Janos Starker dies at 88

One of my biggest inspirations has passed away. Janos Starker was one of the greatest cellist. His technique, his musicality were unique and his mentor ship to so many students built Indianna University's amazing program. To the great master Janos Starker, you will always be remembered!

HD Awards 2013 Nominations

Today I announce my nominations for Salazar Family Circle's Annual HD Awards. I added a couple more categories and I have feeling that will be the end of any new additions. This year was really tricky to pick the best because there were a lot of standout performances and productions. Nonetheless I present the very best in HD this year. Tell us what you think of the nominees and who you think was the best. Let us know if you think we missed something. We will Announce the Winners Later this week!

HD Season Comes to A Close!

This weekend the HD season comes to a close and we want to know which were your favorites, which were the standout performances and which you think should be released on DVD? A Few Days Later I will release my HD award nominees and shortly after will release the winners! 

Anna Netrebko and Placido Domingo to sing Trovatore

It is official Anna Netrebko and Placido Domingo will sing Il Trovatore in Berlin this year. They will be joined by Aleksandrs Antonenko in the title role. Daniel Barenboim will lead the orchestra.

Domingo is also slated to sing Simon Boccanegra while Luidmyla Monastyrska will sing her acclaimed Aida. The company will also present La Boheme, Il Barabiere di Siviglia, Don Carlos and La Traviata. Salome will be presented.

For more information on the Season Click here .

Jonas Kaufmann and Nina Stemme win the International Opera Awards

On Monday April 22, the Opera Awards were held with Jonas Kaufmann winning two awards as well as Antonio Pappano. Nina Stemme won best Female singer while Dimitri Tcherniakov won best director. The Metropolitan opera took home the best Accessibility award and Best Orchestra. 

Faust Met Opera 2014-2015 Performances cancelled

The planned revival of Faust at the Met in the fall of 2014 has been canceled, because  according to La Cieca/Parterre sources, Netrebko did not feel like singing the production currently at the Met. As a result the company has under contract Anna Netrebko, Joseph Calleja, Artur Rucinski and René Pape for eight performances or so during that time.  

Now that the company has these artists what do you think they should perform? 

Sir Colin Davis Dies At 85

Sir Colin Davis Died on Sunday after a brief Illness. The conductor of the London Symphony was best known for reviving Berlioz's operas and works. He was also known for his interpretations of Tanhauser, Falstaff and Mozart's Operas. We will miss his musicality and his dedication to Classical Music

First Pictures of Eugene Onegin From Vienna

Anna Netrebko made her role debut as Tatiana at the Vienna State Opera. She sang along Dimitri Hvorostovsky and Dimtri Korchak. Der Kurier stated “Her letter scene was glorious, and her final meeting with Onegin beguiling. Netrebko leaves nothing to be desired vocally and is a consummate artist as well. She has joined the list of the greatest interpreters of this role and is a gift to the world of opera.”  The performance was recorded and will be broadcast on the radio on April 27th through OR. 

A New Manon Lescaut and Meistersingers

The Met will get a new production of Manon Lescaut from Richard Eyre. The staging will be a co-production with the Baden Baden Festival that will premiere next year with Eva-Maria Westbroek. Stefan Herheim also announced that his new production of Der Meistersingers will be a co production the New York and Paris. 

Casting has not been announced for either production but hopefully Lescaut will star Anna netrebko and Jonas Kaufmann. For Meistersingers most likely Bryn Terfel and Johan Botha will be in the cast    

Notable DVDs and CDs for the Month of April

This month Verdi is celebrated throughout the world with new releases of his greatest and rarest operas.

The first release of the month is Ildar Abdrazakov's new Attila. The bass is one of the greatest interpreters of the role in present times. I had the chance to see him at the Met and he was great. The DVD also stars Marinsky theater singers and is conducted by Vary Gergiev. This will most likely be the first of more Marinsky releases as the company gets bigger. 

Las Vegas Rigoletto Coming to DVD

The art work to the Met's new Rigoletto has been revealed. The production by Michael Mayer was a huge hit and stars Piotr Beczala, Zeljko Lucic and Diana Damrau in the principal roles. The DVD will be released on May 21 months before it is televised on PBS.

Giulio Cesare Opens Tomorrow

Handel's most popular opera Giulio Cesare will open tomorrow with Natalie Dessay and David Daniels in the lead roles. Patricia Bardon, Christophe Dumaux, and Alice Coote round out the cast that will be conducted by Harry Bicket. David McVicar will direct his fourth production at the Metropolitan Opera. 

For more information click here