The world-famous singer, conductor and the holder of 14 Grammy Awards Plácido Domingo came up, as conductor and artistic director, with a unique Don Giovanni at the Estates Theatre Prague, where the opera had its premiere 230 years ago. The production boasts an original classic scene, traditional costumes, designed by Theodor Pištek, the Oscar winner “Best costume design” for the Amadeus movie and authentic stage direction matching the performance features from 1787. The production is conceived as a replica of the legendary staging by the National Theatre Opera from 1969. The opera shines under the direction of Jirí Nekvasil, which is further enhanced by stars of the Czech opera scene, handpicked by Maestro Domingo himself. Also adding vitality to the production are four winners of the renowned, international vocal competition, Operalia, which Domingo himself founded in 1993: Irina Lungu, Dmitry Korchak, Julia Novikova, and Simone Alberghini. “The palpable sense of history, enthusiasm of the cast and excitement of the star conductor all contributed to an atmosphere that made the performance seem larger than life.” (Bachtrack)
Opera Gala für die deutsche Aids Stiftung
Excerpts from the musical program of the 5th Opera Gala for the German AIDS Foundation on 21 May 2016 at the Bonn Opera House. Featuring renowned singes like Simone Kermes, Roberto De Biasio and Robin Johannsen.
Monteverdi Cycle from Berlin: Orpheus
Monteverdi’s La Favola d’Orfeo is acknowledged as the very first opera, his three surviving complete operas are accordingly right at the start of operatic history, and yet Berlin’s Komische Oper has succeeded in making these three works “so modern and thrilling” that, as Bayerischer Rundfunk said, “the 400 intervening years sometimes seemed to have been eliminated”. In a stage production by Barrie Kosky and a new instrumentation by the Tashkent-born, internationally successful composer Elena Kats-Chernin, conductor André de Ridder presents a brilliantly selected ensemble, comprising 32 soloists and a supporting cast of over 200. The electrifying curtain-raiser is Orpheus, compelling as a rich feast of the senses in a lush blooming stage Arcadia, peopled by a fantastic company of nymphs and satyrs. Amid joyful song and captivating dance interludes, the mythical singer’s passionate young love for Eurydice blossoms till its tragic end at her death.
Salzburg Festival 2012: Das Labyrinth
2012 marked the 200th anniversary of the death of Emanuel Schikaneder, certainly one of the most original and influential theater impresarios of his time and generation. What is less well-known is the fact that Schikaneder himself wrote a second part for The Magic Flute, entitled Das Labyrinth oder Der Kampf mit den Elementen (The Labyrinth, or the Struggle with the Elements). Schikaneder entrusted this work to the Bavarian composer Peter von Winter, widely celebrated in Vienna at the time. Ivor Bolton conducts his Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra energetically, smoothly and elegantly, bringing out the best in Winter’s charming music with its cleverly interwoven echoes of Mozart. The soloists are from the top drawer: Michael Schade triumphs as Tamino, while Thomas Tatzl and Anton Scharinger are a brilliant young and old Papageno. Coloratura soprano Julia Novikova is in full command of her role as the Queen of the Night.
Opera Gala Bonn
5th Opera Gala in Bonn, Germany for the German AIDS Foundation. PROGRAM: Arias and scenes from operas by Mozart, Verdi, Donizetti, Rossini, Gounod, Beethoven, Delibes, Offenbach, Curtis, de Arditi, Johann Strauss.