Bofill/Gran Teatre del Liceu – Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera) As we end the year its time to look back at the past 365-ish days and the big moments that defined 2019. It was a great year for numerous singers who broke-out and for established performers who took their careers in new directions or made important {…}
(Credit: Elena-Cherkashyna/ Arielle Doneson/ Fay Fox) It’s that time of year during which we look back at the past 365 days and the big moments that defined them. Every year, the opera world has its share of rising and breakout artists that are likely to become the next generation of stars. These singers are discovered in competitions, festivals or young {…}
(Credit: Wiener Staatsoper-Michael Pohn / Teatro alla Scala – Marco Brescia & Rudy Amisano) This weekend its all about the opening night of one of the most important theaters in the world. There will also be a historic world premiere in addition to a number of new productions, revivals and debuts that are important to look out for. Les Contes {…}
(Credit: Gianfranco Rota) “Lucrezia Borgia” is perhaps one of Donizetti’s most dramatic operas with arguably some of the most unlikeable characters in the artform. However, it ranks as one of his most inventive and one of his most compelling. The music which brings audiences a step closer to early Verdi, sees Donizetti in experimental mode with some of the traditional {…}
This weekend its all about star performances, repertory staples, new productions and a season opening. Check out what we believe you need to see. Eugene Onegin Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Marina Rebeka continues the run in her first Tatiana alongside a star cast that includes Boris Pinkhasovich in the title role, Pavol Breslik as Lenski and Ferruccio Furlanetto as Gremin. The {…}
(Credit: Elena Cherkashyna) Tenor Xabier Anduaga has been around for a couple of years singing throughout Europe. But this past summer, he announced himself to the opera world at large when he became the winner of Operalia. Now he will further cement his position as he makes his return to the Donizetti Festival with “Lucrezia Borgia,” in his role debut {…}
On July 26, 2019, Spanish tenor Xabier Anduaga (along with fellow competitor Adriana Gonzalez) achieved one of opera’s most coveted distinctions as he joined the circle of Operalia 1st Prize winners. The Operalia competition has been transforming talented young singers into stars of the opera scene since 1993, with winners frequently becoming headliners at top venues across the globe. This {…}
Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Lisboa has announced its 2019-20 season. The season will start off with Welsh National Opera’s production of Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino,” directed by David Pountney. The cast will feature Miklós Sebestyén as the Marquis of Calatrava / Il Padre Guardiano, Cristiana Oliveira / Julianna Di Giacomo as Leonora, Damiano Salerno as Don Carlo di {…}
Xabier Anduaga and Adriana Gonzalez have taken home first prize at the Operalia Competition. The two singers also won the zarzuela prizes. Anduaga won the Plácido Domingo Ferrer Prize while Gonzalez won the Pepita Embil Prize. Second prize went to baritone Gihoon Kim and mezzo-soprano Maria Kataeva while third prize went to soprano Christina Nilsson and countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen. {…}
The Operalia Competition has revealed the 12 finalists who will be competing for its top prize on Friday, July 26, 2019. The 12 finalists included Felicia Moore, Gihoon Kim, Christina Nilsson, Piotr Buszewski, Xabier Anduaga, Bongani Justice Kubheka, Liv Redpath, Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, Anna Shapovalova, Maria Kataeva, Adriana Gonzalez, and Mario Bahg. While making the announcement, legendary singer Plácido Domingo noted {…}
The Opéra de Lille has announced its 2019-20 season featuring a number of rare works and one of the great masterpieces of the canon. Purcell’s “The Indian Queen” opens the season with Anna Dennis, Tristan Hambleton, Hugo Hymas, Gareth John, Rowan Pierce, Nick Pritchard, Christopher Ettridge, Elisabeth Hopper, James McGregor, Julie Legrand, Ben Porter, and Jules Werner. Emmanuelle Haïm conducts Guy Cassiers’ production. {…}