With no operatic offerings on the TV schedules this festive season, we can at least look forward to the Bavarian State Opera's latest livestream.
On Saturday, December 28, Martin Kušej’s new production of La forza del destino will be streamed live from Munich on Staatsoper.TV. Jonas Kaufmann and Anja Harteros star, and Asher Fisch conducts.
The live broadcast starts at 18:00 CET (5pm UK, 12pm EST).
Official photos below, with more here.
"no operatic offerings on the TV schedules this festive season"
How very depressing.
Especially when there's a fair bit of ballet (the Royal Ballet Don Quixote and Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty on BBC and the three big Tchaikovsky ballets on Sky Arts).
Virtually nothing musical on BBC 4, the supposed niche channel, apart from a repeat of the John Wilson film music Prom.
Sky Arts is even worse unless you're a fan of John Barrowman or Andre Rieu.
Still at least I haven't spotted any obvious Katherine Jenkins yet.
Posted by: PushedUpMezzo | 20 December 2013 at 04:46 PM
I think back to several decades ago when in New York there would be operas broadcast on commercial stations at the holidays. Today, one doesn't even get them on public television in some major cities, and then only Met HD repeats, and nothing else. Not even that old Menotti bore, Amahl and the Night Visitors.
Undoubtedly there will be another Nutcracker showing in the next week, usually Christmas Eve. Yawn. The same one over and over, despite virtually every ballet company in the world doing a Nutcracker each year. Show something new!
Posted by: Sheila | 21 December 2013 at 02:23 AM
It isn't depressing: it's disgraceful.
Lord Hall of Gladhand made big mouth about reinvigorating the BBC's arts coverage the minute he returned whence he came earlier this year. And this is the result. He's had quite enough time back in Broadcasting House to have had some visible effect on the schedules for this Christmas if he had so chosen. Pitiable.
Posted by: SJT | 21 December 2013 at 03:01 AM
Not much glitter and tinsel there then ......... We can get an earlier taster, because according to the Jonas Unofficial website, BR Klassik Radio are broadcasting it live from BOS tomorrow night (Sunday) at 19.00 their time.
Posted by: villagediva | 21 December 2013 at 10:13 AM
Another chance to enjoy it here on jan 4
http://www.francemusique.fr/emission/soiree-lyrique/2013-2014/la-force-du-destin-de-giuseppe-verdi-01-04-2014-00-00
Be a nice present for New Year! best wishes to you all!
Posted by: yvette | 21 December 2013 at 11:36 AM
I was at the General Rehearsal and both were in excellent voice. This opera suits both of them even more than Trovatore. The production was a bit tame for my taste. Will be there again tomorrow for the Premiere.
Posted by: Feldmarschallin | 21 December 2013 at 11:54 AM
Thanks Intermezzo for helping me decide to spend that particular evening in a more pleasant way (and I'm sure Santa Claus will appreciate your good deed). Life is hard, the euro crisis is not over yet, and, after all, it's Christmas!
Posted by: Kassandra | 21 December 2013 at 07:53 PM
There's some kind of "Audience with Katherine Jenkins" type show on BBC1 or BBC2 at Christmas - early afternoon some time this week, I remember seeing it in the Radio Times and shuddering.
Posted by: Faye | 23 December 2013 at 10:28 AM