Travelling and enjoying opera performances
This was my second attempt to see Rossini’s “Semiramide” live since premiere at Bayerische Staatsoper – even if I had sourced so highly demanded ticket, severe bronchitis kept me home last spring – in fact, the only time I had to give up the performance due to health issue. Despite all obstacles I have seen […]
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It is undisputably great initiative undertaken by Deutsche Oper Berlin in reviving grand operas of Giacomo Meyerbeer – the success of Les Huguenots last year put very high expectation for this year continuation in Le Prophete. Highly anticipated, previously unseen by me, – and great cast assembled to tell the story. The opera addresses challenges […]
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The performance of Tannhäuser was not my orginal intent when planning trip to Berlin, – Le Prophete the next day at Duetsche Oper Berlin was the point of focal interest, but the flight options permitted to squeeze another performance on the day of arrival, and from all available choices offered by Berlin opera scene, Tannhäuser […]
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The announcement of the 2017/2018 season at Wiener Staatsoper immediately defined two must- see performances for my schedule, and both promised unforgettable experiences. First one was “Adriana Lecouvreur” with Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala, and another one “Samson et Dalila” featuring Elīna Garanča in the title role – November and May respectively. On the morning […]
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The night was not my prime purpose coming to Vienna – as the flight departs in the afternoon, and I already had some issue with sudden delays and almost missed performance, this time I decided to take precautions and go on the previous day, which luckily coincided with short working day before our Independence day […]
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The season opening at the Opera National de Paris set high expectations with the most sought-after ticket of the season and actually unmatchable vocal feast – a starry constellation to die for! Just a glimpse at the cast list would make any opera lover to sacrifice a lot just to be there in October for […]
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Another first time for discovering new opera in live performance – I have seen Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” recorded on Mezzo, while nothing compares to the live experience with excellent orchestra led by legendary conductor and proper cast and staging. This was one excellent evening full of excitement and great musical experiences. Regardless of […]
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This was one of the most saught-after performances, and without doubt, the hottest ticket of the summer opera festivals season. A new production of “Aida”, to be conducted by renowned Verdian specialist Riccardo Muti, and starring Anna Netrebko in her role debut, supported by equally strong cast – numerous reviews were pouring in immediately after […]
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Need to admit a gap in my opera education: it was my first Alban Berg opera live, – since MetHD does not count, and first Wozzeck ever. Probably, each opera comes to the exploration path in its right time, so I have not built any specific expectations except general knowledge and some excerpts seen and […]
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My intent when booking the ticket for another “Tales of Hoffmann” was to see Aleksandra Kurzak interpreting all 4 roles, and to see how Ildar Abdrazakov will play 4 various villains. None of it materialised since both pulled out and were replaced: Kurzak by a combo of Olga Pudova and Diana Damrau, and Abdrazakov by […]
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