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Caligula - English National Opera, 25 May (first night)
Benedict Andrews' production looks spectacular, but buried beneath the glitter and lipstick and guns and underpants, is a rather slight opera. Detlev Glanert's Caligula, based on Albert Camus' play of the same name, explores the psychology of tyranny in the form of the notorious Roman Emperor. Unfortunately, nothing much happens - fine in a play, fatal for opera.
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Best stalls seats for the Royal Opera House's latest Salome revival are chopped down to £65 (previously up to £120) with this Evening Standard offer, valid for performances on 8, 14 and 16 June only.
Either book online entering the code essalome before picking seats, or call the Box Office on 020 7304 4000, quoting ‘ES Salome offer’.
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The Royal Albert Hall have just announced that the excellent Ramón Vargas will replace Jonas Kaufmann for the 6 June concert.
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The good news - although Petroc Trelawny is not yet back in the UK, he is at least back on Twitter.
In case anyone thinks he's been taking it easy over in Zimbabwe, here is what he tweeted at 7:11pm UK time:
He added in swift succession:
"to clarify - story in Standard about my lawyer RUBBISH. Could not be happier with my legal representation here"
"fantastic treatment for my arm from nurses and doctors at United Bulawayo Hospital. True charity and devotion"
"in good spirits. Thanks for so much amazing support from home. Perhaps a small glass of wine tonight."
"sadly all not over but hope to be home soon xx"
And now the bad news - although the Attorney General of Zimbabwe dismissed the initial charge of failing to obtain a Temporary Employment Permit, the immigration authorities have filed a new one: violating the conditions of his entry into the country on a tourist visa. This charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Petroc will appear before the courts again tomorrow.
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There are now well over 100 comments on the two posts about Jonas Kaufmann's cancellations.
And one of them comes from Kasper Holten, who is "happy to offer a little masochism [but not a refund, naturellement] by repeating how sorry we are about all the recent cast changes". Read more of what he had to say here.
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Bryn Terfel's Valhalla experience may come in handy when he carries the Olympic torch to Bangor later today.
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Just announced - Jonas Kaufmann has cancelled his Wigmore Hall date on 10 June.
He's also pulled out of the Royal Albert Hall concert on 6 June, which will now go ahead with just Netrebko and Schrott.
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It's time for the third round of the Bavarian State Opera's Ring cycle.
Siegfried premieres at 16:00 CET today (3pm UK ) and will be broadcast live on BR.
Kent Nagano conducts and Lance Ryan is Siegfried (Jedward failed the audition).
Production photos below.
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Here's a German TV feature on the Rolando Villazon-directed L'Elisir d'Amore, which opens at the Festspielhaus Baden Baden on Monday. Horses, it seems, are this year's thing.
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Jonas Kaufmann has withdrawn from Les Troyens due to "a protracted infection", the ROH has just announced.
Presumably this means his 6 June Royal Albert Hall concert with Netrebko and Schrott and his 10 June Wigmore Hall date are also out of the window.
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While you're enjoying your summer weekend, spare a thought for Radio 3 presenter Petroc Trelawny, who is spending his in a Zimbabwe jail.
According to the Daily Telegraph, he was generously compering a Bulawayo music festival for free when he was arrested for not having a work permit.
A New Zealand journalist recently released from prison in Zimbabwe was "strip-searched and kept in a cramped and filthy cell with 38 other prisoners". His crime? Nothing more serious than reporting without accreditation. "I was at the mercy of a system where laws are bent to fit politics and human rights are regularly disregarded," he said.
Petroc is receiving consular assistance and is expected to be let out on Monday.
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Tomorrow (Sunday 27 May) evening's performance of Giulio Cesare will be streamed from Salzburg by ARTE TV - and you can watch it right here.
Or on ARTE's own website if you prefer.
The new Leiser and Caurier production - photos here - features Andreas Scholl as Giulio Cesare, Cecilia Bartoli as Cleopatra, Anne Sofie von Otter as Cornelia, Philippe Jaroussky as Sesto and Christophe Dumaux as Tolomeo.
The live performance begins at 17:00 CET, and the streaming at 20:42 (7.42pm UK time). The video will remain available on demand for 2 months.
Warning - may not be available in all countries.
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As this year's Salzburg Whitsun Festival kicks off, the first under Cecilia Bartoli's artistic leadership, the details of next year's programme have been revealed.
The theme is Sacrifice. Or should that be Controversy? The centrepiece is Norma, with Bartoli in the title role. Read the programme to find out why she thinks Norma is really a mezzo.
Leiser and Caurier direct and a new critical edition of the score has been produced, reinstating old cuts and implementing some of Bellini's annotations.
More controversy - La Ceci will also perform in Brahms' Deutsches Requiem alongside Rene Pape and Daniel Barenboim's West Eastern Divan Orchestra.
To round off the weekend, Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky perform an all-Stravinsky programme, and Andras Schiff gives a recital.
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It's fair to say orchestra director Jan Nast is pretty excited about Christian Thielemann taking the reins as principal conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden. Just look at the slogan on the Staatskapelle's website (above). Not to mention the 'Arrived' posters he's had plastered over Dresden bus stops (below).
Continue reading "Shall I compare thee to a microchip plant?" »
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SUM - Royal Opera Linbury Studio, 23 May 2012 (world premiere)
Spot the difference.
A couple of years ago the notorious Bono-collaborator Brian Eno created a multimedia production for the Brighton Festival based on neuroscientist David Eagleman’s book Sum: 40 Tales From The Afterlives. Eno supplied a noodly, Eno-y soundtrack for a selection of readings from Eagleman's quirky stories about what might happen after we die.
Last night Wayne McGregor and his composing collaborator Max Richter created a multimedia production for the Royal Opera House based on neuroscientist David Eagleman’s book Sum: 40 Tales From The Afterlives. Richter supplied a noodly, Eno-y soundtrack for a selection of readings from Eagleman's quirky stories about what might happen after we die.
Continue reading "Where's Rupert the horse when you need him?" »
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Most singers with a job on the side say they wear two hats. Cecilia Bartoli sees her joint role as star and artistic director of the Salzburg Whitsun Festival in more intimate terms.
Responding to Anna Netrebko's late withdrawal she said “For the first time in my career, I feel two hearts beat in my breast: the familiar singer’s heart, and the new heart of the artistic director. Who, if not I as a singer, can understand better how Anna feels? Due to an illness, one is forced to disappoint the audience and cancel an important concert. At such moments, one feels miserable and lonely…"
Mojca Erdmann will now take Netrebko's place in the world premiere of Rodion Shchedrin’s Cleopatra and the Snake – a piece she must learn in two days. La Ceci herself will add bonus star power to the evening with two Mozart works - on top of a solo recital and two five-hour Giulio Cesare performances - all in four days. Now that's dedication.
Anyone around Austria way can watch a recording of Giulio Cesare on 28 May on the ORF2 channel.
See Philippe Jaroussky grappling his asp and more in the production photos below.
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Three enterprising Danish singers are about to introduce pop-up opera to Berlin. Anyone who leaves their email address with Home Opera will be sent details of the venue - a centrally-located apartment - a few hours before tomorrow evening's performance. Guests will be able to buy drinks in the kitchen before settling on the apartment's sofa to hear songs and arias accompanied by piano. The admission charge of up to €15 varies depending on the ability to pay.
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While Egypt gets its first taste of democracy, guests at Salzburg's Whitsun Festival will be treated to a taste of Egypt. After they've watched Cecilia Bartoli as Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare in Egitto on 27 May, the privileged section of the audience who stumped up the €€€ will decamp to the splendid Karl-Böhm-Saal for an Egyptian feast. Traditional Egyptian music will accompany the goat cheese-stuffed dates, pita bread and tahini, and belly dancer Nabila has been recruited for the purpose of "spreading oriental flair".
Forget the traditional spaghetti - this opens up a whole raft of opera-themed dinner possibilities. How about a nice platter of Schwartenmagen after your Salome for starters?
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For those who missed Saturday's Champion's League final (and I'm sure many of you tried your hardest), here's an amuse-gueule before Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest - and a terrifying premonition of what the Olympics have in store for us. Man in the giant hamster wheel ball, I salute you.
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Los Angeles' major performing arts complex, the Music Center, is auctioning a range of items online to raise funds for its activities.
So far, the opportunity to meet Plácido Domingo (and watch his opening night in I due Foscari, with hotel, champagne, dinner etc all thrown in) has attracted only one bid, which at $2,000 is some way below the estimated value of the goodies on offer. So, with less than 24 hours until the virtual hammer descends, Plácido could be yours for a knockdown price.
And in case you're wondering, the photo shows him singing at the celebrations for Real Madrid's Spanish league title at the Bernabeu last weekend. No lip synching required.
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