Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all and may it be a wonderful one filled with happiness and love. Thank you all for a wonderful 2013 and lets make 2014 a great year. 

'La Forza del Destino' Today at 12

The Bayerische will present the new production of La Forza del Destino on their live stream series. The production stars leading tenor Jonas Kaufmann and German soprano Anja Harteros. Ludovic Tezier and Nadia Krasteva will also perform with Asher Fisch conducting Martin Kusej's new production. The production will also mark the Third Verdi collaboration between the Harteros and Kaufmann after successful runs of Il Trovatore and Don Carlo. Here is the link to the Live Stream. 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all our followers and may you share the day with happiness. 

Jay Hunter Morris Rumored to Sing in The Flying Dutchman in 2017

Thanks to one of my readers I have found out that Jay Hunter Morris has The Flying Dutchman on his website schedule. The tenor is scheduled to sing the role of Eric in April and May of 2017. According to the Met Futures Wiki the cast will be lead by Christine Goerke and will also include Michael Volle as the Dutchman. The Met has not confirmed the news yet but if the singer has on his website it will most likely happen this way.

Jay Hunter Morris is best known for his role as Siegfried which he performed in Robert Lepage's latest production. He also performed Moby Dick at the Francisco Opera filling in for Ben Heppner.

Cast Changes for Der Rosenkavalier

Daniela Sindram will sing the role of Octavian and Rúni Brattaberg will sing the role of Baron Ochs in this evening’s performance of Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier. Géraldine Chauvet and Peter Rose, originally scheduled to sing the roles, have withdrawn due to illness.” So says the Met press office.

Joans Kaufmann announces Wagner

Jonas Kaufmann has announced the release of Wagner. The new DVD will be released with C-Major. Surprise surprise that Sony is not releasing it. But then again when does it release any DVDs. Anyways this great news because this was an amazing concert. 

La Traviata Livestream

The exciting soprano Diana Damrau will open La Scala in a New Production of La Traviata. ARTE will live stream the opera at 3 pm for those of you are excited for this work. Piotr Beczala will sing Alfredo and Zeljko Lucic will sing Germont. So if you saw Rigoletto at the Met last year, then you know what to expect.


Here is a Video La Scala Just released 

Il Trovatore Clips

For those who were not in Berlin like me, Here are a couple of clips that were put on Youtube. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Maria Callas

Today Maria Callas would have been 90. The legendary Soprano is the greatest soprano and quite possibly one of the greatest inspirations for a number of people including me. Lets pay Tribute to La Divina and Let us Know What your favorite recording of Callas is. If you ever saw her, let us know what was so special about that moment.

Here is one of my favorite recordings by the great soprano:

Christine Schafer cancels Die Fledermaus

The Met Press Office is reporting“Jane Archibald will sing the role of Adele in all 14 performances of the new production of Johann Strauss’s Die Fledermaus at the Met this season. Christine Schäfer, originally scheduled to sing the first six performances of the opera, is ill and unable to travel to the Met for rehearsals. Archibald was originally scheduled to sing the final eight performances of the run.”  

Deutsche Grammphon Announced Eugene Onegin

The Yellow label announced the DVD for the Met's Eugene Onegin yesterday on Youtube posting two videos from the performance. The company secretly added the videos did not appear on their facebook page or on the companies website. However based on these two videos the company is getting ready to launch the DVD in the company months.

 

Mojca Erdmann Cancels "Der Rosenkavalier"

The Met press office, “Erin Morley will sing the role of Sophie in all performances of Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier this season [starting 72 hours from now!], replacing Mojca Erdmann, who is still recovering from a recent case of pneumonia.”

Gaston Rivero To Sing Manrico

After a number of days without a Manrico at the Berlin State Opera, the company has announced that Gaston Rivero will sing the role. Daniel Barenboim scrambled for a tenor to sing the title role and with all the big superstars busy, Rivero was the only singer available. We wish him good luck!

Antonenko Cancels Il Trovatore

Everyone has been anticipating the debut of Anna Netrebko Netrebko's Leonora at the Berlin State Opera. The cast was perfect with Placido Domingo and Aleksandrs Antonenko. Now it is being reported that Antonenko has cancelled the lead role of Manrico. The production is currently rehearsing with no Manrico and with a star studded cast and sold out shows Berlin is posed to find a star of the same measure as Antonenko.

Rumor mill says that Jonas Kaufmann is currently front-runner but with his busy schedule it is unlikely. Other blogs mention Francesco Meli while others say Ramon Vargas. The question is who will fill the spot and will it be a newcomer.

Update: Francesco Meli is unlikely to Sing as he will be premiering a new production of Ernani at the Teatro Roma with Riccardo Muti 

Ramon Vargas Never added that role to his repertoire and Marcelo Alvarez is in Tokyo singing Tosca 

Future Seasons

Over the past few days a number of announcements have been made regarding future seasons at the Met and all over the world. Here is a an overview.

Christine Goerke will sing Brundhilde at the Met in 2018-19. The announcement was made in the New York Times and although it is exciting news it would have been better to stage this earlier now that the soprano is her prime.

Roberto Alagna will sing Otello and Cyrano de Bergerac. Alagna announced that he is doing Otello next summer in Europe and while that does not surprise anyone, is he really up for the challenge of the daunting role. Most importantly does he have the voice because he has the acting skills. He also announced that he will do Cyrano at the Met with Patricia Racette.


Anna Netrebko has recently announced that she is singing Il Trovatore at the Mariinsky theater in December and at the Met in 2015 with Yonghoon Lee.

Recent HD's That Need a DVD Release

Two years ago I posted an article on performances that never obtained a DVD release and that should. These performances were a number of historical telecasts starring some of the best from the past. Out of the list only one was released, the Andrea Chenier from the Met with Pavarotti and Maria Guleghina. However the rest are still on a shelf collecting dust. Some of them have been added to the Met opera on Demand but the rest are either on Youtube or not available. The following is a list of recent performances that have made history or that are exceptional but have been ignored by distributors.

Erwin Schrott Posts Clips Ferom Les Vespres

The run for the new production of Les Vêpres Siciliennes in London has ended and Erwin Schrott has kindly put up some videos from the HD. The videos include the aria "O tuo Palermo" in French and the trio in act 5. The opera is one of Verdi's least popular but it is always a pleasure to hear it sung in major theaters.

Here are the videos  

Tosca in HD This Weekend

This weekend Tosca will  be screened Live in HD for the second time. The production by Luc Bondy is one of the most controversial productions at the Met as it premiered to a number of boos in 2009 at the Opening Night of the season. The Met has presented the production four straight seasons and has failed to sell out the house.  

This season Patricia Racette will bring her acclaimed portrait of the diva. However Racette's voice has declined in the past years since she first sang it in 2010. The voice struggles to get to the top of the range and she sounds uncomfortable. Roberto Alagna sings Cavaradossi and critics have praised him for his ardor. However Alagna struggles with most of the role except his arias and has a hollow sound. As Scarpia George Gagnidze brings his chaotic voice to the role which he sang at the premiere of the production. His Scarpia is one dimensional and he has failed to add any layers to the role.  

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With all these elements it seems this HD will be one of the biggest disappointments of the season. Additionally it seems like it will be a waste of time considering such operas as Di Frau Ohne Schatten, Arabella, Die Fledermaus, and Norma were ignored. 

As Opera fans which HD would you guys have liked to see instead of Tosca? Who is Going to see this Work?

Salzburg Festival 2014 Announces Lineup

The Salzburg Festival has announced their lineup for the summer. Many of the rumors have been confirmed including Anna Netrebko and Placido Domingo joining forces for a new production of "Il Trovatore." One of the other highlights will be Juan Diego Florez and Elina Garanca singing a concert a performance of "La Favorita."  Waltraud Meier and Peter Seiffert will also join forces with Rene Pape and Ekaterina Gubanova for an abridged concert performance of "Tristan und Isolde." Cecilia Bartoli is also taking on La Cenrentola while Ildebrando d'Arcangelo will sing his acclaimed interpretation of "Don Giovanni. 

The Complete List Below  

Revival of Macbeth for 2014-15 season

La Cieca is reporting that  the 2014-2015 Met season will include a revival of Verdi’s Macbeth featuring Anna Netrebko with Joseph Calleja and René Pape. However there is no baritone announced. From the looks of it, it may Dimitri Hvorostovsky or Zeljko Lucic. Of course it could also be Simon Keenlyside, George Gagnidze, or Thomas Hampson. So these are only a few options. Tell us who you want to see alongside this stellar cast.
Update: It looks like teh eventual Macbeth will Be Lucic reprising the role he sang at the premiere of the production. What do you link of the Met's casting 

Two Boys Preview 2013-14

Nico Muhly's First Opera makes its American premiere at the Metropolitan Opera. Alice Coote and Paul Appleby lead the cast which is conducted by David Robertson

Nico Muhly's opera was commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera but premiered in London at the English National Opera in 2011. The opera tells the story of Anne Strawson, a whisky-drinking detective who is investigating the case of Brian, aged 16, accused of stabbing Jake, aged 13. In order to find the truth Strawson immerses herself  in the world of chatrooms and internet role play, and then separate fact from fantasy in the story that Brian tells her. The opera received mixed reviews with the Guardian stating, "Musically it unfolds far too sedately." However the New York Times praised Muhly for his inventive musical score and using different types of instruments. 

Rolando Villazon Announces Mozart

Rolando Villazon has Announced that he will be releasing a new CD in 2014 entitled Mozart. The album will include Antonio Pappano and London Symphony Orchestra. However no news of the tracks has been announced. 

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.  

Happy Birthday Verdi

Today Verdi celebrates his 200th anniversary and while the Met won't be presenting his work today, I would like to know from you guys what your favorite Verdi work is and your favorite Interpreters.

The following is a list of singers and operas I love from the great composer.



The singers I most love to hear sing Verdi are Maria Callas, Placido Domingo, Fiorenza Cossotto, Renata Scotto, Sherill Milnes and Nicholai Ghiarouv. I also enjoy listening to Giuletta Simoniato, Carlo Bergonzi, Anna Moffo and Giuseppe Di Stefano.




 As for my favorite Operas I love Don Carlo for its incredible plot, music and its large scale. I love Il Trovatore as well as Macbeth. Attila, La Traviata, Otello and Luisa Miller are also among my favorite Verdi Operas.

Please post clips of favorite performances as well!

Anna Netrebko Signing

On October Anna Netrebko took time to Sign CDs of her latest Album Verdi and I was there to see the Russian Soprano.

Here are the pictures:

La Fanciulla del West Videos

The first videos of Jonas Kaufmann and Nina Stemme's new Fanciulla are out. The production premiered on October 5 and will hopefully come out on DVD. Check out the video.

Anna Netrebko New Photo shoot

Netrebko shows off her curves in new photo shoot for Slava Filippov. The diva is current preforming Eugene Onegin and will next be heading to Berlin for her first performances of Il Trovatore.

Aleksandra Kurzak Cancels Rigoletto

This felt inevitable after Elina Garanca cancelled Werther.  The Met press office: “Two rising young sopranos will make their Met debuts earlier than originally scheduled when they share the role of Gilda in Verdi’sRigoletto later this fall, replacing Aleksandra Kurzak, who has withdrawn due to pregnancy. Russian soprano Irina Lungu will sing the role on November 11, 15, and 18, and Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva will sing the role on November 21, 27, 30, December 4, and at the December 7 matinee. Kurzak is expecting a baby this winter with her partner, tenor Roberto Alagna.”  

Norma Opens Tonight

Sondra Radvanovsky returns to the Met in one the most demanding roles in the repertoire. Aleksandrs Antonenko and Kate Aldrich join the cast with Riccardo Frizza in the pit. 

For more information Click here for the Latinos Post Preview  

The Nose Premieres Tonight

The Nose will premiere this afternoon at the Met Opera. The opera will be conducted by Valery Gergiev and stars Paulo Szot. 

For more information Click Here for Our Preview.
The Met will broadcast the Premiere at 1pm on their website.  

Anna Netrebko Tickets For 2015 On Sale

As I was browsing Facebook I came across a concert scheduled for 2015. The Albert Hall in London has already scheduled Anna Netrebko for a concert performance of Iolanta. I know the soprano is scheduled to sing the role at the Met in that year. However the Met has not yet to announce that. It seems odd and a bit crazy but it looks like schedules are coming out quicker every day. Whatever the case may be, Tickets are now on sale and the funny thing the top section is already sold out.

The Nose Preview 2013-14

Valery Gergiev returns to the Met Podium for William Kentridge;s production of Shostakovich's "The Nose" Paulo Szot stars in one of his most acclaimed role.

When the Met first introduced the chamber opera in 2010 audiences and critics complained that the work was too small for the big theater. Nevertheless the production by Kentridge was hailed for its visual style and inventiveness. Critics hailed it and stated, Kentridge "has unleashed his imagination on Shostakovich’s bitterly satirical and breathless opera." The production which is set in the 1930s is likely to receive majpor attention this year as it will be included in the Live in HD transmission. With an incredible cast and conductor it is sure to be one of the most memorable nights at the opera. 

Placido Domingo signing

A day after the Met opened its 2013-14 season Placido Domingo signed  copies of his new CD Verdi. The baritone-Tenor  was accompanied by his two sons and his grand child as well as his wife Marta. Dave and I were there to get autographs in a line that included hundreds of fans. Here are a couple of pictures we were able to get during the signing.

For more Pictures of the event visit our facebook page

Eugene Onegin Opens Tomorrow

On Sept. 23 The Met Opera will inaugurate its seasons. Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin will star Anna Netrebko, Maurisz Kwiecien, and Piotr Beczala Deborah Warner's New Production. 

  

For More Information Click Here

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.

First Pictures of Eugene Onegin

The New York Times has unveiled two pictures of Anna Netrebko and Mariusz Kwiecien in Eugene Onegin. The production is set to open on September 23 and is one of the most anticipated operas of the year.

Pretty Yende to Sing Four Roles at the Met

Parterre's La Cieca is reporting that Pretty Yende, a standout Met debutante last season in Le Comte Ory, has signed with the company for for four roles over the next three years: Pamina and Lucia in 2014-2015, Adina in 2015-2016 and Rosina in 2016-2017.

CD and DVD release For the Month of September

The month of September see the release of many great CDs and DVDs from the top artist in the industry.

The first release of the month is a CD recording of Riccardo Muti's acclaimed Otello. I was able to see a performance of this opera in Carnegie Hall with Muti and the same cast on this CD and it was one of the highlights of that season. The cast includes Aleksandrs Antonenko, Krassimira Stoyanova and Carlo Guelfi. The CD will be released by CSO Resound and is a must buy.  

New York City Opera Kickstarter

 I just came across the Kickstarter campaign for the New York City Opera. I have never attended the companies performances but I know that they have been a foundation and an elemental link to starting many young opera singers careers. I would hate to see this art form be lost because there is no money. If you think about it, it all starts with one company and then for all we know it could happen to the Met or LA Scala or the Covent Garden. I mean that seems exaggerated but the New York City Opera used to be so important to Lincoln Center and it no longer has a home. I will attach the link to this blog and see if any of you guys want to donate or spread the word. Believe me it will be for a great cause. Click here for the Kickstarter

Deborah Voigt Retires Isolde

Deborah Voigt Has decided to retire the role of Isolde in "Tristan und Isolde" as she bowed out of the revival for the Washington National Opera. The singer said, "Returning to a role that I love but haven’t sung in a number of seasons, and encountering its unique challenges, has caused me to reconsider keeping it in my repertoire,. I’m very disappointed that I feel compelled to withdraw from this production, but am very happy to continue my association with WNO both this season and into the future." This is the second Wagner role she bows out of. She was scheduled to make her role debut as Ortrud in "Lohengrin." 

Met Opera 2014-2015 season Opening Night: Richard Eyre to Direct New Le Nozze di Figaro

The New York Times reports that Peter Gelb has changed the director of the 2014-15 season opening night. Richard Eyre will direct a new production replacing Michael Grandage who can not do the production. Peter Mattei will sing the Count but it is unknown who the rest of the cast will be. Rumor has it Maija Kovalevska, Marlis Petersen and Mikhail Peterenko are set to star. Continue reading

Deutsche Grammophon Announces Red Square DVD

 The Yellow label has announced the DVD to the historical Red Square concert and the cover art is exactly the poster that was used to promote the concert. The program featured works by Verdi, Tchiakovsky, Giordano, Puccini and Cilea.

2014 Salzburg Festival Plans

Alexander Perriera has previewed the 2014 Salzburg Festival and promises a lot of surprises. The director said that he is planning a new production of Il Trovatore with Anna Netrebko, Placido Domingo and Francesco Meli. He is also planning a new production of Der Rosenkavalier with Zubin Mehta conducting. There will also be a Don Giovanni production and Scubert's Fierrabras. On the concert schedule there will be a full cycle of Bruckner sypmphonies, conducted by the likes of Daniel Barenboim, Riccardo Muti, Daniele Gatti, Riccardo Chailly, Philippe Jordan, Bernard Haitink and Christoph Eschenbach. No details have been revealed yet but more will come in November. 

Elina Garanca To Change Repertoire

The Latvian Mezzo soprano recently told the Kurier her desire to change repertoire and revealed that she wants to sing Verdi. 

She stated, "As I turn 40 I want to sing more Verdi, and look more at the dramatic repertoire. I dream of Amneris in Aida, that would be the summit. I have Parsifal at home right now, and I'm looking at Brangäne in Tristan und Isolde. Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana is already scheduled, and in Don Carlo is on the books for 2016."

Met 2015-19 Predictions

As the season comes to a start new details on the upcoming Met season have been released by La Cieca on Parterre. The site announced the replacement of the Faust as well as the opening night for the 2015-16 season.

According to the blog, the 2014-2015 season is going to go off pretty much as predicted, except that Faust is not going to happen.A possible revival of Macbeth will take its place, though most likely without Anna Netrebko, whose Lady Macbeth  will not arrive in New York until later.

2015-16: Netrebko will sing Desdemona in the 2015-2016 opening night production of Otello, starring Alexsandrs Antonenko and Zeljko Lucic, under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin. However Netrebko will sing Il trovatore and Don Pasquale.  The Deborah Warner Messiah has been canceled and a revival of Die Fledermaus will also happen. Placido Domingo will return to Simon Boccanegra. A new production of  Manon Lescaut will premiere with  Jonas Kaufmann and Kristine Opolais.

2016-2017: The Dmitri Tcherniakov Der Rosenkavalier will happen with Joyce DiDonato,Erin Morley and Renée Fleming.  That season also sees the long-awaited return of Guillaume Tell to the Met repertoire featuring Bryan Hymel/John Osborn, and Angela Meade/Marina Rebeka . Netrebko is featured in a revival of Onegin and a revival of Manon Lescaut.

2017-2018:  Semiramide will return to the repertoire with DiDonato in the title part.  Netrebko will sing Lady M.

Between 2017 and 2019 plans are obviously very flexible. Stefan Herheim‘s Meistersinger is, as we know, on its way, but La Cieca’s source says the Met is “putting out feelers” for a new Lohengrin as well. Sometime (sooner rather than later) Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolo will team for new productions ofRoméo et Juliette and Les pêcheurs de perles directed by Mary Zimmerman. There are also plans for Netrebko to sing Norma.

Anna Netebko Verdi Album review

I recently published my first Cd review through Latinospost. Here is a sample of the review and you can continue reading.

"It has been five years since Anna Netrebko recorded a solo album for her record company Deutsche Grammophon. This year she celebrates her tenth anniversary with the company with a CD dedicated to Giuseppe Verdi's 200^th anniversary entitled "Verdi." The CD is a selection of arias that were personal favorites of the soprano and a preview of works she will add to her repertoire in the coming seasons.Since her album "Souvenirs" Netrebko's voice has obtained a larger, heavier and darker sound. The soprano who once sang the coloratura and lyric roles proves in her latest album she is ready for more dramatic ones." Continue Reading.

Alice Coote and Sophie Koch To Replace Elina Garanca

The Met press office has just released the following press statement: “Elina Garanca has withdrawn from her 2013-14 Met engagements because she is pregnant with her second child, who is due this winter. Garanca was originally scheduled to sing Octavian in three performances of Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier and Charlotte in a new production of Massenet’s Werther. Two star mezzo-sopranos will replace her in these performances: Alice Coote in Der Rosenkavalier and Sophie Koch, making her Met debut, in Werther.“