This has been in the making for weeks after I caught the live stream of the Bayerische Staatsoper’s production of Les Vepres Siciliennes. The question remains. How well does the star-studded cast consisting of the young American spinto soprano Rachel Willis-Sorenson, the Italian lirico-spinto Leonardo Caimi, the Romanian dramatic baritone George Petean, and the Uruguayan bass-baritone Erwin Schrott? Find out in this review, enjoy, and have a blessed Easter week.
Giuseppe Verdi
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What happens when you combine a strapping Korean spinto tenor, a versatile and mighty American dramatic coloratura soprano with a spinto edge, a mighty and virile American dramatic baritone, a gorgeous and sinuous Georgian dramatic mezzo-soprano, and a voluminous Slovakian dramatic bass? Find out in this review and let me know your opinions as well.
Ah, Kabale und Liebe, known in English as Intrigue and Love, by Friedrich von Schiller. When this piece of German theater is put into opera by one of Italy’s most influential composers of the mid-19th century, then high-caliber singing is to be expected to serve the drama well, especially when there is a solid cast consisting of Marina Rebeka, Ivan Magrì, George Petean, Marko Mimica, Ante Jerkunica, and Judit Kutasi. Enjoy the review and let me know your opinions as well.
This was an evening of fabulous singing accomplished by a gorgeous lyric soprano, a fine young lyric tenor with a bright future ahead of him, and a veteran lyric-dramatic baritone whose tall and exciting presence left me with chills down my spine in the most positive way ever. Enjoy the review and let me know your opinions as well.
This was Maestro Dmitri Hvorostovsky’s final hurrah in the recording studio as the iconic hunchbacked jester, Rigoletto. Accompanying him on one of his final journeys were some absolutely astounding superstars who made this particular ride a fulfilling one. Enjoy the review and let me know your opinions as well.
Herr Jonas Kaufmann strikes again as the Infante prince, Don Carlos. This time he’s joined by two gorgeous leading ladies who rose to the challenge to sing the grand roles of Eboli and Elisabeth, portrayed respectively by the smoky-toned and sensual Elina Garanca and the youthful and versatile Sonya Yoncheva. Enjoy the review and let me know your opinions as well.
After countless engagements not only at the Deutsche Oper Berlin but also many other opera houses worldwide, the amazing and noble Noel Bouley rises up to the challenge to sing the famous Ethiopian warrior king, Amonasro. Joining him was the fine Spanish dramatic tenor with an incisive voice, Señor Jorge de Leon, who was the handsome, dashing, and strong Radames, and even Robert Watson in the small role of the Messenger, who is celebrating his very special day and this review is also dedicated to him. Enjoy the review and let me know your opinions as well.
All right, Mesdames et Messieurs, let’s all raise a glass to not only Ekaterina Bakanova as the tragic heroine, Violetta Valery, who lead a fabulous cast of international singers, but also to the great and beautiful city of Dresden, for simply being one of the greatest holiday destinations to go to.
My Italian voyage goes out with one great bang with Monsieur Arnaud Bernard’s really interesting production of Verdi’s Nabucco, an opera which has gained such a strong legacy. Enjoy the review and let me know your opinions as well.
One straight-up filmmaker, who does the major task of bringing Verdi’s grand-scaled opera of love and passion to life, rises up to the challenge to make it happen, especially with a cavalcade of internationally-known superstars. Enjoy the review and let me know your opinions as well.