Jonas Kaufmann is quite frankly the most famous tenor in the world. Ever since his breakout, audiences have followed Kaufmann’s career transition from the lyric repertoire to the most dramatic pieces in the tenor fach. And this week Kaufmann adds what most consider the Mount Everest of all tenor roles, “Otello.” It is considered the most difficult role by tenors {…}
Rising stars take different paths. Some win competitions, others work their way up, while others get lucky by making a last-minute debut. Kirsten Chambers is having the season of her life, starting with a Metropolitan Opera debut that made headlines when she replaced Patricia Racette as Salome earlier this fall. Now, following a series of debuts, including one at Carnegie Hall, Chambers is {…}
The title role in “Madama Butterfly” is one that many sopranos, both past and present, have made their own. Lianna Haroutounian is among the artists on that list and this week she reminds audiences why as she brings her acclaimed portrayal of Cio-Cio-San to the Hamburg State Opera in her house debut. The Armenian soprano recently performed the work in San {…}
This week San Francisco Opera’s summer season begins, offering three favorites from the repertoire with intriguing casts. But it is Quinn Kelsey who has the honor of opening the season and bringing one of his most acclaimed roles to the house. As “Rigoletto” the Hawaiian baritone has brought his portrayal to Paris, Hawaii, London, Zurich, Santa Fe, and, most recently, {…}
This week the Teatro Massimo di Palermo opens its production of Massenet’s “Werther” with two tenors. The first is Francesco Meli, a well-known performer who has scaled the heights of some of the world’s opera houses. However, the second tenor, Shalva Mukeria, will make his role debut and that is a reason for celebration. The tenor has been hailed by critics {…}
Plácido Domingo needs no introduction. He not only holds the record for most roles sung in opera for a single individual, but also has a lengthy career that has spanned half a century. And this week he celebrates his 50th anniversary at the Vienna State Opera in a special gala. The tenor made his debut at the Vienna State Opera {…}
This week the Royal Opera House will revive Nicholas Hytner’s production of Verdi’s “Don Carlo” and with it, an intriguing rising star will appear as Elisabetta. The soprano in question will be Kristin Lewis who will make her Royal Opera debut after Krassimira Stoynova canceled the production. Lewis is slowly building her name internationally as she gained acclaimed in Italy, {…}
Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” is one of the most heartbreaking operas and a staple of the repertoire. It has also become the vehicle for Ermonela Jaho, the Albanian soprano who is now associated with the role and has performed it throughout the world. After conquering major theaters in New York, London, Bologna, Paris and Venice, Jaho makes her Washington National Opera debut {…}
Rolando Villazón is one of the most admired singers in the opera world for his sheer abandon on stage and his detailed characterizations. He has created some very memorable performances and has recorded a number of great albums. However, this week he steps offstage and goes back to the directing seat for Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale.” Villazón directed his first opera in {…}
“Andrea Chenier” is considered one of the pinnacles of the dramatic tenor repertoire. It is known for its lyrical arias and vocal intensity. It is also an iconic role that every spinto tenor is dying to take on. This week Gregory Kunde performs on his first Andrea Chenier in Giordano’s famous drama at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. The addition of {…}
Elina Garanča has been hailed as one of the great mezzos of her time and one can see why the moment she steps on stage. She is an imposing actress who personifies each of her characters to perfection and has a luscious and expressive voice. This week she returns to the Metropolitan Opera to end one phase of her career. The talk {…}