(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 {…}
Philharmonie Luxembourg has announced its 15th anniversary season. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on vocal performances. The 2019-20 season will kick off with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra. Soprano Rebecca Nelsen will be featured vocally. The program will include Berg’s “Lulu” Suite and Mahler’s Symphony No. 9. Performance Date: Oct. 3, 2019 William Christie will lead {…}
May 1, 1786. That is the day that, for many, the greatest opera of all-time had its very first performance. “Le Nozze di Figaro” has held the stage ever since, performed by all the great interpreters all over the world. The work has also developed a healthy discography over the ages both on audio and visual media, making it impossible {…}
The Philadelphia Orchestra has announced its 2019-20 season with Yannick Nézet-Séguin celebrating his eighth season as music director. Here is a look at the vocal highlights for the orchestra next season. Nézet-Séguin and the Fabulous Philadelphians launch the 120th season with an Opening Night Concert and Gala featuring legendary opera singer Plácido Domingo. The evening, which marks the start of Nézet-Séguin’s {…}
