The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Wolfgang Koch has withdrawn from the fall run of “Tosca.”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 {…}
In a weekend of classics, there will be new productions opening, some revivals, and others closing. And then there will be a gala with one of a legendary sopranos who has surpassed all expectations. Here is a look! Gala Konzert – Wiener Staatsoper, Austria Edita Gruberova offers a gala concert featuring music from “La Traviata,” “Don Giovanni,” “Die Entführung aus dem {…}
“Il Trovatore” never fails. From one note to the next, we have glory, love, pain, revenge, daring. Verdi didn’t miss. Say what you want about the twisting melodrama of a gypsy, a curse, stolen babies, a woman caught between two lovers. When you come down to it, you have opera to shout over. Last night at the Opéra National de {…}
With over 150 opera productions to his credit, British director Keith Warner is hardly a neophyte in the lyric theatre. The mystery is how this respected regisseur could have made such a muddle out of “Nabucco” for the Deutsche Oper Berlin. After all, it is not so difficult to stage Verdi’s first great operatic triumph. Jean-Paul Scarpitta managed to come {…}
PBS will showcase Puccini’s “Tosca” from the Metropolitan Opera as part of its Great Performances Series on Friday, June 15, 2018. The broadcast will kick off at 9 p.m. EDT and will showcase soprano Sonya Yoncheva as the tragic heroine. This was the first of Yoncheva’s big season, during which she appeared on three Live in HD broadcasts. Her “Bohème” {…}
The Deutsche Oper Berlin had a problem for its final presentation of “Rigoletto” on Thursday night. The baritone Markus Bruck was forced to cancel around noon that day from his scheduled appearance in the title role. Fortunately, the company had a tremendous solution at hand. The Serbian baritone Zeljko Lucic was available since he was present to perform in “Nabucco” {…}
Oper Frankfurt has announced its 2018-19 season, featuring 14 new productions, a number of revivals and recitals. The season will feature a number of Frankfurt premieres and one world premiere. Here is a look at what to expect. New Productions Peter Eötvös ‘s “Tri sestry” gets its first Frankfurt performances in a new production by Dorothea Kirschbaum. The unique opera, {…}
This weekend will be filled with a number of stars singing some of their most acclaimed roles. But what will make this weekend even more special is that it will feature a world premiere, a rarely performed Verdi gem, and a rarely performed baroque piece. Here is a look. Rusalka – Prague National Opera, Czech Republic Kerri-Lynn Wilson makes a {…}
Director Phyllida Lloyd’s 2002 production of Verdi’s “Macbeth” doesn’t need a revival to age. Cluttered with too many literal symbols – Lady Macbeth attempting to wash blood off in the bath, Duncan clad in a glittery gold cloak that Macbeth dons when assuming the throne, the presence of a running tap onstage as the two killer spouses sing of their {…}
The Royal Opera House will present Verdi’s “Macbeth” live in cinemas on April 4, 2018. The performance will be broadcast around the globe and will feature superstar soprano Anna Netrebko as the villainous Lady Macbeth. She will be paired with Zeljko Lucic in the title role; the two performed the Macbeths together at the Metropolitan Opera in a performance that {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced its 2018-19 season, which is set to include eight new productions and a number of revival productions. The season will also include a number of concert performances as well as recitals in the company’s summer festival. Here is a look at all the operatic events. New Productions Amélie Niermeyer directs a new production of Verdi’s {…}