By Nicolas Quiroga
The Vancouver Opera House is set to present a live simulcast of “HMS Pinafore” on May 7, 2022 at the šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn (formerly the QET Plaza).
Conductor Rosemary Thomson is set to debut with the company alongside a cast starring soprano Caitlin Wood; tenor Ernesto Ramírez; baritones Jorell Williams, Peter McGillivray and Marcus Nance; and mezzo-soprano Megan Latham. “HMS Pinafore” will be sung in English with subtitles.
“This inaugural simulcast of ‘HMS Pinafore’ at šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn (formerly the QET Plaza) is a great way to celebrate opera with a new audience,” said Vancouver Opera General Manager Tom Wright in an official press statement. “Our goal is to make this a fun celebration of the arts and provide new audience members a glimpse into the magic created by Vancouver Opera on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre stage.”
The simulcast is sponsored by Jana and Bill Maclagan.
By Francisco Salazar
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its performance of Berlioz’s “Les Troyens” on May 9, 2022.
The company noted that Ekaterina Semenchuk will replace Anita Rachvelishvili in the role of Didon.
Semenchuk is currently performing at the Munich company in a production of “Macbeth.” The mezzo-soprano recently sang at the Mariinsky Theatre under the baton of Valery Gergiev and has just received the Casta Diva Award at the St. Petersburg theater.
“Les Troyens” is set to be conducted by Daniele Rustioni and directed by Christophe Honoré. Semenchuk joins a cast that includes Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Emily Sierra, Eve-Maud Hubeaux, Lindsay Ammann, Daniel Noyola, Stéphane Degout, Martin Snell, Armando Elizondo, and Gregory Kunde.
Rachvelishvili returns to the production for the second performance on May 14, 2022.
By David Salazar
Long Beach Opera is set to present Händel’s “Giustino” starting on May 21, 2022.
The penultimate production in the company’s 2021-22 season will be directed by James Darrah and will be conducted by Christopher Rountree. The cast will star Anna Schubert, Orson Van Gay, Luke Elmer, Dante Mireles, Marlaina Owens, Sharon Chohi Kim, Amanda Lynn Bottoms, and Douglas Williams.
For this production, Darrah will use a hybrid cinema-theater mix in which the action of scenes will take place amongst the audience and in different parts of the Museum of Latin American Art, where the showcase is set to take place.
“The potential to craft layered, nuanced performances with the cast through incorporating cinematography as a tool within the operatic form is wholly exciting and I strongly feel it represents the future of opera’s (partially pandemic-fueled) new cinematic potential,” Darrah said in an official press statement. “‘Giustino is the perfect piece to embrace this new type of operatic experience: one that emphatically utilizes film and installation art as a tool to embed within Handel’s bold creation, as well as a canvas for the live music-making theatrical talents of Shelley Washington and Christopher Rountree as we work to craft a celebratory, sensorial, media-rich live opera experience.”
The production will also be performed on May 22 and 28, 2022.
The soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska, replacing the Russian superstar Anna Netrebko at the Met in “Turandot,” wrapped herself in a Ukrainian flag for her curtain call.
Liudmyla Monastyrska, the Ukrainian soprano, sang the title role in “Turandot” at the Metropolitan Opera on Saturday night in place of the Russian diva Anna Netrebko, whom the company dropped over her past support of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.
When the performance ended, Ms. Monastyrska sent a pointed message during the curtain calls: she emerged, to applause, wrapped in the Ukrainian flag.
“I wanted to help however I could,” Ms. Monastyrska said in a recent interview as she prepared for Saturday night’s performance. She said that her parents, her son and her brother were still in Ukraine. “I think about them every minute and every second,” she said.
Ms. Netrebko, one of opera’s biggest stars, saw her international engagements dry up after Russia invaded Ukraine because of her past support for Mr. Putin. In 2014, she was photographed holding a flag used by Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine.
After losing a great deal of work in the West, Ms. Netrebko later sought to distance herself from Mr. Putin. “I am not a member of any political party nor am I allied with any leader of Russia,” she said in a statement in late March, noting that she had only met Mr. Putin “a handful of times.”
The statement did not change the Met’s position. But Ms. Netrebko was invited to perform at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo in Monaco, where she sang the title role in another Puccini opera, “Manon Lescaut,” on Saturday night.
By David Salazar
(Credit: RibaltaLuceStudio)
Wigmore Hall is set to present countertenor Raffaele Pe and baroque ensemble “La Lira di Orfeo” on May 20, 2022.
The performance will include music by Monteverdi, Giovanni Paolo Cima, and Dario Castello.
In an official press statement, Pe noted that this program was “a way to evoke Monteverdi’s introverted yet generous and cheerful spirit letting his immortal melodies to speak for themselves. From the ‘Vespers’ to ‘[L’Incoronazione di] Poppea,’ thourgh monodic madrigals and motets, this program unveils all the depth and modernity of his music.”
Pe founded “La Lira di Orfeo” in 2015 with the goal of bringing together musicians of ancient instruments together to showcase rarely performed or forgotten works. The ensemble recently presented this very program at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. The ensemble is set to perform at the Monteverdi Festival Cremona in June alongside Pe and soprano Danielle De Niese.
Pe is also scheduled to perform in “Tamerlano” at The Grange Festival this May.
By David Salazar
The Music Academy of the West has announced its 2022 festival.
For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal events.
There will be an opening night showcasing the members of the Vocal Institute.
Performance Date: June 16, 2022
Mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke will join forces with John Churchwell at Lobero Theatre for the world premiere of a work by Tom Cipullo created for the organization’s 75th anniversary.
Performance Date: June 28, 2022
There will be a Lehrer Vocal Institute Showcase focusing on the music of Tom Cipulo.
Performance Date: July 1, 2022
There will be a presentation of “Eugene Onegin” by the Lehrer Vocal Institute.
Performance Date: July 15 & 17, 2022
There will be a Guest Artist concert featuring soprano Susanna Phillips.
Performance Date: July 25, 2022
Audiences will also get a chance to check out the Marilyn Horne Song Competition.
Performance Date: August 3, 2022
Additionally, there will be masterclasses with such artists as Martin Katz, Susanna Phillips, Maureen Zoltek, Bill Schumann, John Churchwell, and Sasha Cooke.
By Francisco Salazar
Boston Lyric Opera’s is set to present a new production of “Champion: An Opera in Jazz” by Terence Blanchard and libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Cristofer.
The contemporary opera will be directed by theater director Timothy Douglas and conducted by Kwamé Ryan.
“The story of Champion is one of a desire to find a sense of belonging,” says Acting Stanford Calderwood General & Artistic Director Bradley Vernatter. “The details may be unique to Emile Griffith, but it is the story of many. Terence Blanchard’s score is a mix of styles, one that is uniquely American, and reveals the warmth of Emile’s story, and the complexities of his life.”
The cast is set to include Brian Major, Markel Reed, Tichina Vaughn, Chabrelle L. Williams, Jesus Garcia, Todd Thomas, Stephanie Blythe, Neal Ferreira, and Nicholas LaGesse.
“Champion” is set to be performed three times on May 18, 20, and 22 at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theater.
By Francisco Salazar
The Bilbao Opera has announced its 2022-23 season featuring
Jessica Pratt, Xabier Anduaga, Andrzej Filończyk, and Manuel Fuentes star in Bellini’s “I Puritani” in a production by Emilio Sagi and Giacomo Sagripanti conducts the Euskadiko Orkestra.
Performance Dates: Oct. 15-24, 2022
Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena” is set to star Joyce El-Khoury, Silvia Tro Santafé, Marko Mimica, and Celso Albelo. The production by Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera will be conducted by Jordi Benacer.
Performance Dates: Nov. 19-28, 2022
Vanessa Goikoetxea, Marina Viotti, Xabier Anduaga, Pietro Spagnoli, Itziar de Unda and David Menéndez lead Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” with Óliver Díaz leading the Euskadiko Orkestra. Marta Eguilior directs the new production. The second cast of the Opera Berri will be led by Verónica Tello, Anna Gomá, Diego Godoy, and José Manuel Díaz. Pedro Bartolomé leads the second cast.
Performance Dates: Jan. 21-30, 2023
Puccini’s “Tosca” will star Oksana Dyka, Roberto Aronica, and Gabriele Viviani in a production by Mario Pontiggia. Pedro Halffter conducts the Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa.
Performance Dates: Feb. 18-27, 2023
Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” is set to star Anna Pirozzi, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Celso Albelo, and Juan Jesús Rodríguez. Lorenzo Mariani directs a new production while Francesco Ivan Ciampa conducts the Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa.
Performance Dates: May 20-29, 2023
Angela Meade, Daniela Barcellona, Sergio Escobar, Claudio Sgura, and David Lagares headline “Concierto Tutto Verdi.” Daniel Oren conducts the Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa.
Performance Date: Sept. 24, 2022
By Afton Wooten
(Credit: Taylor Ballantyne)
San Francisco Opera and Lumahai Productions received the “2022 Webby People’s Voice Award” for best music “Video Series & Channel” in recognition of its video series “In Song.” This award is given by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.
This award is what the New York Times describes as “the Internet’s highest honor.” The competitive category included five nominees including NPR, Pitchfork, and Soundcloud.
“In Song” featured opera stars soprano Amina Edris, mezzo-sopranos Jamie Barton and j’Nai Bridges, tenors Arturo Chacón-Cruz and Pene Pati with guest banjo player Béla Fleck (with Barton). Each episode explored a cultural tradition that related to the artist’s personal and musical journey.
In an official statement, San Francisco Opera’s General Director Matthew Shilvock said, “I am ecstatic that San Francisco Opera’s In Song series was recognized by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences and voted a Webby’s People’s Voice winner! We wanted this series to connect audiences to the intimate humanity of opera, and I am so proud of what has come to life on screen…”
The series will continue this summer and feature Chinese soprano Meigui Zhang. All episodes are available on San Francisco Opera’s Youtube Channel and Facebook.
By Francisco Salazar
Premieres
Beethoven’s “Fidelio” will get a new production starring Barbara Haveman, Marco Jentzsch, Thomas de Vries, Dimitry Ivashchenko, Anastasiya Taratorkina, Anna El-Khashem, Ralf Rachbauer, Christopher Bolduc, and Benjamin Russell. Will Humburg conducts the production by Evelyn Herlitzius.
Performance Dates: Oct. 16, 2022-Jan. 8 2023
Franz Lehár’s “The Merry Widow” will star Konstantin Gorny, Anna El-Khashem, Thomas Blondelle, Johannes Martin Kränzle, Elissa Huber, Ioan Hotea, and Gustavo Quaresma. Johannes Klumpp conducts the production by Uwe Eric Laufenberg.
Performance Dates: Dec. 3, 2022-June 14, 2023
Olesya Golovneva sings the title role in Dvořák’s “Rusalka” with Gerard Schneider, Derrick Ballard, and Katrin Wundsa. Philipp Pointner conducts the new production by Olesya Golovneva and Daniela Kerck.
Performance Dates: Jan. 21-March 23, 2023
Benjamin Russell, Samuel Levine, Heather Engebretson, Christopher Bolduc, Fleuranne Brockway, and Mischa Schelomianski star Søren Nils Eichberg’s “Oryx and Crake.” Albert Horne conducts the production by Uwe Eric Laufenberg.
Performance Dates: Feb. 18-April 21, 2023
Janáček’s “The Makropulos Case” will star Elissa Huber, Aaron Cawley, Erik Biegel, Fleuranne Brockway, and Claudio Otelli. Johannes Klumpp conducts the production by Nicolas Brieger.
Performance Dates: April 30-July 7, 2023
Janáček’s “From the House of the Dead” will star Christopher Bolduc, Julian Habermann, Aaron Cawley, and Ralf Rachbauer. Johannes Klumpp conducts the production by Nicolas Brieger.
Performance Dates: April 30-July 6, 2023
Revivals
Derrick Ballard, Timo Riihonen, Young Doo Park, Betsy Horne, Marco Jentzsch, Thomas de Vries, and Gustavo Quaresma star in Wagner’s “De Mesitersinger von Nurnberg.” Alexander Joel conducts the revival.
Performance Dates: Sept. 17, 2022-July 8, 2023
Joe Masteroff, Fred Ebb, and John Kander’s “Cabaret” will star Lina Habicht, Femke Soetenga, Elissa Huber, Julian Culemann, Evelyn M.Faber, Gottfried Herbe, Stefan Roschy, Felicitas Geipel, and Silvia Willecke. Michael Nündel conducts.
Performance Dates: Sept. 18, 2022-July 1, 2023
Ioan Hotea, Piero Pretti, Aluda Todua, Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Anastasiya Taratorkina, Cristina Pasaroiu, Young-Doo Park, Fleuranne Brockway, and Silvia Hauer star in Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” Will Humburg conducts.
Performance Dates: Oct. 2, 2022-May 9, 2023
Fleuranne Brockway, Silvia Hauer, Anastasiya Taratorkina, Ralf Rachbauer, Christopher Bolduc, and Vera Ivanovic lead Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel.” Christoph Stiller conducts.
Performance Dates: Dec. 4-26, 2022
Tchaikovsky’s “Pique Dame” will star Aaron Cawley, Thomas de Vries, Benjamin Russell, Elena Bezgodkova, and Silvia Hauer. Holger Reinhardt conducts.
Performance Dates: Dec. 9, 2022-Feb. 25, 2023
Marco Jentzsch, Andreas Schager, Nina Stemme, Anja Harteros, Magdalena Anna Hofmann, Khatuna Mikaberidze, Young Doo Park, and Thomas de Vries lead Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde.” Alexander Joel conducts.
Performance Dates: Jan. 29-July 2, 2023
Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier” is set to star Elissa Huber, Maria Bengtsson, Timo Riihonen, Silvia Hauer, Thomas de Vries, Anastasiya Taratorkina, and Katharina Konradi. Johannes Klumpp conducts.
Performance Dates: Feb. 26-June 16, 2023
Puccini’s “Il Trittico” returns with Albert Horne conducting. “Il Tabarro” will star Daniel Luis de Vicente, Aaron Cawley, Cristina Pasaroiu, Olesya Golovneva while “Suor Angelica” will star Pasaroiu and Golovneva in the title role and Romina Boscolo. Finally, “Gianni Schicchi” will star Daniel Luis de Vicente, Pasaroiu, Golovneva, Boscolo, and Ioan Hotea.
Performance Dates: March 17-May 8, 2023
Albert Horne conducts Bizet’s “Carmen” with Silvia Hauer and Fleuranne Brockway in the title role, Sumi Hwang, Aaron Cawley, and Jordan Shanahan.
Performance Dates: June 30-July 9, 2023
Concerts
Johannes Martin Kränzle and Yoel Gamzou team up for a program of music by Strauss and Mahler.
Performance Dates: Oct. 19, 2022
Recitals
Christopher Bolduc performs a recital.
Performance Date: Oct. 17, 2022
Audiences will get to see Silvia Hauer perform a song concert.
Performance Date: Nov. 7, 2022
Darcy Carroll performs in a song recital.
Performance Date: Jan. 9, 2023
Young Doo Park continues the recital series.
Performance Date: March 6, 2023
Anastasiya Taratorkina leads a program of song.
Performance Date: March 27, 2023
Marco Jentzsch performs in recital.
Performance Date: June 5, 2023
Benjamin Russell concludes the recital series of the season.
Performance Date: July 3, 2023
