Vienna 17/18 (and some Munich)

While the TADW 17/18 announcement doesn’t even have a publicized date yet, the Staatsoper did hold its press conference yesterday, which I would have missed even if livestreamed (was it?) because of conferences of my own.

Given that it is the Staatsoper, I commend Meyer for programming a few things off the beaten mainstream path (and for hiring Susanna Mälkki to conduct one of them). My main question of “But the Ariodante?!” has been answered: Sarah Connolly.

Yaaaaaaaaay! Way to score a lead with Vienna Staatsoper in one of her signature roles.

Let’s hope the winter won’ t be too hard and long because that will be a long couple of days in the standing room queue!

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Video Alert: Thinking about Romina Basso

It’s all my baby brother’s fault. This all started because he – the Cooking Scientist – called me when he came back from Beaune, after a weekend of Baroque, escargots and cassis, with a crush on Romina Basso.

CGMP: Iris Vermillion

[Photo Credit: Andreas Birkigt, Oper Leipzig. – Iris Vermillion in Nono’s “Al gran sole…”, Leipzig 2009]

The Zurich “Agrippina”: Impressions

Curtain Calls, “Agrippina” in Zurich, 26.05.09. – Marijana Mijanovic, Anna Bonitatibus, Laszlo Polgár.

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The May 26th “Agrippina”  – aka “The Night That Kasarova Didn’t Sing” – was fantastic anyway. Marijana Mijanovic in dress whites kind of makes you forget that there is anyone else supposed to be singing. Or breathing. Then Anna Bonitatibus redefines your heretofore decidedly limited concept of “coloratura” and just as you think you could die happily, Laszlo Polgar sings “Vieni oh cara” and you’re ridiculously happy that you didn’t die before you got a chance to hear that.

That’s the short version. Extended edition with more photos (in case of doubt, click to enlarge) after the cut.

“Agrippina”: an aside

[Vesselina Kasarova as “Agrippina”, Zurich 2009. – Photo Credit: Susanne Schwiertz, Zurich Opera]

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Mezzo in Moscow – chacun à son goût!

While I was actually searching for first reviews of the “Agrippina” opening in Zürich, a look at the search terms for yesterday made it clear that most people ending up over here these days seem to have different priorities, namely, the admittedly impressive physique of prime mezzo Malena Ernman. Or perhaps people are simply trying to find out (much as I did) who the ominous “Ernman’s Arms” army of drooling dykes is that keeps being mentioned in the ESC related gossip media.

If you find them, please pass me the link. I am curious!

Meanwhile, there’s gossip and serious flexing (hat tip @Svenne!) after the cut.