No Thomas Hampson Tonight

“Daniel Sutin will sing the title role in tonight’s performance of Berg’s Wozzeck, replacing Thomas Hampson, who is recovering from bronchitis.”  This is the second performance that Hampson cancels as he missed opening where Matthias Goerne filled in. 

Don Carlo DVD

Just a few days ago I posted that Sony was planning on Releasing Two new Jonas Kaufmann DVDs and that they were getting there act together. Now it seems like they will be releasing Don Carlo as well. It seems like the company has obtained the rights to all the recent Salzburg performances including this extraordinary performance. The company has yet to announce a Fanciulla del West release but perhaps that could be their future plans. For now it is rumored that Sony also has plans on releasing the new Don Giovanni from Baden Baden so stay tuned for upcoming news.   

Notable CD and DVD Releases for the Month of October

The Month of October sees the releases of classic gems and new CDs from two of the best in tenors of today. 

Kasper Holten's production of Eugene Onegin may have been received with bad criticism, but Opus Arte will release the new production. The Royal Opera House has lined up an incredible cast that includes Simon Keenlyside, Krassimira Stoyanova, and Pavol Breslik.  

Britten's War Requiem

To Celebrate Britten's 100 anniversary Anna Netrebko, Thomas Hampson and Ian Bostridge recorded the composers celebrated Requiem with Antonio Pappano. The CD is slated for release in October with Warner Classics.

Jonas Kaufmann in First Don Carlo Pictures From Salzburg

The first pictures of Salzburg's Don Carlo have been revealed. And I am happy to announce that it is not all black. After seeing Munich and the Met's hideous productions, Peter Stein seems to have realized that Verdi operas can also have color. This is by far the most anticipated production of the year and one that am most looking forward to. The opera will be broadcast from Medici and ORF and should eventually get a DVD (Hopefully). 

A New Simon Boccanegra

Kristine Opolais has recently posted a picture to her new recording of Simon Boccanegra with Thomas Hampson and Joseph Calleja. The recording is slated for a September release on Decca Classics. 

Anna Netrebko To Record War Requiem

Anna Netrebko confirmed that she is recording Britten's War Requiem with Antonio Pappano. According to the Anna netrebko blog she told a fan while she exited the the Baden Baden performances of Don Giovanni

Thomas Hampson also confirmed that his latest Simon Boccanegra performances with Kristine Opolais and Jpseph Calleja would be recorded for DECCA and released next year.

The 2013-2014 Lyric Opera of Chicago Season Announced

The Chicago Opera has announced their new season with Anna Maria Martinez (Rusalka, Otello), Jonas Kaufmann (Gala Concert), Joyce Didonato (La Clemenza di Tito), Joseph Calleja (La Traviata) and Johan Botha (Otello) leading an all star season. Falk Struckmann (Otello), Brandon Jovanovich (Rusalka), Isabel Leonard, Nathan Gunn (Barber of Seville) and Thomas Hampson (Parsifal) will also take part in the season.

Salzburg 2013 schedule

Today the official 2013 Salzburg summer season was announced. As previously rumored Don Carlos, Der Meistersingers, Nabucco, Rienzi and Cosi Fan Tutte will for part of the line up. The new season will also include Lucio Silla, Falstaff, Norma, Gawain and Giovanna d'Arco. Among the rosters include Jonas Kaufmann (Don Carlo), Anna Netrebko (Giovanna d'Arco), Placido Domingo  (Giovanna d'Arco), Rolando Villazon (Lucio Silla),  Cecilia Bartoli (Norma), Thomas Hampson (Don Carlo), Anja Harteros (Don Carlo), Edita Gruberova (Recital) and many more.

Otello Preview 2012-2013

Johan Botha and Renee Fleming reprise their roles in Elijah Moshensky's production of Otello. Jose Cura and Thomas Hampson take on the second run.

The Production

The elegant 1994 production by Elijah Moshinsky returns for its final run. Moshinsky who made his Met debut in 1980 directing Un Ballo in Maschera first mounted this Otello in honor of Placido Domingo's 25th anniversary with the Met. The production was sung by him in the late 90s and then was taken over by other lesser known Otellos who lacked the same vigor that Domingo had. As for the production, it has the same lavish grandeur of a Zeffirelli production. The sets are made up of huge marble pillars, and mythic paintings. There is a huge plaza at the end of the third act and a huge bedroom at the end of the fourth act. It is in all sense the monumental production one expects from Otello. Nevertheless critics have complained about Moshinksy lack of direction and his placement of the chorus, and overwhelming sets. They have also complained about the first scene which they say looks like a construction sight rather than a dock and a castle. Regardless of all the complaints it is a production that presents the action without any superficiality and dumb concepts. It will be the second time this production is recorded and the first live in HD transmission for it.
   

Parting thoughts on the 2011-2012 Metropolitan Opera Season

by Francisco Salazar

Another Met season has passed and like the ones prior  there were many successes, disappointments, and failures. Like last year, I will give an analysis of what I believe were the successes, failures, surprises, and disappointments of this season. As a disclaimer, I would like to emphasize that the following comments are my opinions and that I will not write about every single work I saw or was presented this year. I respect those who believe that everything I say is completely wrong and I welcome any contradictory arguments. Enjoy!