Tuesday, October 22, 2013

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 

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

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. 

Monday, October 14, 2013

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. 





Saturday, October 12, 2013

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.  

Thursday, October 10, 2013

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!

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

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.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

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.