Salazar's Opera Family Circle

Anna Netrebko To Record War Requiem

2013-05-20T21:38:00.000-07:00

Anna Netrebko confirmed that she is recording Britten's War Requiem with Antonio Pappano. She told a fan while she exited the the Baden Baden performances of Don Giovanni

Thomas Hampson also confirmed that his latest Simon Boccanegra performances with Kristine Opolais and Jpseph Calleja would be recorded for DECCA and released next year.

Bartoli's Norma Streamed for Free

2013-05-14T20:19:00.001-07:00

For the first time I must admit I enjoy something that Cecilia Bartoli is doing. Her new Norma recording is currently being streamed for free on the Guardian and it is quite incredible. The recording also stars Sumi Jo and John Osborn. She will open a new production at Salzburg this month.

Tell us what you think of this unconventional Norma and tell us if it meets the dramatic demands required today.

Placido Domingo vs. Leo Nucci

2013-05-09T13:44:00.002-07:00

I always hate comparing but I wanted to know what you guys think of these Nabucco performances from these two veteran artists with the great Liudmyla Monastyrska?

Met 2016 season- Cancels The Ring Cycle and La Forza del Destino

2013-05-08T21:36:00.001-07:00

It seems the Met has cancelled the revival of the Ring Cycle and has decided to replace it with a new production of Rusalka and a revival of Die Fliegende Hollander.

According to Parterre the company’s current production of Der Fliegende Holländer will return for five performances, featuring Michael Volle, Christine Goerke and Jay Hunter Morris. The Met will introduce a new production of Rusalka, with Kristine Opolais.

They also revealed that Eric Owens will star in the L'Amour de Loin which will replace the highly anticipated Messian Saint Francois d'Assise.

Martin Kusej's La Forza del Destino Production was also cancelled and it was rumored to star Jonas Kaufmann, Rene Pape and Dimitri Hvorostovsky. There are no details on what these artists will sing instead.

The 2013 HD Awards

2013-05-05T14:46:00.002-07:00

The following are Salazar Family Circle's awards for best HD performances for the 2012-2013 Metropolitan Opera Season. Those who have followed our blog may recall that this blog started with the 2010-2011 awards and continued last year. For this year's edition we have added a few categories and previously announced the nominees in an older blog post. The past year has been filled with great performances from many of the top singers, rising stars and conductors in the world. The following are the nominees and the winners for my Third annual HD Awards at the MET

Most Disappointing HD Performance of the year

Ernani

This year three productions were very disappointing for me. L'Elisir d'Amore, Otello, and Un Ballo In Maschera all brought out the worst in opera. None of them had the energy and the vitality these works needed in order to understand the drama or comedy. However Un Ballo was by far the worst of the three. It seems sad that for the third consecutive year a Verdi opera tops this prize but the fact is when you put a Verdi opera on, make sure the cast and the director are right for it. David Alden showed no respect for this work and made a circus out of it while Marcelo Alvarez and Sondra Radvanovsky looked clueless on stage. Their voices once again did not mesh and there acting was unacceptable. Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Stephanie Blythe and Kathleen Kim did their best with this production and sang some memorable lines but overall they looked lost.

Best Costume Design in a New or Revival Production

La Clemenza di Tito

Giulio Cesare

Maria Stuarda

Rigoletto

The Tempest

Best Set Design in A New or Revival Production

Giulio Cesare

Parsifal

Rigoletto

The Tempest

Les Troyens

Best Revival Production

La Clemenza di Tito

Francesca Da Rimini

Les Troyens

Best New Production

Giulio Cesare

Parsifal

The Tempest

Best Ensemble in an Opera Production

La Clemenza di Tito

Giulio Cesare

Parsifal

The Tempest

Les Troyens

Best Director in a New Production

Francois Girard-Parsifal

Michael Mayer-Rigoletto

David McVicar-Giulio Cesare

Best Diva In a Supporting Role

Olga Borodina-Aida

Alice Coote-Giulio Cesare

Katarina Dalayman-Parsifal

Kate Lindsey-La Clemenza d Tito

Audrey Luna-The Tempest

Best Divo in a Supporting Role

Mark Delavan-Francesca da Rimini

Christoph Dumaux-Giulio Cesare

Peter Mattei-Parsifal

Rene Pape-Parsifal

Faulk Struckmann-Otello

Best Conductor in an HD Performance

Thomas Ades-The Tempest

Maurizio Benini-Maria Stuarda

Harry Bicket-Giulio Cesare

Daniele Gatti-Parsifal

Fabio Luisi-Les Troyens

Best Diva in Leading Role

Diana Damrau-Rigoletto

Joyce Didonato-Maria Stuarda

Elina Garanca-La Clemenza di Tito

Susan Graham-Les Troyens

Liudmyla Monastyrska-Aida

Best Divo in Leading Role

David Daniels-Giulio Cesare

Giuseppe Filianotti-La Clemenza di Tito

Bryan Hymel-Les Troyens

Jonas Kaufmann-Parsifal

Simon Keenlyside-The Tempest

Best HD Performance

La Clemenza di Tito

Giulio Cesare

Rigoletto

Les Troyens

Parsifal

This was by far the easiest choice in three years. Every component in this production was perfect with a spirited and eyeopening production by Francois Girard. The cast was marvelous with Kaufmann, Pape, Dalayman and Mattei giving groundbreaking performances. Danielle Gatti's conducting was subliminal and stunning. It is truly one of the greatest performance in recent times and one that will go down in the history of the opera.

For more information on Parsifal you can read our review:

http://salazarfamilycircle.blogspot.com/2013/02/met-opera-review-magical-cast-bring.html

STAY TUNED FOR 2012-2013 PREVIEWS AND FOR OUR SEASON WRAP UP.

Blythe Out of Das Rheingold on Saturday

2013-05-03T10:15:00.002-07:00

The Met press office: “Elizabeth Bishop will make her Met role debut as Fricka in Saturday evening’s performance of Wagner’s Das Rheingold, replacingStephanie Blythe, who is ill. As previously scheduled, Bishop will also sing Mère Marie in Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites on Saturday afternoon—a rare instance of a singer performing principal roles in two different operas in the same day.”

Anna Netrebko as Lady Macbeth

2013-05-02T15:46:00.001-07:00

Today at the Marinsky Gala Anna Netrebko Displayed her Verdi skills in Lady Macbeth's first aria. The Aria was recorded in her latest Album and she take on the role next year. Olga Borodina, Placido Domingo, Rene Pape, and Alexy Markov also performed under the direction of Valery Gergiev.

Janos Starker dies at 88

2013-04-29T10:14:00.002-07:00

One of my biggest inspirations has passed away. Janos Starker was one of the greatest cellist. His technique, his musicality were unique and his mentor ship to so many students built Indianna University's amazing program. To the great master Janos Starker, you will always be remembered!

HD Awards 2013 Nominations

2013-04-27T22:09:00.000-07:00

Today I announce my nominations for Salazar Family Circle's Annual HD Awards. I added a couple more categories and I have feeling that will be the end of any new additions. This year was really tricky to pick the best because there were a lot of standout performances and productions. Nonetheless I present the very best in HD this year. Tell us what you think of the nominees and who you think was the best. Let us know if you think we missed something. We will Announce the Winners Later this week!

Best Diva in Leading role

Diana Damrau-Rigoletto

Joyce Didonato-Maria Stuarda

Elina Garanca-La Clemenza di Tito

Susan Graham-Les Troyens

Liudmyla Monastyrska-Aida

Best Divo in Leading role

David Daniels-Giulio Cesare

Giuseppe Filianotti-La Clemenza di Tito

Bryan Hymel-Les Troyens

Jonas Kaufmann-Parsifal

Simon Keenlyside-The Tempest

Best Diva In a supporting role

Olga Borodina-Aida

Alice Coote-Giulio Cesare

Katarina Dalayman-Parsifal

Kate Lindsey-La Clemenza d Tito

Audrey Luna-The Tempest

Best Divo in a supporting role

Mark Delavan-Francesca da Rimini

Christoph Dumaux-Giulio Cesare

Peter Mattei-Parsifal

Rene Pape-Parsifal

Faulk Struckmann-Otello

Best Ensemble in an Opera Production

La Clemenza di Tito

Giulio Cesare

Parsifal

The Tempest

Les Troyens

Best Costume Design in a New or Revival Production

La Clemenza di Tito

Giulio Cesare

Maria Stuarda

Rigoletto

The Tempest

Best Set Design in A New or Revival Production

Giulio Cesare

Parsifal

Rigoletto

The Tempest

Les Troyens

Best Director in a New Production

Francois Girard-Parsifal

Michael Mayer-Rigoletto

David McVicar-Giulio Cesare

Best Conductor in an HD Performance

Thomas Ades-The Tempest

Maurizio Benini-Maria Stuarda

Harry Bicket-Giulio Cesare

Daniele Gatti-Parsifal

Fabio Luisi-Les Troyens

Best Revival Production

La Clemenza di Tito

Francesca Da Rimini

Les Troyens

Best New Production

Giulio Cesare

Parsifal

The Tempest

Best HD performance

La Clemenza di Tito

Giulio Cesare

Rigoletto

Les Troyens

Parsifal

HD Season Comes to A Close!

2013-04-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

This weekend the HD season comes to a close and we want to know which were your favorites, which were the standout performances and which you think should be released on DVD? A Few Days Later I will release my HD award nominees and shortly after will release the winners!

Anna Netrebko and Placido Domingo to sing Trovatore

2013-04-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

It is official Anna Netrebko and Placido Domingo will sing Il Trovatore in Berlin this year. They will be joined by Aleksandrs Antonenko in the title role. Daniel Barenboim will lead the orchestra.

Domingo is also slated to sing Simon Boccanegra while Luidmyla Monastyrska will sing her acclaimed Aida. The company will also present La Boheme, Il Barabiere di Siviglia, Don Carlos and La Traviata. Salome will be presented.

For more information on the Season Click here .

Jonas Kaufmann and Nina Stemme win the International Opera Awards

2013-04-23T20:19:00.003-07:00

On Monday April 22, the Opera Awards were held with Jonas Kaufmann winning two awards as well as Antonio Pappano. Nina Stemme won best Female singer while Dimitri Tcherniakov won best director. The Metropolitan opera took home the best Accessibility award and Best Orchestra.

Complete List of winner below:
Accessibility: Metropolitan Opera, New York
CD Complete Opera: GF Handel’s Alessandro (Decca) CD Operatic Recital: Christian Gerhaher (Sony) Chorus: Cape Town Opera Conductor: Antonio PappanoCostume Designer: Buki Shiff Director: Dmitri Tcherniakov DVD: Il Trittico – Opus Arte Female Singer: Nina Stemme Festival Opera: Salzburg Lifetime: Sir George Christie, Glyndebourne Lighting Designer: Paule Constable Male Singer: Jonas KaufmannNew Production: Invisible City – Netherlands Opera Newcomer: Daniele Rustioni Opera Company: Frankfurt Opera Orchestra: Metropolitan Opera, New YorkPhilanthropist: Sir Peter MooresReaders’ Award: Jonas KaufmannRediscovered Work: Les Arts Florissants for David et Jonathas by Marc-Antoine CharpentierSet Designer: Antony McDonaldYoung Singer: Sophie BevanWorld Premiere: Aix Festival for Written on Skin by George Benjamin

Faust Met Opera 2014-2015 Performances cancelled

2013-04-16T15:50:00.000-07:00

The planned revival of Faust at the Met in the fall of 2014 has been canceled, because according to La Cieca/Parterre sources, Netrebko did not feel like singing the production currently at the Met. As a result the company has under contract Anna Netrebko, Joseph Calleja, Artur Rucinski and René Pape for eight performances or so during that time.

Now that the company has these artists what do you think they should perform?

Sir Colin Davis Dies At 85

2013-04-15T12:26:00.002-07:00

Sir Colin Davis Died on Sunday after a brief Illness. The conductor of the London Symphony was best known for reviving Berlioz's operas and works. He was also known for his interpretations of Tanhauser, Falstaff and Mozart's Operas. We will miss his musicality and his dedication to Classical Music

First Pictures of Eugene Onegin From Vienna

2013-04-14T07:29:00.001-07:00

Anna Netrebko made her role debut as Tatiana at the Vienna State Opera. She sang along Dimitri Hvorostovsky and Dimtri Korchak. Der Kurier stated “Her letter scene was glorious, and her final meeting with Onegin beguiling. Netrebko leaves nothing to be desired vocally and is a consummate artist as well. She has joined the list of the greatest interpreters of this role and is a gift to the world of opera.” The performance was recorded and will be broadcast on the radio on April 27th through OR.

A New Manon Lescaut and Meistersingers

2013-04-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

The Met will get a new production of Manon Lescaut from Richard Eyre. The staging will be a co-production with the Baden Baden Festival that will premiere next year with Eva-Maria Westbroek. Stefan Herheim also announced that his new production of Der Meistersingers will be a co production the New York and Paris.

Casting has not been announced for either production but hopefully Lescaut will star Anna netrebko and Jonas Kaufmann. For Meistersingers most likely Bryn Terfel and Johan Botha will be in the cast

Notable DVDs and CDs for the Month of April

2013-04-05T17:19:00.001-07:00

This month Verdi is celebrated throughout the world with new releases of his greatest and rarest operas.

The first release of the month is Ildar Abdrazakov's new Attila. The bass is one of the greatest interpreters of the role in present times. I had the chance to see him at the Met and he was great. The DVD also stars Marinsky theater singers and is conducted by Vary Gergiev. This will most likely be the first of more Marinsky releases as the company gets bigger.

Another Traviata to add to the collection will be released through the Verdi celebration Tutti Verdi. The cast include Svetla Vassileva and Massimo Giordano. I saw some of the production and it is beautifully conducted by Yuri Temirkanov but the cast is not interesting enough to merit a purchase. It is worth checking it out if anything.

Verdi's rarely heard opera I Vespri Siliciani receives another release with the famous married couple Fabio Armiliato and Daniela Dessi. The production also stars Leo Nucci and Giacomo Prestia. It is worth a viewing but if you want a really great version, check out La Scala's with Cheryl Studer.

Simon Boccanegra gets a another release with an outstanding cast that includes Leo Nucci, Tamar Iveri, Francesco Meli and Roberto Scandiuzzi. The opera is led by the excellent Danielle Callegari.

The Verdi celebration continues with a new release of Falstaff. Ruggero Raimondi stars in the title role with Barbara Frittoli in one of her signature roles. The production is led legendary conductor Zubin Mehta and should be one DVD to watch.

One of the highlights of last year's Salzburg Festival was the sequel to Mozart's the Magic Flute. The music is composed by Peter Von Winter and was received with excellent reviews last year. The cast is stellar and includes Julia Novikova and Michael Schade.

The Met will release a new set of Wagner's greatest works that includes the Ring Cycle, Lohengrin, Tristan und Isolde, The Flying Dutchman, and Lohengrin. The CD set includes Victoria de Los Angeles, Kristen Flagstad, Lauritz Melchoir, Astrid Varnay, Ramon Vinay and Marjorie Lawrence.

Las Vegas Rigoletto Coming to DVD

2013-04-04T22:22:00.000-07:00

The art work to the Met's new Rigoletto has been revealed. The production by Michael Mayer was a huge hit and stars Piotr Beczala, Zeljko Lucic and Diana Damrau in the principal roles. The DVD will be released on May 21 months before it is televised on PBS.

Giulio Cesare Opens Tomorrow

2013-04-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

Handel's most popular opera Giulio Cesare will open tomorrow with Natalie Dessay and David Daniels in the lead roles. Patricia Bardon, Christophe Dumaux, and Alice Coote round out the cast that will be conducted by Harry Bicket. David McVicar will direct his fourth production at the Metropolitan Opera.

For more information click here

Cecilia Bartoli's new Norma Recording

2013-03-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

Decca has just announced the highly antcipated Norma recording by Cecilia Bartoli. Cecilia Bartoli “It was my wish to bring Bellini’s opera closer to the sound world of the bel canto period. Alongside the vocal casting in keeping with the voices at the first performance, a critical edition compiled from the autograph score, adherence to the original tempi, dynamics and phrasing, lowering the pitch to 430 hz and using authentic instruments as of the period all play their part in allowing the manifold nuances of this work to come to the fore, and for the composer’s vision hopefully to be fulfilled.”

Who is looking forward to this recording and her upcoming Salzburg performances which are expected to be recorded for a future DVD release.

Bryan Hymel wins the Beverly Sills Award

2013-03-25T18:55:00.001-07:00

We congratulate tenor Bryan Hymel on winning the Beverly Sills Award.

The Met Press Release:
Tenor Bryan Hymel has been named the recipient of the eighth annual Beverly Sills Artist Award for young singers at the Metropolitan Opera. The $50,000 award, the largest of its kind in the United States, is designated for “extraordinarily gifted singers between the ages of 25 and 40″ who have already appeared in featured solo roles at the Met. The award, given in honor of Beverly Sills, was established in 2006 by an endowment gift from Agnes Varis, a managing director on the Met board, and her husband, Karl Leichtman.

Jose Cura Interview

2013-03-24T11:26:00.001-07:00

David has had the opportunity as of late to interview opera stars with his job Latinos Post. Here is his latest with Jose Cura in which they discussed Otello, the changing opera world and his thoughts on directing. Here is the link to the interview.

Rise Stevens 1913-2013

2013-03-21T20:48:00.002-07:00

We lament the death of the great mezzo Soprano. She died yesterday at age 99. She was truly one of the most fascinating artist of her time and one of the greatest Carmen's the Opera world could ever have. We will miss you dearly Rise Stevens.

Faust Opens Tonight

2013-03-21T15:08:00.001-07:00

Des McAnuff's Faust opens tonight with Piotr Beczala John Relyea and Marina Poplavskaya. The prodution will conducted by Alain Altinoglu.

For more on the production click on our preview linked here.

For our review of the production click here

Vienna State Opera 2013-2014 Season

2013-03-20T20:36:00.001-07:00

The 2013-2014 Vienna State Season was announced with 350 performances being presented. The season will include six new productions and major stars including Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko, Angela Gheorghiu, Placido Domingo, Ramon Vargas, Rolando Villazon, Juan Diego Florez and Edita Gruberova.

The New Productions: "Excuse the spanish"

La fanciulla del West
05. 08. 11. 14. 17. Oct. 2013

Franz Welser-Möst: Director musical

Marco Arturo Marelli: Director de escena

Reparto:

Nina Stemme | Minnie

Tomasz Konieczny | Jack Rance

Jonas Kaufmann | Dick Johnson

Die Zauberflöte

17. 20. 24.27.30. Nov., 02. Dic.2013,

07. 09.13.17. Jun. 2014

Christoph Eschenbach: Director musical

Moshe Leiser: Director de escena

Reparto:

Brindley Sherratt | Sarastro

Benjamin Bruns | Tamino

Olga Pudova | Königin der Nacht

Anita Hartig | Pamina

Markus Werba | Papageno

Rusalka

26. 30. En., 03. 06. 09. Feb. 2014

Jirí Belohlávek: Director musical

Sven-Eric Bechtolf: Director de escena

Reparto:

Michael Schade | Der Prinz

Monika Bohinec | Die fremde Fürstin

Krassimira Stoyanova | Rusalka

Günther Groissböck | Der Wassermann

Janina Baechle | Die Hexe Jezibaba

Adriana Lecouvreur

16. 19. 22. Feb., 04. 08.12. Mar. 2014

Evelino Pidò: Director musical

David McVicar: Director de escena

Reparto:

Elena Zhidkova | La Principessa di Bouillon

Massimo Giordano | Maurizio Graf von Sachsen

Angela Gheorghiu | Adriana Lecouvreur

Roberto Frontali | Michonnet

Lohengrin

12. 16. 20.25. 28. Abr. 2014

Bertrand de Billy: Director musical

Andreas Homoki: Director de escena

Reparto:

Klaus Florian Vogt | Lohengrin

Günther Groissböck | Heinrich der Vogler

Camilla Nylund | Elsa von Brabant

Wolfgang Koch | Friedrich von Telramund

Michaela Martens | Ortrud

Detlef Roth | Der Heerrufer des Königs

Das schlaue Füchslein

18. 21.24.26.30. Jun. 2014

Franz Welser-Möst: Director musical

Otto Schenk: Director de escena

Reparto:

Gerald Finley | Der Förster

Wolfgang Bankl | Háraschta, ein Landstreicher

Chen Reiss | Füchslein Schlaukopf

For more on the season click here\ or visit the vienna state website.