Rodell Rosel “brilliantly” embodies Don Basilio at Tanglewood
Tenor Rodell Rosel joined Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra for Tanglewood’s first complete performance of Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro on August 1. Directed by James Darrah Black, the concert featured Rosel as the meddlesome music master Don Basilio. “A...
Yongzhao Yu brings “volcanic intensity” to TOSCA at Oper im Steinbruch
Tenor Yongzhao Yu opened as Cavaradossi in Oper im Steinbruch’s monumental new production of Puccini’s Tosca on July 15. Staged by Thaddeus Strassberger in the vast St. Margarethen quarry, the production continues through August 22. “entwickelt sich zu einem...
Emily Senturia brings “stateliness and vigor” to RINALDO at West Edge Opera
Conductor Emily Senturia led West Edge Opera’s new superhero-inspired production of Handel’s Rinaldo at Oakland’s Scottish Rite Center on August 2, 8, and 15. Directed and choreographed by Keturah Stickann, the production recast the Baroque epic as a colorful...
Blake Denson hailed as a “vigorous, mahogany-toned Altair” at Bard
Bass-baritone Blake Denson appeared as the nomad chieftain Altair in Bard SummerScape’s rare new production of Richard Strauss’s Die ägyptische Helena. Directed by Christian Räth, the production ran July 24–August 2 at the Fisher Center. “a vigorous, mahogany-toned...
Jonas Hacker makes a “vocally compelling” Salzburg Festival appearance
Tenor Jonas Hacker returned to the Salzburg Festival as the Dancing Master in its new production of Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos. Directed by Ersan Mondtag and conducted by Manfred Honeck, the production opened at the Haus für Mozart in August and continues...
L2 Artists Announces New Artists
L2 Artists is pleased to announce eight new additions to its international roster of artists. Finnish‑American Conductor Ari Pelto is in demand across opera, symphonic, and ballet stages worldwide. His career includes acclaimed work from London’s Royal Opera to the...
Ari Pelto praised for a sensitive MADAMA BUTTERFLY at Opera Colorado
Opera Colorado Music Director Ari Pelto returned to Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, leading five performances from May 2–10. Directed by Mo Zhou, the production starred Eri Nakamura as Cio-Cio-San alongside Joseph Dennis, Kristen Choi,...
Celia Llácer advances from the Concertgebouw to the Verbier Festival
Conductor Celia Llácer continues a summer of high-level professional development after being selected as one of four participants in the Ammodo Conducting Masterclass with Iván Fischer and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Held June 23–25 in Amsterdam’s...
Eric Taylor helps bring MADAME BUTTERFLY back to Glimmerglass
Eric Taylor opened as B.F. Pinkerton in Glimmerglass Festival’s revival of Francesca Zambello’s Madame Butterfly on July 11, with additional performances through August 17. “This is the essence of opera.” — Words and Music “A top-notch cast and creative team.” — Words...
Joseph Lattanzi’s FELLOW TRAVELERS grips San Diego Opera
Joseph Lattanzi reprised the role he created, Hawkins Fuller, for the Southern California premiere of Gregory Spears’s Fellow Travelers. San Diego Opera presented the work July 10–12 as part of its 10th-anniversary tour. “The tight, inescapable synthesis of text and...