Calixto Bieito – operaexplorer

Emotionally touching “Simon Boccanegra” in Paris with Tezier, Agresta, Kares, Demuro

Following crazy rush for Otello in Munich, Saturday promised a great evening in the opera: one of the most touching Verdi operas conducted by Maestro Luisi, starring one of the favorite baritones Ludovic Tézier, supported by great cast including Mika Kares (what a step-in performance from sidelines in “Hamlet” in Bregenz!), seemingly ever-present Maria Agresta […]

by antrazalite

Florestan betrays Leonore. “Fidelio” by Ludwig van Beethoven, Bayerisches Staatsoper, October 4, 2016

Production of “Fidelio” by Calixto Bieito is already 6 years old, but somehow I have missed the opportunity to get to know it earlier during my previous, quite frequent trips to Munich. Also this time Fidelio was not a primary choice since it came as convenience add-on following highly anticipated Meistersingers, with hope to witness Jonas […]

by antrazalite

The cost of being an outlier: “La Juive”, Fromenthal Halévy, Munich Opera Festival, July 4th, 2016

My first encounter with Fromenthal Halévy and La Juive in opera exploration adventure was approached with care: I have consciously avoided watching premiere streaming and tried to keep away from reviews, except occasional tweet from either enthusiastic or disappointed spectators. This might have paid off since I arrived for performance without any expectations. One of the […]

by antrazalite

Wishlist and plans for operatic adventures in 2016

Starting new year there are a lot of reviews of 2015 and just a few forward looking insights, thus I decided to put together my wishlist (or hopeful list) while absorbed in listening to Jonas Kaufmann singing Puccini at La Scala. Main unknowns yet are Munich Festspiele and Salzburg Festspiele ticket allocations which should come […]