(Credit: Ludwig Olah/Semperoper Dresden) This week the Berlin State Opera is set to open its production of Strauss’ epic opera “Die Frau Ohne Schatten.” The work is rarely performed because of the immense cast and orchestra it requires so it is always a special work to hear it when it is presented. With this revival, the Berlin State Opera has {…}
This week the Wexford Festival Opera is set to open a production of Mascagni’s “Le Maschere,” which has long been rarely performed since it premiered. The opera will showcase a young cast of rising stars, including tenor Andrew Morstein who will sing Florindo. Winner of the “Best Male Newcomer” at the Österreichischer MusikTheater Preis Awards in Vienna, Morstein is a {…}
(Photo Credit: Israeli Opera House) Taking three years to write, composer Yonatan Cnaan and director Ido Ricklin’s opera, “Theodor: The Unknown Story of Herzl,” is a summarization of Theodor Herzl’s life. It was premiered by the Israeli Opera House in 2023, following the attacks on October 7th, 2023. Conducted by Nimrod David Pfeffer, the evening was powerful and monumental. Luckily, {…}
(Photo credit: Peter Oppenländer) OperaWire was invited to experience the 5th annual Waiblingen International Opera Workshop led by baritone Thomas Hampson and Wailblingen-native and soprano Melanie Diener. The workshop, which took place Sept. 15-21, included daily breathing workshops led by Claudia Stefke-Leuser and individual coaching with Hampson and Diener, two masterclasses, two performances, and an educational outreach program. The participants {…}
(Credit: Bern Uhlig) On Oct. 2, 2024, the Berlin State Opera will open a new production of “Nabucco.” The production is one of the high-profile profile productions of the year due to its two leads. Luca Salsi, one of the world’s great baritones, takes on the title role, and Anna Netrebko will sing the role of Abigaille for the first {…}
(Credit: Teatro dell’Opera di Roma/Teatro alla Scala/Paris Opera) Over the past years, many coloratura and lyric sopranos have risen to fame and created unforgettable portrayals of the repertoire. But few have left as big an impact as Lisette Oropesa. The American soprano has been hailed for her interpretative depth and her incredible acting. She has become a mainstay at such {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl) Throughout the entire history of opera, from its beginning in the Francophile 18th century to the American 21st, there have been numerous moments which stand out as having been controversial of their time and controversial even today due to the contentious nature of the events. If one looks to contemporary issues like Anna Netrebko’s alleged blackface while {…}
(Credit: Vincent Pontet/Paris Opera) This week the Paris Opera opened its 2024-25 season with Verdi’s final work. The production featured some of the greatest interpreters of the opera as well as an array of singers new to the work. Among them was Olivia Boen who was making a double debut. The American soprano not only made her role debut as {…}
(Photo Credit: Getty Images) Maria Callas, better known as La Divina and the immortal muse of art, died on September 16, 1977, having lived a life that no-one else could have lived—or, better phrased, survived. Having sung in practically every major house in the world; recorded a enormous quantity of material from Verdi, Puccini, and Bellini, to Wagner, Spontini, Bizet, Rossini, {…}
