Zurich Opera 2014-15 season to be headlined y Anna Netrebko, Diana Damrau, Joyce Didonato, and Cecilia Bartoli

The Zurich Opera has announced the 2014-15 season. The season will feature nine new productions.

The full list of premieres:

• Lohengrin - Simone Young, Andreas Homoki - with the great Klaus Florian Vogt in his signature role and Elza van den Heever as Elsa.
• The Turn of the Screw - Constantin Trinks, Willy Decker - with Pavol Breslik rounding those vowels as Quint
• Robin Hood by Frank Schwemmer - a children's opera
• Die Zauberflöte - Cornelius Meister, Tatjana Gürbaca 
• Juliette - Fabio Luisi, Andreas Homoki - Annette Dasch takes the title role
• Rote Laterne by Christian Jost - Alain Altinoglu, Nadja Laschky
• La traviata - Marco Armiliato, David Herman - Anita Hartig/Ailyn Perez, Pavol Breslik/Matthew Polenzani, Quinn Kelsey
• La verità in cimento - Ottavio Dantone, Jan Philipp Gloger  - a Vivaldi obscurity with an impressive period-specialist cast
• I Capuleti e i Montecchi - Fabio Luisi, Christof Loy - Anita Hartig and Joyce DiDonato are the lovelorn couple

There will also be a few revivals with big names. Among them are the revival of the Guth/Luisi Ariadne auf Naxos. Cecilia Bartoli will return to the theater  to perform "La Cenrentola"alongside Lawrence Brownlee. 

Claus Guth's Tristan und Isolde reappears conducted by Jiří Bělohlávek, and featuring Nina Stemme and Stephen Gould. Anna Netrebko will return to her acclaimed portrayal of Anna Bolena. She will be joined by Luca Pisaroni. There will also be a revival of Elektra with Evelyn Herlitzius in the title role and Emily Magee. Luca di Lammermoor will also be performed with Sonya Yoncheva while Aida will be revived with Latonia Moore in the title role. Finally Diana Damrau will sing Adina in L'Elisir d'Amore, 

New CDs and DVD from Bartoli, Florez and Domingo

Decca has finally announced Juan Digo Florez's next album. The CD concentrates o the french repertoire and features works by Gounod, Massanet, Berlioz, Donizetti, and Delibe. Robbert Abbado conduct the Bologna orchestra and it is scheduled for release in March.

And for those Bartoli lovers, Decca is releasing two new DVDs from the Zurich Opera. The first release according to Amazon UK will be Le Comte Ory which has been delayed a number of times. Later Otello will be released. The DVDs come out in anticipation of Bartolis 2014 Whitsun Festival at Salzburg “Rossinissmo.” There she will perform La Cenrentola, Otello, a Rossini Gala and her role debut of L'Italiana in Algeri.    

 

And for Domingo fans, Sony has just announced his next album which features highlights from his Met career. 

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  

Notable CD and DVD Releases For the Month of June

The month of June will conclude the Tutto Verdi celebration as well as will bring a new CD by Alekandra Kurzak and Cecilia Bartioli's new Norma. Additionally Renee Fleming's Ariadne Auf Naxos will finally be released.

The most anticipated release of the month is by far Cecilia Bartoli's Norma. The new recording also stars Sumi Jo and John Osborn and brings a new critical edition that should prove revealing for audiences and the musical world around. It may also split many but it is one to listen to if for mere curiosity. 

Bartoli's Norma Streamed for Free

For the first time I must admit I enjoy something that Cecilia Bartoli is doing. Her new Norma recording is currently being streamed for free on the Guardian and it is quite incredible. The recording also stars Sumi Jo and John Osborn. She will open a new production at Salzburg this month.

Tell us what you think of this unconventional Norma and tell us if it meets the dramatic demands required today.

Cecilia Bartoli's new Norma Recording

Decca has just announced the highly antcipated Norma recording by Cecilia Bartoli. Cecilia Bartoli “It was my wish to bring Bellini’s opera closer to the sound world of the bel canto period. Alongside the vocal casting in keeping with the voices at the first performance, a critical edition compiled from the autograph score, adherence to the original tempi, dynamics and phrasing, lowering the pitch to 430 hz and using authentic instruments as of the period all play their part in allowing the manifold nuances of this work to come to the fore, and for the composer’s vision hopefully to be fulfilled.”

Who is looking forward to this recording and her upcoming Salzburg performances which are expected to be recorded for a future DVD release.

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.