L'Elisir d"Amore Review Link

For those wondering what happened to the reviews, my continues to write them but now he writes for Latinos Post. As a Result I will start publishing snippets of the review with the link to the full one. I hope this is not a problem as I am trying to give the best Opera coverage possible. Here is a piece from the L'Elisir d'Amore recently presented at the Met

On Feb. 1, the Metropolitan Opera presented Donizetti's "L'Elisir D'Amore" for the final time in the 2013-14 season. The performance was also the last time that soprano Anna Netrebko will play the heroine Adina for an audience; Netrebko herself made the announcement via social media on Sunday.

The revival of the work featured Bartlett Sher's production that opened the 2012-13 season. This writer attended a performance during the 2012-13 season and wrote an extensive analysis of the production (to read it, click HERE). There is really nothing new to add, except for the fact that it still does not work. Most of the new cast members added their own individual touches (more on that later), but the overall concept and idea of the production is still rather bland. The sets are traditional and mostly handsome, but the action is poorly delivered conceptually. A scene change in the middle of act two is not only awkwardly handled (extras walking onstage and pushing scenery on and off) but also excessively distracting to the action taking place between the main characters. In the final analysis, one is left wondering why the Met removed one traditional production (admittedly with little to say) for another that is equally vapid. Continue Reading 

Don Giovanni From Baden Baden

Last Years Don Giovanni with Erwin Schrott and Anna Netrebko is now YouTube. The performance is slated to be released on DVD by Sony Classical. There is no date set yet but Youtube has the complete performance available.

Notable DVD and CD Releases for the Month January and February

The January slate of DVDs looks dry at the moment. As a result I have decided to preview some of February's releases. 

The first release is the Met's latest "Eugene Onegin" starring Anna Netrebko and Mariusz Kwiecien. The release the marks the Met's first DVD release since Verdi's Rigoletto. It also marks the second Onegin the company releases. The production which opened the 2013-14 season also stars Piotr Beczala and was conducted by Valery Gergiev. 

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  

Erwin Schrott and Luca Pisaroni Confirm Don Giovanni DVD

On their facebook pages the two stars of the Baden Baden Don Giovanni have confirmed that the May 23rd performance was recorded for DVD. Pisaroni posted a picture in which he states "Today's performance of Don Giovanni was filmed for DVD. I was one of the camera men." Similarly Schrott posted a picture with a camera man and stated "Here's the answer: Erwin with Jérémie Cuvillier. Which means the Don Giovanni DVD is happening!"

The Baden Baden performances also star Anna Netrebko, Malena Ernman, and Charles Castronuovo. If this is true perhaps, this may be the reason why Teatro Alla Scala and the Met's recent broadcast never appeared on DVD. The next question is will the production be released on Deutsche Grammophon and when it will be released?

Don Giovanni Opens Tomorrow

Ildar  Abdrazakov and Erwin Schrott lead a new cast in Michael Grandage's dull production of Don Giovanni. Edward Gardner leads the Metropolitan Orchestra. 

For information on Don Giovanni read our preview linked here.

For more information on Ildar Abdrazkov in Mozart read our Le Nozze di Figaro review.

For more on Don Giovanni production read our review to last year's run.

Don Giovanni Preview 2012-2013

Michael Grandage's dull production of Don Giovanni returns to the Met after a sold out run with Ildar Abdrazakov, Erwin Schrott and a cast of up and coming singers.

The Production

Last year Michael Grandage made his awaited Met debut with this Don Giovanni production. Grandage promised an innovative and theatrical experience that would bring new insight to the work. However the result was the complete opposite. The production is made up of a unit set of  towers with balconies that close to form claustrophobic alleys and swing open for the ballroom and banquet scenes. Critics complained about the unfocused nature and its dullness. The problem is that the opera becomes rather bland and predictable. There is no play on any of the characters' ambiguities. Critics also stated that "There is a certain restraint in the violence, sex, and intrigue. This is a Don Giovanni that we have seen again and again. This lack of insight or depth makes me wonder where Grandage's attention was when directing this production, especially when one looks at the production's main attraction and greatest gimmick: the high walls filled with rows and rows of doors that open and close without any really method or direction." Last year the cast brought life to the production and in order for the production to succeed this year the cast must be spectacular as well. With young singers it will be interesting to see how they enliven this static production.

Ramon Vargas to replace to Jonas Kaufmann

A few days ago it was announced that superstar tenor Jonas Kaufmann would not sing at the Royal Albert Hall. Now word comes that Mexican tenor Ramon Vargas will sing the concert alongside Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott. For the full story click here.

Kaufmann's illness continues

After canceling the Met's Walkure and Zurich's Kaufmann Gala, news has arrived that Jonas Kaufmann has withdrawn from the anticipated Les Troyens production at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and from the Royal Albert Hall and Wigmore recitals.

Speculations are now arising of whether he will sing in Ariadne Auf Naxos and Carmen in Salzburg this summer. As for the Les Troyens, Bryan Hymel will takeover the role of Enee and the Royal Albert Hall concert will take place with Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott. The Wigmore recital has been cancelled.