(Credit: Metropolitan Opera) The Opéra de Montréal and the Orchestre Métropolitain are set to come together for their first co-production with Beethoven’s “Fidelio.” The concert version of the famed opera, which is set to take place on Oct. 25 and 27 at the Maison Symphonique, will feature maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin at the podium; the famed conductor was recently awarded a {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, saw the third performance of Puccini’s “Turandot,” at the Metropolitan Opera this season. Set against the opulence of Zeffirelli’s 1987 production, the evening’s cast and ample chorus did much in bringing vocal and dramatic vitality to the forefront, with Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin making of the most of his particular gifts. A {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) The Met Opera’s Live in HD series for the 2019-20 season kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 with a transmission of Puccini’s “Turandot.” The broadcast, which kicks off 12:55 p.m. Eastern time, stars Christine Goerke in the title role, with Yusif Eyvazov, and Elenora Buratto as Calaf and Liù, respectively. The big story, {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) On Thursday, the Metropolitan Opera will open its fourth production of the season – Puccini’s “Turandot.” This run of performances is unique because they represent the first time that the Met Opera’s music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts an opera by Puccini at the famed house. To this point, he has tackled works by Bizet, {…}
Yannick Nézet-Séguin has a busy schedule and it will remain so for a long time. The Canadian conductor has signed a lifetime contract with the Orchestre Métropolitain of Montréal as its Artistic Director and Chief Conductor. Nézet-Séguin is also the Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera since 2018 and maintains the role with the Philadelphia Orchestra since 2012. Nézet-Séguin made {…}
Since his breakthrough as Rodolfo in Bellini’s “La Sonnambula,” 42-year-old Ildar Abdrazakov has cemented his reputation as one of the world’s leading bass singers at both European and American opera houses. With his repertoire spanning the early and mid-19th century, he has gradually moved from the Belcanto tradition to Verdi and the development of modern music drama per se; it {…}
This week features three major releases. Among them will be solo album debuts and one very intriguing world premiere that should spark the interest of contemporary opera lovers. P R I S I M Composer and sound artist Ellen Reid’s opera “p r i s m” is set to be released by Decca Gold. The opera, with a libretto by Roxie Perkins, was commissioned {…}
Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin has postponed his return to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center due to family reasons. The organization announced that Nézet-Séguin had postponed his return to the festival due to an injury sustained by his partner, Pierre Tourville. Nézet-Séguin withdrew from the concerts on August 7 and 8 but will return on August 16 and 17 {…}
On Friday, June 14, 2019, The MET Orchestra returned to Carnegie Hall for a highly gripping program of Gustav Mahler’s “Ruckert Lieder,” and Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7. On this evening, the orchestra was joined by mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca, lending her interpretative passion to the cycle of songs. Brief and Beautiful The first lied, “Look not into my songs,” opened {…}
The Silicon Valley Community Foundation has awarded the Philadelphia Orchestra Association a $50 million Endowment Gift, plus an additional $5 million contribution to fund Orchestra operations. The $55 million grant, which comes from a donor-advised fund at SVCF, “represents an expression of confidence in the artistic and organizational leadership of the Orchestra” and is “the largest single gift in Philadelphia {…}
On June 4, the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage of Carnegie Hall was host to a musical feast, as performed by The MET Orchestra under the baton of its new conductor and music director, Yannick Nezet-Seguin. The evening’s program was comprised of works from French composers Debussy, Ravel, and Dutilleux, all of which allowed for an abundance of expression. With guest star {…}