What would you do for love if it meant turning against all that you know? Based on the film by Lars von Triers, composer Missy Mizzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek have created a modern masterpiece in their opera Breaking the Waves. This production stars Kiera Duffy and Benjamin Taylor. (April 6-14) https://detroitopera.org/season-schedule/breaking-the-waves/
Although Laura Kaminsky’s opera As One premiered in 2014, its libretto by Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed exploring gender identity has never been more relevant. Kentucky Opera will present the work April 12-19. https://kyopera.org/as-one/
On April 18-21, Opera Carolina will perform Saint-Saëns’s Samson and Delilah, a biblical drama of seduction and betrayal. The cast includes Alyson Cambridge, Kyle Van Schoonhoven, and Donovan Singletary. https://operacarolina.org/2023-2024/
San Jose Opera will produce its first-ever Spanish-language opera, Florencia en al Amazones by Mexican composer Daniel Catan. Directed by Crystal Manich and conducted by Joseph Marcheso, the opera is based on Gabriel García Márquez’s novel Love in the Time of Cholera. Performances run April 20-May 5. https://www.operasj.org/
The Irish National Opera and the Irish Baroque Orchestra have teamed up over the past few seasons to present the operas of Vivaldi. This time, it’s L’Olimpiade, April 20-June 1. Mezzo-soprano Gemma Ní Bhriain stars, with Peter Whelan conducting a production staged by Daisy Evans. https://www.irishnationalopera.ie/whats-on/current-upcoming-productions/lolimpiade
Combining two short works into one new production directed by Tamara Trunova, the Bavarian State Opera will present Respighi’s Lucrezia and Carl Orff’s Der Mond (“The Moon”) April 24-May 4. Ustina Dubitsky conducts; the cast includes Natalie Lewis, Louise Foor, and Liam Bonthrone. https://www.staatsoper.de/en/productions/lucrezia-mond-opst-prod-24/2024-04-24-1930-14183
From April 25-June 14, Deutsch Oper Berlin will mount a new production of Strauss’ Intermezzo, directed by Tobias Kratzer; it is his second of three new Strauss productions planned with DOB. Maria Bengtsson and Thomas Johannes Mayer star, with Donald Runnicles on the podium. https://deutscheoperberlin.de/en_EN/calendar/intermezzo.17512231
Delayed by the pandemic, Vladimir Jurowski’s planned Ring cycle at last reaches its conclusion as he conducts a semi-staged production of Wagner’s Götterdämmerung with the London Philharmonic on April 27. The cast includes Burkhard Fritz as Siegfried and Svetlana Sozdateleva as Brünnhilde. https://lpo.org.uk/event/gotterdammerung/
The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson will be performed by Pittsburgh Opera April 27-May 5, marking the first time it’s been done in the main character’s native city. This play by Sandra Seaton tells the story of visionary impresaria Dawson, who founded the National Negro Opera Company. The score includes excerpts from Carmen and new […]
