Pegasus Books is set to release “Wagner and the Creation of the Ring” on July 1, 2025. The new book by Michael Downes explores Richard Wagner’s inspirations, influence, and artistic revolution, which culminates in the creation of the famed “Der Ring des Nibelungen.” “In ‘Wagner and the Creation of the Ring,’ Michael Downes combines cultural history and biography to recount the {…}
(Credit Steve Gregson) Regents Opera has added an extra performance of “Götterdämmerung” due to high demand. The company will be showcasing Wagner’s famed tetralogy in early 2025 with one cycle opening on Feb. 9 and running through the 16th and the second starting on Feb. 23 and finishing up on March 2, 2025. The added performance of the climactic opera {…}
(Credit: Rosie Hardy) Lise Lindstrom recently took time to converse with Benjamin Torbert for OperaWire. Lindstrom sings all three Brünnhildes in “Die Walküre,” “Siegfried,” and “Götterdämmerung” in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s very lightly staged concert presentation of Wagner’s “Der Ring Des Nibelungen,” on 13-20 October 2024. She already appeared with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for two performances of “Walküre” in {…}
(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 {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has unveiled its 2025 season. The season opens with “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” starring Michael Spyres, Georg Zeppenfeld, Christina Nilsson, Christa Mayer, and Matthias Stier. Daniele Gatti conducts and Matthias Davids directs. Performance Dates: July 25 – August 22, 2025 Valentin Schwarz’s “Das Rheingold” will be conducted by Simone Young and features Tomas Konieczny, Olafur Sigurdarson, Daniele Behle, {…}
(Photo © Elena Prokhorova) Baritone Thomas Weinhappel and mezzo-soprano Almerija Delic will headline “Confrontations,” a recital on Sept. 10, 2024. The showcase, set to take place at the Bank Austria Salon in Old Town Vienna, will showcase music by Wagner. Among the highlights of the evening will be Weinhappel’s interpretation of Amfortas in “Parsifal,” matched by Delic’s Kundry. The two {…}
(Photo credit: Richard Termine) The Juilliard School is set to present “Juilliard Songfest” on March 28, 2024. The showcase will feature soprano Abla Benzemroun, soprano Song Hee Lee, mezzo-soprano Tivoli Treloar, soprano Jasmin Ward, and bass-baritone Jared Werlein. Brian Zeger accompanies the performers. The first part of the program, entitled “LOVE,” features music by Liszt, Mahler, and Wagner. Following an {…}
Virginia Opera has announced a major change to its 2024-25 season. The company revealed that instead of performing “Götterdämmerung” to open the season, it will kick off its 50th anniversary with “Don Giovanni.” In an official press statement, the company noted that financial considerations forced the substitution. “As we strive to maintain the highest standards of artistic excellence while also {…}
The Academy of Vocal Arts will present “Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music” this March. The showcase will feature music by Mozart, Händel, Dubois, Bellini, Dvorák, Rossini, Bizet, Puccini, Wagner, Clysedale, Lofton, Carter, and Verdi. Performers include Emily Margevich, Kevin Godínez, Manli Deng, Shawn Roth, Luke Norvell, Lydia Grindatto, Angel Raii Gomez, Dylan Gregg, Matthew Goodheart, Ethel Trujillo, Ariana Maubach, {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week several complete recordings will be released, as well as a unique take on Beethoven ‘s Symphony No. 9. Janáček: Katya Kabanova The second release in LSO Live’s cycle of Janáček opera recordings is “Katya Kabanova.” The album’s cast includes the superb {…}
New Jersey Opera Theater has announced its upcoming 2023-24 season. The season kicks off with “Night of Opera by Richard Wagner.” Audiences will hear arias from the composer’s famed works as performed by New York Dramatic Voices. The showcase will take place at the Union County Performing Arts Center. Performance Date: Sept. 30, 2023 That will be followed up by performances {…}