Musically, this double bill of "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci" was excellent through and through. And from a visual perspective, the latter work was certainly worth the price of admission. However, there is still a lot to be desired from the Mascagni opera, which makes this night somewhat of a letdown.
All in all, "The Merry Widow" is not only for opera lovers, but also for those who might be interested in something lighter. With its dance numbers and spoken dialogue, the work could be a hit with Broadway lovers as well as those often daunted by the all-consuming power of the medium. The cast was stellar and the orchestra, led by the peerless Fabio Luisi, really connected with audiences on a visceral level.
This "Don Carlo" had tremendous star power to bring Verdi's wondrous drama to visceral life. Despite an often frustrating production, the singers and musicians were on a level that more than made up for its shortcomings.
"Cubanacan" will a major event as it is the first opera in almost 50 years to come out of Cuba. The work is written by Charles Koppelman and composed by Roberto Valera. The production team recently announced that director Charles Chemin was brought into create the vision for the work's premiere.Chemin has an extensive background in theater and film, but "Cubanacan" will be his first crack at opera. The Frenchman called in from his native country to talk to Latin Post about how he got involved with the project and his vision for bringing Cubanacan to life.
From a vocal perspective, this "Lucia di Lammermoor" is as good as it gets this season at the Met. Every singer brought finesse and true bel canto to every musical number. The production, despite some moments of continued annoyance, is among the most subtly brilliant at the Met in recent years and certainly worth a watch.
Legendary opera singer Placido Domingo talks to Latin Post about his career and future. "Changing the Game" is a Q&A segment on the career journey of an influential Latino(a) from across industries.
All in all, this "Ernani," which starred Placido Domingo and Francesco Meli, provided Met Opera audiences with an opportunity to experience some of Verdi's most memorable melodies with some strong dramatic singing.
The 2014-15 season at the Met is fast approaching its end. And yet, it still has a tremendous amount left in store, starting with this "Manon," which is undoubtedly one of the finest productions of the season. Unfortunately the dramatic genius of Grigolo, Damrau, Villaume and the supporting cast will not be immortalized on the Met's Live in HD series (a true shame), so audiences looking to witness this irresistible chemistry onstage will have to flock to the theater before it ends its run March 28. And there is no doubt that they should. This is as unforgettable as it gets.
"Carmen" is one of the best known operas in the entire cannon and when combined with a terrific cast and great production, it could easily be the best. There is no doubt that the cast assembled for the March 7 performance hit that benchmark in every possible way.
All in all, this is as balanced a "Don Giovanni" as one would hope for. The eponymous character stands above and beyond the rest, but the other cast members manage to carve out meaningful arcs for their characters that add layers of complexity to this most fascinating of works.
Rossini's "La Donna del Lago" is not a particularly gripping opera from a dramatic standpoint, but there can be no doubt that the singing in the Metropolitan Opera's current production is as masterful as it comes. This season, Rossini's "La Donna Del Lago" followed in the footsteps of those operas with superstars Joyce DiDonato and Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez leading the cast.
Recently, soprano Ailyn Perez spoke with NY Students as part of the Metropolitan Opera Guild's four-day intensive program to prepare aspiring music students for their next big step.
Bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni of Venezuela talks to Latin Post about his career highlights, his love for Leoporello and his desire to culminate his career singing Verdi.
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2015-16 season with six new productions and 227 performances in total, and the season will include some of operas biggest stars and many Latino stars.
This double bill of "Iolanta" and "Bluebeard's Castle" certainly puts audiences through distinct journeys and emotional levels. When he took over the Met Opera, general manager Peter Gelb expressed a desire to make opera a richer experience that satisfied audiences seeking multi-faceted experiences. This production, despite its shortcomings, certainly fulfills that desire and represents a great success for the company.
This run of "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" could not have ended on a higher note. In all ways, this was a truly masterful portrayal of a work often unfairly overlooked because of its unfinished state. The next cast, which takes the stage on Feb. 28, will undoubtedly bring tremendous pleasures to its audience, but even then it will have a tough act to follow.
Puccini's "La Boheme" is a staple at the Met, but it is presented so often that it can come off as routine and uninteresting. But, the performers on display for the latest run have proven why this opera is so enduring and that it is possible to constantly to breathe new life into it.
